Another bash at bluebells

[Josh Bear]

Dear All,

I know it is usual to only post one picture at a time but I wanted to show all three on this occasion. Saw this wood last year but couldn't get access. This year there was a horse show on in the adjoining field and by paying a fiver spectators could park and gain access to the woods to watch the horses. The added bonus of course is access to the bluebells.

Comments and critique welcome.

best regards

Josh

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Another bash at bluebells

It was well worth the Fiver Josh! A carpet of bluebells in the wood, great! The added interest of horse & rider in the 2nd shot, magnificent, especially with the purple & green in his uniform complimenting the scenery!

[Tom]

Re: Another bash at bluebells

I have heard it said that one of the hardest flowers to photograph for exact colour recording is the bluebell. These ones look very good to my untrained eye.
Is the horse galloping accross the bluebells? a protected species I believe. Was the background in the third one blurred in camera or PS?

[Josh Bear]

Re: Another bash at bluebells

Hi tom,

There was a path through the bluebells for the horse and people. And in the third picture it was done in camera.

best regards
Josh

[Tinka]

Re: Another bash at bluebells

Hi Josh,
I like the images, superb, reminds me of how the woods looked every year when I was a child, sadly scenes like this are few and rare these days in comparison, I especially like the second image with horse and rider, a great capture.

[Caz]

Re: Another bash at bluebells

Beautifully captured. A nice, open wood. My favourite is also the second one.

We're lucky round here that there are still several woods like this, notably at Badby and nearby Fawsley. The bluebells also grow wild in the verges. Was walking the dog tonight along Butterfly Lane (as it's known hereabouts) and there were one or two small clumps, but unfortunately the nettles are already taller than the bluebells!

Caz

[Ian]

Re: Another bash at bluebells

I have heard it said that one of the hardest flowers to photograph for exact colour recording is the bluebell. These ones look very good to my untrained eye.
Is the horse galloping accross the bluebells? a protected species I believe. Was the background in the third one blurred in camera or PS?

Yes, Josh's capture of the colour looks spot on to me. I wonder if the colour accuracy issue was more to do with film?

Ian

[Pol]

Re: Another bash at bluebells

All of them very nice shots, Josh.

However - I wonder if perhaps they might 'pop' a little more with some extra post processing?

I took the liberty of doing a little tweaking of the first one, using adjustment layers of levels and curves, also finished off with some slight sharpening. I'm attaching the end result.

Whad'ya reckon?

Pol

[Blithe]

Re: Another bash at bluebells

Well, I think the purpose of photographs such as these is to make the viewer want to see the scene for themselves - and in this respect you certainly have. I like the first, with the texture of the bark and the feeling that it goes on and on. I want to peer round that tree to the right. For me, it seems odd seeing the horse looking as though it's almost gliding over the bluebells - it is a 'different' bluebell photograph.

The last one has to be my favourite - the archetypal bluebell wood I guess. Light and shade with the hazy distance, and what a colour.

And, they're still not fully out up here!

[Josh Bear]

Re: Another bash at bluebells

thanks all for the comments. I do like what you have done with the picture Pol. I still think I am being too conservative with lightroom conversion.

best regards
josh

[Pol]

Re: Another bash at bluebells

thanks all for the comments. I do like what you have done with the picture Pol. I still think I am being too conservative with lightroom conversion.

best regards
josh

I'm often told I'm being too conservative and subtle with my post processing too.

I don't have Lightroom so I can't comment on LR methods - nor have I upgraded to CS3 yet as I've injured my left arm/hand and can't use the 'puters very efficiently atm so it's not worth me going for the upgrade yet. Therefore I simply used adjustment layers is CS2 (levels and curves) and tweaked using the eyedroppers. Finished off with a slight smart sharpen iirc.

I usually find I get a better print if I enhance the contrast and sharpen up the lines and textures.

Yours is indeed a beautiful capture though.

Pol

[vlarcombe]

Re: Another bash at bluebells

Hi Tom,

Great captures. It seems to have been a very good year for bluebells (unfortunately I've not had a chance to get out to them with the camera and they seem a little past their best around here now). I prefer the shots without the horse and rider, not for any technical or artistic reasons, It's just that a "lonely" bluebell wood has more personal resonance.

Hi Pol, I'm not sure if you've improved this for me. I think some of the delicacy of the flowers has been lost not sure if this is down to the saturation or the sharpening.

Vernon.