Tags
2012 Baw Baw Challenge, backgrounds, Baw Baw, clouds, CS5, cycling, cyclists, HDR, images, Nikon D300s, photography, Photos, Photoshop, postaday, power lines, rain, skies, weeds
Over the last couple of days I have been showing some images that I took in between the cycling. You have seen how the weather was. For those images, all of them, I was able to get 5 images and make HDR’s for all them. For the cycling, I wasn’t able to do that, and because I couldn’t, I couldn’t always get the images I wanted, or would have liked.
This image, well everything in the foreground is OK, but the background is disappointing. Nothing I can do about the soupy looking sky. I have tried a few things, putting in a new background, but the trees and shrubs made it too hard. I can’t just darken the sky, because there is nothing there to darken. I could have zoomed in more on the cyclists, but then it would have been an image all about the cyclists and nothing about where they are.
You have seen a similar image to this one. I took this on the same road that the photos from the last 2 days ago were taken. I think this image works better than the first one. It shows you the weather and the conditions the riders were riding in, but there is enough information in the background to give you an idea of where they were riding as well.
This image is closed in more, and the sky is not so important. I think you can still tell that the weather is horrible, though, even with bad weather, the cyclists are enjoying themselves. It is lovely photographing an event like this, the people riding their bikes are so friendly and they ride past you yelling out hello and waving.
I used my larger lens for this image, the aperture was open right up which then gave me this great short depth of field. I really like the blurred background. I think if I had used my tripod it may have been different. I would like to say that I may have another go at photographing it, but I know that isn’t going to happen. It would have been interesting to do a HDR, but I didn’t take enough images to do that. I didn’t want to play around and do bracketed shots with the camera I was using to photograph the cyclists. It is only asking for trouble.
I zoomed right into the farm and the power lines. There is no way I would live anywhere near these things. There is too much anecdotal information out there that would make me worry. My husband said something about it the other day, he wouldn’t want to be a guinea pig.
Again this image is just one image, no HDR. I believe it would have been better if they were HDR’s, but I didn’t get one, so it doesn’t matter. I think it gives a lot of atmosphere and you really get an idea of what the day was like. I still feel cold when I look at the image.
I know that I do a lot of HDR’s these days, and the process can be overused, but after looking at the images from the last couple of days and then these, sometimes HDR is the only way to go.
Xandré Verkes said:
I agree Leanne – although it is not always possible to do HDR, I also tend to lean towards the results that HDR give you!!
**
Leanne Cole said:
I like HDR, I won’t lie, I think I am addicted to it. Though it just isn’t always possible to get the shots you need to do them.
☆ MagicAperture said:
Hello Leanne, I must say it’s refreshing to see non HDR images, I am one of those who think it’s overused and inasmuch as I have enjoyed some of your shots – in particular those with prominent clouds in them – I feel the shots above are good as they are. The shot of the thistles (are they thistles?) is truly lovely and I really can’t see what HDR would have added to it, you would have had far too much detail on an image, the beauty of which is in the softness and blurriness.
Leanne Cole said:
I agree with you to a certain point. Though I think it would have been interesting to try a HDR with the thistles, not for the background, but it would have nice to try a series of shots, where each head was in focus and then put them together, not sure how it would have worked, but would be nice to try some like that. Of course, a smaller aperture might have achieved the same thing. I do love how the background is blurred away.
☆ MagicAperture said:
Yes, the background is lovely and creamy, a nice bokeh as they say!
Leanne Cole said:
I’ve heard that term before, does it mean really blurred background?
Tan images said:
Thank you; Great work here!!
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you, and thanks for taking the time to let me know.
Colline said:
Even though the weather was not so good, whatever you did to the images made me focus more on the cyclists than the background.
I would not want to live near powerlines either. My husband and I looked at a couple of houses and even though they were priced lower, we decided the risk was not wirth it.
Leanne Cole said:
The images are cycling images, I just like to put some background in them to help give an idea of where they are. I always try for good scenery to use as a backdrop. The point of focus, as you say, is the cyclists.
My husband would agree with yours. I think I would too. There is too much information, whether it is true or not, to make me think that it isn’t worth the risk. No thanks.
gardenfreshtomatoes said:
I really like the shot of the cyclist waving to you – it says a lot. He’s doing something he enjoys, in spite of the weather. He’s not setting any speed records, or racing for a prize. The happy face and the wave for the Lady with the Camera…it’s a joyful thing.
(Ok, that’s disjointed…now *I* need more coffee…)
Leanne Cole said:
Yes, it is so true, they come past me with big smiles, obviously having a wonderful time. It is so nice to photograph an event that isn’t so serious, like racing.
I’m ready for my first coffee for the day now.
Liz said:
I love the cyclist waving to you – cool shirt.
Leanne Cole said:
I had lots of those. When I am photographing the racing, I sometimes get people pulling faces or waving, but not much. This was lovely. No one disappointed, just everyone having fun, in spite of the weather.
seekraz said:
All of them are very pretty…I especially enjoy the waving cyclist and the flowers…very nice.
Leanne Cole said:
Thank you, it was a great day, I was so happy with the images I got and I think lots of other people were happy with how their day turned out as well.
seekraz said:
You’re very welcome.
Dave said:
I like the third shot. I can’t decide whether they are smiling or grimacing… Great.
Leanne Cole said:
I am pretty sure they were smiling. It wasn’t an especially hard ride, and I think nearly everyone had a great day.
wannabephotographer87 said:
HAHA The cyclists seem very excited that you were out there taking pictures! I love the guy waving, what a sweetie
The sky looks amazing, I know winter weather is kind of depressing, I know, being here in Oregon we get a lot of it HAHA! But the clouds and fog are beautiful 
Leanne Cole said:
It was a really strange day, by the time they had finished the sun was out and there was no sign of the rain. So they started in bad weather but finished in beautiful weather. I think everyone had a great time. The weather here is a bit weird, we do get 4 seasons in one day at times.
zelmare said:
Hi! trying to do a bit of catch-up after a few hectic days, so I might miss a few posts. Like your pictures, Leanne, as always! Agree with you about the first one. There are pictures that is a bit disappointing and you can do very little about. Although you might think it’s not that good, (because of what you expected) it is still a lovely picture.
My fave of this batch is #2.
Leanne Cole said:
Hey don’t stress about keeping up with me here, you have a lot going on, I understand that, you look after you.
Thanks, I think the expression and the wave from the rider in number 2 is really what saves it. I think because he seems happy doing what he is doing we are happy to watch him. He helps make the image.