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General => Contests => NWDA 2015 Theme Challenge - Iceland => Topic started by: AP on November 04, 2014, 01:44:13 PM

Title: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on November 04, 2014, 01:44:13 PM
Here is my first attempt that I had recently been working on the past four days in my spare time. Much work to be done, for one... flora. Other alterations will be considered.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: Dune on November 05, 2014, 02:22:35 AM
Cool start. The rock on the right side is perfectly suited for a waterfall.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on November 05, 2014, 01:59:11 PM
Never done a waterfall before. It's a matter of it looking real enough to justify adding it there.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: DannyG on November 07, 2014, 03:12:02 PM
I like the set up here. Spot on with the greens. Look forward to this one for sure
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: TheBadger on November 08, 2014, 01:27:56 AM
Interesting start. I like the cliffs to either side. Helps to define the comp well.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on November 08, 2014, 06:16:10 PM
Quote from: Danny on November 07, 2014, 03:12:02 PM
I like the set up here. Spot on with the greens. Look forward to this one for sure

At first I thought the small flora was too bright but after looking at references, not the case at all.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on November 08, 2014, 06:17:08 PM
Quote from: TheBadger on November 08, 2014, 01:27:56 AM
Interesting start. I like the cliffs to either side. Helps to define the comp well.

Yes. 
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: Dune on November 09, 2014, 04:04:27 AM
I actually don't know if the greens are really that bright in Iceland or if that's just the photographic enhancement/effect wanted by the photographers. You can't tell colors by checking out photo's, but as a photographic effect is needed for the competition anyway, it doesn't matter.
Oshyan can probably tell us (though he was there in winter). Anybody else been there?
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: Oshyan on November 09, 2014, 11:21:41 PM
Yes, I was there in late winter/early spring so I can't really say for sure how it is in spring or summer. I do have a hard time believing that many of the Iceland images are not somewhat enhanced though. The images I have seen of things I did see while I was there have almost always been enhanced (and indeed many of my images have some amount of enhancement too, though I try to stick to adjustments that I feel reflect what I saw or felt when I took the shot). So I am not sure things are *quite* as bright and *saturated* as many photos show, but still it is a quite uniquely colored, and high contrast landscape overall. Indeed, if there was anything I would emphasize it is the contrasts and how sharp and unexpected (and seemingly unnatural) they can be.

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on November 23, 2014, 03:35:43 PM
Changing directions rather drastically. Comments and critiques are welcome.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: Oshyan on November 24, 2014, 03:31:55 AM
Interesting. I think I like the new one better. The snow and strata on those distant mountains is quite nice. Need to see the foreground develop and become a bit more distinctive before I know quite what to think of that... It's a good start in another direction though, I think.

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on November 24, 2014, 03:50:59 AM
Not certain as to what I want to do with the foreground over what I have now.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: Dune on November 24, 2014, 04:53:09 AM
Yes, I like this better as well. A bit on the dark side maybe, and you need irregularity in the cones. A lower POV maybe for some more defined definition/close up view of the foreground.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: FrankB on November 25, 2014, 06:35:35 AM
I think the low clouds are in a difficult position in this image. If they would have smaller features, be lower, and would be positioned in a way so that they do not obstruct a clean view upon the valley, then this could make a big difference.

Do volcano opening like these really exist on Iceland or anywhere? I should not be surprised, Iceland is full of unique wonder, but still curious.

Cheers
Frank
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: Oshyan on November 25, 2014, 05:56:04 PM
Why yes, they do. :D
http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow/image/72941048

I didn't see any myself though, I think they're more in the North or interior, which was less accessible when I was there in the spring.

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on December 03, 2014, 03:58:11 AM
I started some more tests today. Lava boulders with some crystals. I am not done yet as they need more tweaking.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: Dune on December 03, 2014, 07:56:31 AM
Nice lava, but maybe a bit on the dark side? See here: https://www.google.nl/search?q=lava+rocks&client=firefox-a&hs=y0V&rls=org.mozilla:nl:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=XAh_VI2FBcLCPNezgdgF&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=1081 (https://www.google.nl/search?q=lava+rocks&client=firefox-a&hs=y0V&rls=org.mozilla:nl:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=XAh_VI2FBcLCPNezgdgF&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=1081)
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on December 03, 2014, 04:02:15 PM
I should have mentioned the scene is without an atmosphere and the lighting is not finished. It will probably be brighter when I add it later to the new scene.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on December 04, 2014, 04:19:33 AM
Another direction I am taking. There still needs work on the old lava fissure and maybe should I throw in a Cinder Cone in the distance to the left? Plants will still be added later here and there.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: TheBadger on December 04, 2014, 05:53:44 AM
Wow, really massive! Like this direction the most so far. There is lots you can do with the finer points on this one.

Quoteand maybe should I throw in a Cinder Cone in the distance to the left?

My argument would be no. If only because it sounds like an after thought, or some preconceived commitment to have one no mater what. But cant say for sure until you try. I would rather see you obsess over the small details that this needs to really get it the rest of the way. teak the composition, rocks dirt colors plants, the little things. imo
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on December 04, 2014, 03:12:40 PM
Not too much left to do as far as I can see. I was more against the Cinder Cone myself because it would be too much in one scene.
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: Oshyan on December 05, 2014, 12:12:43 AM
Great overall structures and sense of scale, yes! Reminds me of some areas around Thingvelir. I think your small-scale detail is far too regular/repeating, so you need some more scales of detail, and more break-up. Refine. And maybe some specific point of interest? A lone hiker or photographer, a sunset, a volcano...

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on December 05, 2014, 01:03:24 AM
If you mean the tiny common bumps. It is supposed to be moss. I might alter the colors to create more variation there. I could rethink a Cinder Cone???
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: Dune on December 05, 2014, 02:29:27 AM
The sense of scale is not immediately apparent, so a figure or something recognizable would be good. Maybe lift the camera a bit or shift it to the left so you look more into the gully (or ravine?). I like the colors and light. Will you be adding stuff like grass?
Title: Re: Iceland 1
Post by: AP on December 05, 2014, 02:44:01 AM
I am hoping when I add plants that it fixes the scale issue. No grass. This is moss covered stones. I might move the camera but I do not want to center the gully entirely. It might deserve more attention for certain.