With what was likely the last winter storm of the season last week I was able to get out and shoot some local images (road conditions proved too bad otherwise....).
Every time I shoot images during a storm I am freshly reminded of the unique challenges. To this end I have added a blog entry to my site as following, feel free to check it out as you wish (feedback always appreciated if you do).
https://www.alanbrownphotography.com/blog/snowstorm-challenge
I have included shots taken that day below - on the last two I'd be interested to know if you prefer the portrait or landscape format of the same scene, and of course I'm always appreciative of any comments (good OR bad - that's how we learn.....).
Nice shots !
I think the landscape format works a bit better than the portrait, but did you consider square ?
In the portrait format, I like that the first tree has breathing room top and bottom, but in the landscape view I like that there is less cut off from that same first tree on the left side ...
Thanks Ian. I have tried a square crop but I think that diminishes the impact of the yellow sign.
That for me is a critical element in the composition, but I can understand if you/others feel different.
I'm looking forward to seeing if there is any consensus or our individual preferences shine through and split the decision.
Regarding the final 2 photos, I do prefer the landscape. There's just something bothersome about the left being cut off in the portrait version. The landscape version definitely causes my eye to travel from the sign outward to the closest tree, and feels satisfying.
The second photo feels a little too much on top for me - just a little too much; but otherwise, beautiful.
The first one is lovely too. Not sure, but I wonder what it would look like if the sign's blue would be "enhanced" so as to stick out more from the overall blue tones of the image.
Your "Snowstorm Challenge" blog post is excellent. Some of the things it made me aware of was snow falling in front of the camera and shutter speed in relation to the movement of the snow. Now do you have anything on how to get it to snow out there? Lol! Normally we get up to 30 inches spread out over the winter months, but this year we barely got anything apart from some flurries here and there.
Ha, I can't do much about the snow, just glad I forced myself out for that on last storm.
The 'snow in front of lens' tip is one I learnt the hard way after finding some of my best compositions ruined, and easy to overlook.
I'll have to revisit the crops on the issues you mentioned. I typically do like a lot of negative space on top for this type of shot but it's go to see through another set of eyes.
For the portrait shot my focus was on the leading line to the yellow sign but I think I do have room on the left if that does not throw off the balance.
I can certainly make the blue sign in the first pop a bit to draw the eye, but I think any adjustment would have to be subtle to keep the feel natural.
Thanks for the constructive feedback, I respect all opinions and absolutely take all suggestions into consideration.
Portrait.
I am a big fan of leading lines in landscape photography, so I would rather see the side of the first tree chopped than the top. Portrait also has a great use of negative space.
Thanks for your thoughts Dean!