Oh Mighty Oak

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Wahugg

Senior Member
Hello all,
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http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac148/wahugg/Sharable/DSC_0017.jpg
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EXIF:
Camera Body: D5100
Lens: AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens
ISO: 4000
Aperture: f3.5
Focal Length: 18mm
Exposure time: 25 seconds
Edited in Light Room 4 64bit
Location: Marlette Michigan
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This picture was taken during Thanksgiving time. I love the tree in the foreground but despise the night sky as it lacks a lot of stars, the milky way, or any super bright constellations. The only thing that's really noticeable is Saturn in the upper right corner. Therefore I tried to bring the attention to the tree by brightening it up in lightroom, but I found it really hard to find a brightness I liked. Too bright and it is a huge distraction from the sky and looks out of place. Not bright enough and I have a very boring picture.

What do you guys think of the picture? Brighter? Just right? Hows the sky look?

Thanks!
-Wahugg
 
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Wahugg

Senior Member
Just for a comparison, here is the brighter tree photo.
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Thanks!
-Wahugg
 
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Mike150

Senior Member
As one who cannot shoot stars no matter how hard I try, I have to say I like it. I do think, however the stars take away from the tree. (I really like the tree). Try cropping most of the sky out and focus on the tree. Maybe use an 8x10 aspect ratio with the long side along the bottom. That will get the tree and some of the stars.

Then again, what the heck do I know? I can't take star pix.
 
B

Brusader

Senior Member
I'd get in closer to the tree as there are a lot of bushes and half a tree on the edge of the photo. :)
There's not many stars showing towards around the horizon, so try and fill it with the tree.
Otherwise, get in close and look up through the tree or have the tree slightly to one side of the photo.

Try and see if you can position the camera to avoid the other distracting stuff.

And watch your horizon is level. My greatest nemesis is having a great photo with a sloping horizon (I tend to hold the right side of the camera lower) so it slopes down to the left.
I turned on the grid lines in my D80 and now it's more obvious when I'm composing. :)
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I like it. I hear what Brusader is saying about the other trees, but part of me believes that if you were closer you would be unable to really get the stars you want do to the ambient light, and I like how the light transitions top to bottom. Plus the color of the oak distinguishes itself from the other trees.
 
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cbg

Senior Member
Since you focused on the tree in Lightroom, I agree with the suggestion to crop some of the sky out and make the image focus on the tree.
 
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