Mist in the Valley Photo

Photographer’s Note

Belinda and I went for a walk one morning in early December. We live on the edge of the North Downs and the Surrey Hills so there are plenty of beautiful places to explore. This day we went up to St Martha's Church which is near Albury and quite close to Guildford.

This is the view from the top of the hill with the church behind me. It's an extraordinary place for this pre-conquest church, perched on the top of the hill, far from a village. I guess one reason it's here is because it's on the path of ancient hilltop trackways.

In PP I've lifted the brightness in the foreground tree (the red one) and generally increased the contrast using curves.

plimrn, fulvio52 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

KiltedArab (0) 2006-01-30 19:30

I like the quality in this very much - the title says it all, really. Great catch of the mist in the well of the valley.

And I like the 'Lord of the Rings' feel about the two eyes in the cloud, watching over the scene!

[2] +

Keitht (1116) 2006-01-31 4:07

Lovely shot. The dark tree on the left could have been overpowering, but the lack of leaves and the light coming through has avoided that.
The lighting on the tree in the foreground really lifts that area, but the best bit really is the way you have captured the mist in the valley.

[2]

plimrn (19892) 2006-01-31 9:24

I like the colors and the framing. The mist is suitably spooky even though I hadn't seen the eyes until I read kiltedarab's review.

The detail in your note is useful although I can't seem to find curves in Photoshop Essentials, but it almolst looks like moonlight on the leaves in the foreground.

srgabreu (767) 2006-02-25 13:17

Hi Steve!
Great natural "mix", many textures and colors.
In spite the fence this seems wild nature, untouched.
The picture's composition and the pp work are also great.
Sérgio

fulvio52 (8314) 2007-02-25 8:40

Hi Steve,
magnificent shot, it made me think right away of "Lord of the Rings".
I particularly admire the way you managed to portrait those several chunks of different light.
They all retain their own identity and at the same time blend extremely well together to contribute and create a unique, very "atmospheric" picture.
My compliments.
Warm regards,
Fulvio.