As I was thinking about how to respond to this week’s photo challenge, serenity, it occurred to me that I would say serenity is an idea that shows up a lot in my photography. For this week, I chose this image:
ISO 100 185mm 0ev f/5.6 1/100
The image itself was taken this past fall. I stopped, looked up, and saw this lovely pattern of light that I thought would turn out well in a photograph. This final edited version is actually a fusion of two identical images shot using different exposures and then edited in Photomatix Pro. Here are the two originals:
ISO 100 185mm 0ev f/5.6 1/100
ISO 100 185mm 0ev f/5.6 1/100
I felt that creating an HDR image would bring out the jewel tones in the leaves and the bokeh effect in the background of the image. When I took the original photos, it was a bright day so I had lowered my ISO to 100. It was also a bit breezy, and in this case I wanted the leaves to be still, so that is the reason for the fast shutter speed. I settled on an f-stop of 5.6 after a couple of other tries, because I felt like that was the right balance of bokeh in the background and clarity in the leaves.
As for serenity, it’s been a bit elusive in my life lately. I’ve missed the last few photo challenges. It’s nice to be back, and I’m looking forward to getting caught up on my comments and visits to other blogs. As for serenity in a photo, this particular image works for me but what do you think? your comments are welcome below.
Cheers!
Photography Journal Blog 
The leaves, wind and sunshine, perfect! 🙂
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Thanks!
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colorful and warm
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Agreed, and I think it is nice to look back at a photo like this now that it is winter time.
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Just my two cents worth but I like the lower photo the best. The leaves seem to stand out more than in the HDR and to me is more visually appealing. Beautiful photo!
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Thanks for leaving your honest opinion, I appreciate it 🙂
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Lovely autumnal palette.
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Thanks!
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Lovely to see you back Amy . The combination of the two exposures work very well to make your final image … subtly carried out and very nice too !
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Thank you 🙂
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Good to have you back! The last one is my favourite. I hope the New Year started well for you and yours. Have a wonderful weekend, take care.
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Thanks! We are off to a crazy but good start to the year, I hope that all is well with you. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
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Very serene!
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Thanks!
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I love the final photo. The autumnal colors stand out just nice and the photo has a dreamy feel to it. The leaves were probably enjoying the last of the sunshine in autumn. Serene indeed. Hope all has been well with you 🙂
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You are right, it was near the end of the season, but since it was a nice day, my friend and I were making the most of it with our cameras.
Things are will in my corner of the world, and I hope they are in yours as well.
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Making the most of the day right there 😀 Very nice to see you got a steady shot of the leaves despite the breeze…always hard to get the shutter speed right, at least for me.
Good hear. Things could be better here, but am enjoying what I have at the moment 🙂
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This was lovely!
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Thank you, I’m glad you liked it.
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The pace of life has wrapped me up as well – serenity and peace have been absent. Here’s to all of us getting back on track. Nice photos – have a great week!
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Thanks and all the best to you.
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I’ve have been thinking about this challenge for two days. I added the word “serenity” to my phone’s lock screen, because I haven’t had a lot of serenity in my life lately. I feel like I have been so busy – go, go, go! To feel serenity, I need a pause. For the challenge, I have thought about flowers, snow, the ocean, the sky, my reading space, my yoga mat and eye pillow, and my bed. Hahaha. Those last two are all about relaxing. I can’t make up my mind. The week will probably be up before I do.
I like your choice of fall leaves for the photo challenge. It is my favorite time of year, and most things in nature, except for predators, remind me of serenity. The editing from the original photos to the finished one is really nice. It does bring out the rich colors of the leaves. There is a nice play of light and shadow. The background is cool. I really like it. It allows all of the attention to focus on the leaves – it highlights them.
Thanks for stopping by my new blog and following me. It is so nice to reconnect 🙂 Now I am going to walk away from my laptop and continue my blogging break.
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I think I too like the third photo best – very lovely light. Welcome back!
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welcome back! happy new year! the serenity photo has one of the prettiest greens I have seen in a while. the b effect has a jewel tone feel to it and the mix of the two pics with your edits is eloquent (that is the word that comes to mind) – and even tho I know it is a fall pic – it feels like a spring pic (and it is welcome at this time of year for me too – I read the above comment on that) – but really more than a seasonal feel it has a jewel toned rich depth to it – two thumbs up and 👊
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ah, that serenity in daily life is quite elusive what with all the goings on here. I hope you have some respite this weekend. Happy weekend.
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Dappled light in the forest is an excellent choice — after walking through through the woods surrounded by images like this, I always feel renewed.
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What a beautiful photo, and thank you for talking us through the photography stages!
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Wonderful color and I agree the HDR works very well. The lighting really works well. Wishing you many moments of serenity.
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Why thank you 🙂
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Fall is my favorite season for all it’s colors! I love it so much 🙂
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I am also a huge fan of fall color 🙂
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Excellent exposure selections because the final image came out quite beautiful.
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Thanks!
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