Mary Ann Carrasco
July 2026 - Countryside Off Latrobe Road
Original
About the Image(s)
This image was taken in February of this year for a class I was taking at the time. Latrobe Road is northeast of Sacramento in El Dorado County and I love the drive. It is difficult to photograph there because the road is narrow and not many areas where it is safe to pull out. This was taken from a side road and I used the Nikon Z9 with the 28-400 lens at 35mm,ISO 50; f/14; 1/125. When I saw Paul's image from last month it reminded me of this one so I found it and processed in Photoshop and Silver Efex Pro 9.0 version. I added a bit of vignette. I look forward to your review.
7 comments posted
A really nice monochrome landscape Mary Ann! Subject matter to look at in the tree and the barn and the clouds. That's a nice combination. You have also done a nice job with the overall contrast because you've got good blacks and good whites. One minor comment, in the sky above the tree there appears to be a jet contrail. It may not be a jet contrail, but it grabbed my attention right away when I looked at your image. A very nice landscape! Posted: 07/05/2026 22:00:38
Thank you, Bob, for your comments. I see what you mean about a contrail and when I enlarged it to see, I noticed a dust spec above it! Posted: 07/07/2026 22:29:15
Mary Ann - you've developed this perfectly (IMHO!) - I note you have lightened the dell area where the tree is, sky etc.
As a landscape, I find it "pleasing" without being particularly interesting, if I'm honest. I wonder if less foreground and make it 16/9 would help focus on the key aspects. With modern Ai tools, Lightroom etc may be able to remove the fence (certainly left of barn) may be something to try. You may not want to do this sort of thing. Posted: 07/08/2026 16:03:03
As a landscape, I find it "pleasing" without being particularly interesting, if I'm honest. I wonder if less foreground and make it 16/9 would help focus on the key aspects. With modern Ai tools, Lightroom etc may be able to remove the fence (certainly left of barn) may be something to try. You may not want to do this sort of thing. Posted: 07/08/2026 16:03:03
Adrian, thank you for your comments and I appreciate your candor! I am drawn to old barns and I thought the tree added interest but I see your point. I will have to give your suggestions a try. Posted: 07/09/2026 17:00:28
That is a really nice image of the old tree and barn. The fence is in a nice position and the sky is just right. Lovely detail and tone. If it was mine I would have taaken two steps to the left to get separation from the tree and barn. But that is nit picking from and very pleasing image. Posted: 07/15/2026 09:53:58
When you see the B&W image, you don't even think to look at the color version, as this composition (barn, tree, fence, sky, ...) are made for the B&W. I like it.
You have worked to have good contrast.
There a detail disturbing for me (really a small detail...) is the thin stake on the left (between the 2 stakes of the fence). It catches my eyes... I am sorry... Posted: 07/15/2026 15:15:04
You have worked to have good contrast.
There a detail disturbing for me (really a small detail...) is the thin stake on the left (between the 2 stakes of the fence). It catches my eyes... I am sorry... Posted: 07/15/2026 15:15:04
I think the barn and the tree are two separate captures. Each interesting in their own way, but distracting when presented together. I would like to see the tree shot with a wide lens, but from only 20 feet away, and with a portrait orientation. The barn's texture and dilapidated corner are a story, all by themselves! IMV, better seen from 20 feet away with the 28 mm. Your clouds are better in B/W. And thanks for mentioning my barn. Posted: 07/17/2026 15:58:24