Manual blend of 3 images using luminosity masks to increase dynamic range. One for grass and sky, one for bright sun area and one for a bit of detail in the tree bark. Some slight dodging and burning, colour corrections, a light dose of Tony Kuyper's Triple Play, and [user]prperold[/user]'s resizing and sharpening action at different amounts for different parts of the picture.
It was a pretty cold morning (it is our Winter) and I went for a nice walk all on my own to caprure the beauty of the South African sunrise. Typically no clouds in this area during Winter so I thought I would use the tree as a bit of interest in the sky.
Hoping for 6.3
Expecting 6.0
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A very impressive peaceful image is my first thought. The light glow of the sun falls calmly on the eyes. The centered composition also adds to that sense of peace and balance (however there is definitely enough asymmetry to generate interest in the image). I love the light fog and mist you captured in the distance.
A few things I didn't care for: I think you went a bit too far in bringing out the detail on the tree. It has an unrealistic feel being so light. The edges of the tree are also slightly blurred which continues that evidence of post processing. I also wish that there were less straggly branches on the tree. Sometimes that's something that can't be changed but they do take away from the light, rolling hills and glowing horizon in the background.
Looks like a typical winters morning (yellow sun), red earth and dry grass, crisp and fresh and often cloudless. (And then it turns out to be a sunset!) Crystal clear and nice exposure control with back-lighting. is that a car approaching from the left...dust trail starting.
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