Did I Save These Images?

Saving Or Ruining film Images In Post Processing

While visiting the Palacio de Cristal in Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain, in 2019 I made several images with my Leica M4 and Delta 400 film.

The Leica at that moment was quite new to me - I purchased it just a month before in South Africa - and working with an external light meter or guessing my exposure settings with the sunny-16 rule was not something I was very much used to yet.

As a consequence, several images turned out to be quite under-exposed. Resulting in thin and grainy negatives, which showed clearly in the scans I got back from the lab.

I played around with the digital versions of these images, first in Lightroom and later in the 2019 version of ON1 I, but never really to my satisfaction.

We are in 2024 now, and ON1 got some major and interesting upgrades, including Brilliance AI and an updated version of their NoNoiseAI and TackSharpAI tools.

This encouraged me to revisit these images and put them through the ON1 works.

And to be honest: I like the results. While I admit they absolutely have a very processed look to them now, to my opinion this has created a look that pleases my eye: very clean, very slick, almost graphic.

I wonder what you think of this: did I manage to save these images, or did I only make a bad (underexposed and grainy) photo worse in another way?

Capturing the Essence of Tranquility: Round Lake, NY

Discovering Serenity Through the Lens of High-Contrast Monochrome

Introduction

Nestled amidst the picturesque Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York lies a hidden gem: Round Lake.

This pristine body of water has long inspired photographers like me, beckoning us to capture its enchanting beauty. In this essay, I will talk about Round Lake's location, history, and significance while also recounting my experience of capturing its ghostly charm on an early morning shrouded in fog.

A Natural Oasis

Round Lake is strategically located within Saratoga County, just 12 miles south of Saratoga Springs. Near the Adirondack Park Preserve, this location contributes significantly to its allure. The lake covers approximately 356 acres, with an average depth of 7 feet. Its small size provides an intimate and tranquil atmosphere, making it a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers.

The lake's shoreline is lined with lush, leafy forests, predominantly composed of northern hardwoods such as maple and beech trees. These trees create a splendid backdrop, especially during autumn when their leaves burst into fiery red, orange, and gold shades.

The lake's diverse flora and fauna create a vibrant ecosystem, making it a hot spot for wildlife photography: its crystal-clear waters abound with aquatic life. From bass to perch, the fishing opportunities are abundant, attracting anglers yearly. Additionally, Round Lake is renowned for its ecologically sensitive practices, ensuring its natural beauty remains unspoiled for future generations.

A Historical Gem

Round Lake's history is as rich as its natural beauty. This glacially formed lake has existed for thousands of years, serving as a vital resource for indigenous people and early settlers.

The lake was initially known as "Ondariquoit," a name derived from the Native American Iroquoian language, which means "round lake." The Iroquois regarded this place as sacred, often visiting it for its abundant fish and pristine waters.

In the 19th century, Round Lake gained fame as a spiritual retreat for the Methodist Church. In 1867, it became the permanent home of the Chautauqua Institution, a center for adult education, religion, and the arts.

Today, Round Lake's history is cherished by those who appreciate its serene ambiance.

The Magic of Early Morning Fog

One of the most enchanting aspects of Round Lake is its propensity for early morning fog. While this natural phenomenon can occur at any time of the year, it is most common during the spring and autumn months, when the temperature fluctuations between night and day are most pronounced. This unique weather pattern creates a magical and ethereal atmosphere that is a photographer's dream.

Fog diffuses the sunlight, softening harsh shadows and creating a gentle, diffused glow that bathes the landscape in a delicate embrace. The mist envelops everything in a mysterious veil, obscuring distant objects and transforming even the most familiar scenes into something otherworldly. This captivating effect draws photographers from far and wide, hoping to capture Round Lake's timeless beauty in a new and gorgeous light.

I had the privilege of experiencing Round Lake's foggy mornings several times. Each visit brought new challenges and opportunities, and I'd like to share some insights into my experiences:

1. Preparation: Early mornings can be chilly, even during the warmer months, so I always dress in layers. Proper clothing ensures comfort during extended shooting sessions. I also check my camera gear the night before, ensuring everything is clean and in working order.

2. Timing: Timing is crucial when photographing in foggy conditions. I typically arrive at the lake before sunrise to scout locations and set up my equipment. The predawn light, often characterized by a deep blue hue, adds an enchanting quality to the fog.

3. Composition: Composition is critical in capturing the essence of Round Lake's fog. The mist can be used to create depth and mood in the photographs. Elements like trees and rocks can serve as foreground elements that emerge from the haze, adding depth and interest to the image.

4. Long Exposures: I sometimes use long exposure techniques to accentuate the dreamy quality of the fog. This blurs any ripples on the water's surface, creating a sense of serenity and tranquility. It also captures movement in the mist, adding a dynamic element to the photographs.

5. Patience: Fog is a dynamic phenomenon whose density can change rapidly. Patience is essential when waiting for the perfect moments to capture the desired mood and atmosphere.

One of my most memorable experiences at Round Lake was during an exceptionally dense, foggy morning in early October.

My initial objective was to capture the moment when the sun would start clearing up the fog, creating that incredible golden shine I had seen here before under similar circumstances. However, As it happened, the fog was very dense, and the sun didn't show all day. I, therefore, changed my intent and used the whiteness of the mist to create the contrasty black-and-white images I am sharing here.

I edited the raw images in ON1 with some basic adjustments:

• basic image enhancements

• converting to black and white

• increasing the 'whites'

• increasing contrast

While I could not create the images I originally had in mind, I am pleased with the final result.

Conclusion

Round Lake, NY, is a hidden gem that has captivated photographers and nature enthusiasts for generations. Its rich history, natural beauty, and the magic of early morning fog make it a truly remarkable destination. As a landscape photographer, I have had the privilege of capturing its essence during this foggy morning, which left me with a deeper appreciation for the timeless charm of this serene oasis.

Round Lake's history, from its indigenous roots to its role as a spiritual retreat and educational center, is a testament to its enduring significance. Its location near the Adirondack Park Preserve ensures the preservation of its natural beauty for future generations to enjoy. And the fog that envelops it during the early hours of the day transforms it into a realm of enchantment, where every photograph becomes a work of art.

As I continue to explore Round Lake and document its ever-changing beauty, I am reminded of the importance of preserving such natural treasures. Through photography, we capture the essence of these places and inspire others to appreciate and protect them. With its rich history and captivating fog, Round Lake will remain a source of inspiration and wonder for those seeking the natural world's magic.

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Never Too Old To Play

New York City, NY | Hester St. Playground | February 2019

New York City's China Town area is a treasure trove for street photographers and cultural experiences.

I noticed two gentlemen near the Hester Street playground playing the Chinese game of Xiangqi.

I didn't know if they played for toothpicks, hard dollars, or fun, but they were having a good time, and the bitter cold temperature didn't bother them.

Several onlookers were sitting and standing around their table, undoubtedly providing their advice for the next move.

Unfortunately, I had to move on and never got to know who won.

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Teamwork

Greenville, SC | N Main St | Jan 2022

Walking on Greenville's, SC, Main Street, I saw these two workers repairing a wall.

Working with their backs to the sidewalk, they seemed unaware of the people walking by. Focused on the task at hand, they quietly went about it, working together and getting the job done.

The public also did not notice them, indicated by the woman whose reflection is visible in the window in the background—going on with their daily chores, busy being busy. Not deliberately ignoring the workers, but not interested.

And is that not what generally is the case?

We all go about our busy lives without paying attention to the people around us.

It seems we are more interested in the actions and lives of movie stars, social media authorities, and other so-called 'influencers' than in the real people around us.

This thought inspired me to start working on a new project about real people: manual workers, parents, emergency services personnel, shoppers, office workers, etcetera.

In the upcoming weeks, I will need to flesh out the details: where to focus on possibly, what type of images, medium (film, digital, or both).

More to come.

Forever Young

Washington, DC | 11th Street NW | July 2014

Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Alphaville, and probably many others sang about it. Movies have been made about it.

Staying forever young: a wish that many people need to have.

If we must believe the music and film industries. 

And cosmetics and clothing firms are playing well too.

Helping people to stay forever young.

Or at least: helping people feel they can stay forever young.

Or at least: making people feel they need to stay forever young.

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Madrileñas

Madrid, Spain | Plaza Platería de Martinez | August 2019

Something that always strikes me in Spain is the strong and articulated women.

Irrespective of social status or age, they are Present, with a capital P.

After a stroll through Madrid's famous National Botanical Garden, my wife and I decided we earned some tapas and a refreshing drink. Since it was summer, most bars and restaurants had tables outside on the street, and we quickly found one near the botanical garden and the Prado museum.

While getting seated, I could not ignore these three ladies sitting at a table next to ours.

They were involved in deep conversation. One of the ladies passionately articulated her thoughts on a particular topic, while the other two listened with great attention.

I would have loved to eavesdrop to hear what they were so animated talking about, but that is not something one does. Also, my Spanish is not so good that I could fully understand what she said.

HOWEVER, what I could do was take my trustworthy Leica M4 and seize an image of this beautiful trio.

This photo might not capture a 'decisive moment', but, as I explained previously, street photography is not always about the decisive moment and is far more.

This image, for me, represents a typical situation that someone easily can encounter in Madrid. Or in any town and city of Spain.

Three ladies are having a great afternoon, enjoying some food and drinks and discussing current events, maybe talking about global wars and inflation, or gossiping about the new girlfriend of one of their sons.

Not The Decisive Moment

Image courtesy and copyright Amei Manten

Street Photography Is Social Documentary Photography

Writing last week's blog posts about the book Lost London: 1870-1945 made me realize that there is an easily overlooked aspect of street photography.

Every street photographer wants to capture a specific moment and create that 'one' image that will enthuse the world. With Olympians like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Vivian Mayer, Elliot Erwitt, and so many others as examples, we street photographers try to emulate their vision, their images, and their success.

But street photography is so much more, and street images can mean much more to our audience.

Street photography is not and does not always have to be about the decisive moment.

The images in Lost London: 1970-1945 made me realize that there is so much more to these pictures than the decisive moment. These images capture a particular place during a specific time that has a special meaning for contemporary viewers.

Allow me to explain this with an example of an image not related to the book.

Image courtesy and copyright Amei Manten

Recently I posted an image from the small village my wife and I grew up in on Facebook. My then-girlfriend, now wife, created the picture in the mid-1980s as part of a photography assignment while studying at the University of Leiden (the Netherlands).

It is quite an ordinary image: a village street with a woman.

However, posting this image on Facebook had a surprising result. Numerous people commented on the street and the buildings, with many trying to figure out who the woman in the picture was.

This result and the images from the book Lost London: 1870-1945 made me realize that street photography always is a form of social documentary photography. With or without a decisive moment captured, street images provide contemporary viewers and later generations insights into our environment's current state; it captures the Zeitgeist.

Image courtesy and copyright Amei Manten

The look of the streets, the buildings that may change or totally disappear in the future, the people, the clothes they wear, their occupation, and other details of daily life we at this moment take for granted but will be of interest later.

This realization gave me a feeling of calmness.

I no longer have that unsatisfied urge to hunt or fish for the decisive moment when creating street images. Instead, I am more aware of my surroundings and what my image might mean to future viewers. Maybe they lived in this specific area I am capturing; perhaps I captured one of their family members in my frame.

Street photography, for me, now is more about capturing the current state, and it's not only about the decisive moment.

I still will look out for it, and if and when I capture such a moment: outstanding, excellent! But, if not, I move on with the knowledge that at least I captured something from which future viewers can learn how the world looked today.

Hello Mrs. Cartier-Bresson

Greenville, SC | S Main St - W McBee Ave | January 2022

When I saw this lady walking towards me, I almost froze.

Where have I seen those sunglasses before?

Could it be?

Is it her?

If only HCB was here, he would be able to tell

61 years... impossible, it can't be her...

Maybe her daughter?

Paying Attention

Washington, DC | Lincoln Memorial | August 2014

One of the joys of street photography, actually the reason I think most street photographers do what they do, is observing people.

People on their own, in small groups, or, as in this image, in large groups of individuals who are not in any way related to each other than for the fact that they are coincidentally in the same place at the same time.

When visiting the Lincoln Memorial in 2014 (obviously very much during pre-pandemic times) I noticed that most visitors are not really paying attention to the statue of the great man. Several were walking around in circles like lost in the vast space of the Memorial building, some were talking in groups, and quite a few were busy taking selfies with their omnipresent phones.

Except…

Except for this one woman, who stood still in the middle of the moving, chattering and self-focused crowd.

She was looking at the image of President Lincoln. Paying attention. As if to say: “What can you tell me. What can you teach me.”

And isn’t that what we all should do more often? Paying attention. Putting the phone away. Stop talking. Stop being focused on ourselves. And just pay attention.