Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
It was a beautiful day this past January in Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park. The scene captivated me with the play of light in the sky and landscape. It was an “oh wow” moment. The subject I chose to focus on was the grove of trees on the left side of the image. I took an image and cropped it in post processing.
Specific Feedback
Open to any criticism of the image. In particular, would like feedback on the composition and white balance. I hope it captures some of the beauty that I experienced that day.
Technical Details
ISO 100, 56mm, f14, 1/800 of a second.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
- Vision and Purpose:
- Conceptual:
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- Composition:
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- Technical:
Bill, I think you captured the mood and scene very well with this image. Stark and cold come to mind looking in that direction in Hayden Valley! I really like the panoramic aspect which for me, adds to the vastness and draws my eye to explore that horizon. At first, I questioned the snow color/white balance but I think you did great. There is so much moodiness from the afternoon light playing with the clouds and reflecting off the snow, creating differing shades of snow that just adds to the feeling I am getting from your image. My only nit would be the sharpness in the trees but my guess is the atmospherics out there at that distance, creates some distortion. So bottom line well done!!!
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Hey Keith, thank you for the input and for catching the trees were a bit soft. I sharpened the trees a bit and I do like it better! Very glad to meet you that week and to see your images!
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Same here @Bill_Bomberry ! Can’t wait to see more of what you captured on that trip, I am always humbled by what others get from the same perspective!
I just love the Hayden Valley but I’ve never been in Winter. This image makes me want to go. I think you’ve captured the play of light both in the clouds and in the snow. This is not a flat scene at all. Lots of shadow and light play at work.
I have to say that I feel a little disconnected with the composition though. The trees on the left bother me being cut in half. It does not balance well with the beautiful clump of trees on the right side of the image. If you have more space I would include all of the trees on the left and if they extend too far left I would leave them out of the scene all together. You said the subject that you chose to focus on was the trees on the left side of the image but yet those are the trees that you mostly left out. I suppose you could crop the right section of trees in half and you’d have a more balanced image with that lone group of trees in the middle OR you could crop and keep only the right grouping of trees and have it be the entirety of your image. But I would look to add those trees back in on the left if you have them. I love everything else about the image though.
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Hey David, Sorry I meant the trees on the right side of the image and not the left. I do have more trees on the left. I can see what you are saying about the balance. Here are two other versions of the image. I also included the original image. Looking back, I did not spend enough time considering my composition when I shot this. It was an “oh wow,” I need to capture this. I have been shooting landscapes for about a year and a half so I sincerely appreciate the input as I grow.
FYI this image was taken this January on a workshop with David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick. It was a fantastic experience!
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