The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I took this photo the first time my family and I visited the Flagler Beach area. We took a walk through a park, and as soon as I stepped off the boardwalk, I knew I needed to turn around and grab a picture near the water. I loved the contrast of the colors and the shadow to light. I only had my 35mm film camera with me.
Specific Feedback
Is the sky too blown out? I could probably pull some of those highlights down, but I don’t want to lose the nature of using a film camera just for the sake of editing.
I have very little experience with film beyond disposable cameras, but I’ve always liked the nostalgic feel film can give, and this image captures that well.
I do feel the sky is slightly too blown out for my taste, although I’m not sure any editing would improve it if you want to retain the natural character of film. I also quite like some of the imperfections, particularly the chromatic aberration in the finer leaves at the top left.
Lighting conditions like this are always challenging, especially on film with both strong sunlight and deep shade. I perhaps would have liked a slightly more gradual transition of light across the boardwalk.
Overall though, it feels very nostalgic and inviting, and makes me want to step into the scene myself.
Hi Casey,
A Minolta X700 was the first camera I ever owned and I remember having so much fun with it. I shot many a slide and negative with it. You certainly had some tough lighting conditions and I think you handled them reasonably well, everything considered. This has an inviting feel to it with the walkway taking the viewer into the scene. I also like the cypress tree off to the left. The highlights are a little hot so I could see trying to tone them down a little. I could also see a little crop from the left to simplify the scene as well as getting rid of some of the sky. I hope you do not mind, but here is a rework with what I was thinking. Just my opinion of course. Very nicely done.
Hi Casey,
Lovely shot and I cannot comment on the technicality as I have zero experience on film photography.
I am questioning the subject of the photo, is it the tree on the left as the bridge is leading the eye toward or is it the bridge that take 3/4 of the frame.
framing it a bit differently may help to isolate and clearly identify the subject.
Regarding the lighting, it is not an easy setup with a bright sky on a shadow area, very challenging setup.
I like the warm tone coming out of the chromatic aberration / film , this give a nice mood.
Good job and welcome to NPN
