The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This is a view of the Artist’s Paint Pots area of Yellowstone, with Blood Geyser erupting near the left edge. This is a somewhat lesser visited hot springs area, but it was still plenty busy in mid May. I find the mix of hot springs, colorful runoff and growing things here very interesting.
Specific Feedback
Overcast skies (and there were many this spring) let the variety of colors show well.
Technical Details
R5, 24-105 @ 29, 1/60 s, f/16, iso 800, tripod
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I love all the different elements and colours here, Mark., and the steam is great.
The image seems just a bit flat from here; maybe some vibrance would benefit ?
I really like all of the textures, patterns, and details in this image – there is a lot for the viewer to explore! I’ve personally never heard of this area before nor seen any images from here so it’s a really nice and fresh scene for me from Yellowstone.
When I view this image, I find that my eyes keep jumping back and forth between the bright geyser on the left side and that triangle of forest in the top right corner. I hope you don’t mind but I took the liberty to bring this image into Photoshop and played around with the crop. I came up with this; I don’t know if it’s necessarily “better” but it does address issue I was seeing. Unfortunately, the geyser is now gone though. Also, while I was in Photoshop I darkened down the top right corner a little bit to keep my eyes from being pulled there.
Artist’s Paint Spot is a name really well choosen for this place at least in the image that you have captured and edited. I love the variety and shades of the splendid neutral colors. The brightness and the very low contrasts cooperate for a pictorial photo with pastel colors that create a flat yet beautiful image.
I like very much also the version of @Tom_Nevesely that keeps all the best things which I wrote about.
My wife and I visited this location just 3 weeks ago on a very windy day. I like your capture on an overcast day which as you noted allows for more colors. When processing a shot like this I use Adobe’s Landscape Color Profile along with the Cloudy filter and it brings out the colors even brighter. I like the two leading lines from the lower right side. They draw my eye to the geyser.
Overall, you have captured the beauty of this location quite well. We walked the entire loop and the overlook you chose is probably the best view point on the loop.
@John_Freeman, your comments about color adjustments struck a chord, since that’s something that I’ve started paying attention to recently. Adobe’s Landscape Profile does add some drama to the colors along with some brightening. I find the Cloudy setting to be too strong.
@Tom_Nevesely, YNPs thermal areas offer opportunities for everything from full landscape views, to smaller subsets and even abstracts. Your crop does a good job of emphasizing the runoff channels from this area while keeping a good amount of the vegetation.
Also, while I was in Photoshop I darkened down the top right corner a little bit to keep my eyes from being pulled there.