Autumn Abstract

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
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Image

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Image Description

This one is a rework of an image from the archives. The white of the birch trees surrounded by the lush yellows of some autumn foliage immediately caught my eye while looking for compositions along the banks of Beaver Damn Pond in Acadia NP, ME. There is usually a breeze running across the pond and this time was no exception as it blurred the reflection in the water into this lovely abstract.

Feedback Requests

How do the colors look? I am thinking they look about right, but I wanted to make sure they were not to saturated. Anything else you notice please feel free to mention it.

Pertinent Technical Details

Nikon D200, Nikon 80-200 @ 200 mm, f 11 @ 1 sec, ISO 100, cable release & tripod.

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Ed, the colours look great from here. The abstract aspen trunks are bright and contrast perfectly with the yellows.
Very appealing image!

3

Oh wow! I love this. At first I thought it was ICM but not that I know it’s a long exposure reflection, I love it even more! I’d say it’s just about perfect!

4

A USM – unintentional subject motion! I love the composition, with the ghost image of the trees ending so nicely before the bottom of the frame. The colors are perfect, both brightness and saturation. Simply gorgeous!

5

Oh yes. Dreamy is the word I would use to describe my reaction. And unusual, in that my eye starts at the top where it’s darkest & more defined, and travels to the bottom where I’m lost in the dreaminess. Nice experience Ed!

6

Ed, dreamy really captures the feeling here. The bright streaks fading into warm yellows and greens is lovely.

7

Ed, this is a fantastic autumn abstract. I could definitely see this hanging prominently on a wall. The subtle colors and the bright white streaks are great. Nice job with the long exposure. This is an art piece.

8

Ed, this image effectively captures the beauty of reflections in an abstract manner, blending color and motion to create an impressionistic experience.

Strengths

  1. Abstract Composition: The vertical streaks of color and soft focus create an impressionistic effect, turning the reflection into an abstract composition. This evokes a calm, contemplative mood and encourages the viewer to interpret the scene in their own way.
  2. Color Palette: The warm tones of yellow, green, and hints of orange blend softly, giving the image an autumnal feel. The color gradients add to the visual interest and suggest a natural, serene environment.
  3. Sense of Motion: The slight blur in the reflection gives a sense of gentle motion, perhaps due to ripples in the water. This adds a dynamic quality to an otherwise still scene, enhancing its appeal.

Suggestions for Improvement

  1. Contrast: Adding a bit more contrast between the bright and dark areas could give the image more depth and dimension. The current soft tones are soothing but may lack focal points to hold the viewer’s gaze.
  2. Sharpness: While the blurred effect adds to the abstract feel, slightly sharper edges or defining lines in parts of the reflection could enhance the composition by giving viewers something to anchor their interpretation.
  3. Highlighting Colors: Emphasizing a particular color, like a brighter orange or a deeper green, could create a stronger visual impact and make the image more memorable.