What changed: Thank you, Mike Friel for pointing out I posted the original vs. the edited version, which hopefully I have successfully done so… heavy sigh.
Added after receiving feedback from the community.
The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive
About This Image
I came across this image while walking on a trail at Williams B. Umstead State Park in North Carolina. The contrast of the leaf with the background is what made me stop. It was an overcast day so the woodland canopy acted as a soft light box. I had difficulty using a KASE Close-Up Filter with my tripod getting it into a down angle so I had to shoot handheld. I would have preferred using a tripod and merging several shots together to create a more uniform sharpness but I had to make do.
Feedback Requested
I’d appreciate feedback on the composition — whether the balance, framing, or spacing is working.
Technical Details
Fujifilm X-T5, Focal length 72.7mm, f/11, Exposure time 1/13
Hello Tom. Artistically and expressively fine. I like the colors and the subject matter. Composition fine. As for spacing I think the edges of the leaf are too close to the frame edge.
That’s a fascinating leaf Tom. The contrast of colors and textures is impressive, nicely seen.
Normally we sound like a broken record recommending to crop more/closer, but here I think the vegetation around the leaf is a big part of the story and adds contrast and framing. I agree that more room on the top and bottom would be optimal.
That is tough. I mostly see it in the larger twig to the left.
Well seen and composed, with the added room around the leaf . I love the colors of that leaf. Incidentally, I had a great early morning by the nearby Lake Crabtree last year watching ospreys and bald eagles.
I like the revised version and would drop the brightness of the yellow area on the leaf which is overpowering. It is very easy to over-expose yellows so just a tweak for reducing highlights slightly will put it over the top. Well done…Jim
Tom: The intended revision works very nicely for me. Along with the yellow saturation noted by @Jim_Zablotny I think I detect just a hint of softness in the leaf but not enough to matter. A nice find and fine capture. >=))>
A very interesting leaf and surroundings, Tom. I really like the decay process demonstrated so well in the leaf. The composition works for me and , yes, I can see bringing the yellow down a touch.
Tom, I’m confused about which was the original post. I much prefer the tighter view, labeled original, without the out of focus leaves on the edges. The close-up look at the leaf and it’s surroundings look very good, with the yellow being quite eye catching. I may see a bit of softening along the lower leaf edge, but it’s minor and might be improved with a micro contrast adjustment (clarity in lightroom)
Hi Mark— To be honest, at this point I’m unsure as well. I’ve had great advice from several people, but I probably should have waited until all the comments were in before editing a second version, if any. I’m going to chalk this situation up as a learning experience and use this wait and edit process now that critiques have been encouraged at NPN. Thank you for your input!
