The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I am fascinated with the process of decaying leaves in ponds, creeks etc. There is so much beauty in the process of decay. Different colours, shapes and forms emerge accentuated by sunlight penetrating the watery depths. I wanted to evoke still life in an old masters painting style.
Specific Feedback
Should I lighten the darker areas in this image? I did want the focus to be on centre leaves. I feel the murky background creates an atmosphere of mystery and what once was.
Really love the dappled light painting the desired leaves and recessing those that donât contribute so strongly to your naturally vignetted composition of leaves in a pond. The colours are intense but look quite natural. I think it works very well, perhaps just a marginal desaturation of the vivid green leaf would harmonise it still further.
Oooh this is cool. Dappled light in water is so magical and I think you caught that quality quite well without it being harsh or too contrasty. I agree that decay is fascinating and I am always struck at the fact that trees (and many plants in general) literally feed themselves with their own parts. Did you hunt around for this arrangement for long? If so - totally worth the time. Iâm particularly struck by the shape of the gold leaf on the green ones with the stem angling upward and the leaf bending gently down and around the other two. It reminds me of how painters arrange fruit or flowers on a table in a still life arrangement. Agree that reducing the green saturation/vivid quality would harmonize the palette even further.
Wow!! My first thought was that it made me think of the work of the Old Masters, so you really nailed it, Diny! I love the soft light and colours of the leaves in the background. I wouldnât change a thing. Well done!
Wonderful!! The darks are perfect!! The greens might be worth experimenting on, but I think the rest of the image is strong enough (by far) to support the strong and slightly unusual greens. Nicely seen and processed!
Thank you for your kind comments. As regards the post processing of the background leaves, I did very little except: lighten the leaves a little using a curves layer and cleaned up some dirt splotches with a spot healing brush. The light was natural sunlight, late in the day, coming through branches.
Cheers
Diny
WOW!!1 What a terrific image. This looks like one of those fruit bowl arrangements that are photographed on a wooded tabletop in a setting like a barn that you would hang in your kitchen. I love the colors. It really pops. I also love that sharp fall off from the OOF background to the super sharp foreground leaves. The light you have is magical, mysterious. Even on the main subject there is light and shadow. This is just so creative for you to find and then to frame it so exquisitely just makes me happy. I honestly canât give you a single tiny nit to even work on. I think itâs perfect as is.
OMG, @Kris_Smith, I just read your comment and you basically said the same thing I said about the fruit arrangement. Thatâs great!!! I love it.
