The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I saw this gathering of various leaves floating on a quiet pool along the Merced River in Yosemite. The range of colors and layers of all the leaves invited me to try recording them.
Specific Feedback
My main request would be your thoughts on the overall contrast and saturation of the image.
I did greatly reduce the green saturation on the Alder leaves, especially the two in the LRC; they were close to āneonā color (I donāt know why).
The image is cropped slightly from right edge in order to do some edge patrol. I also cloned out some extraneous bit here and there.
-P
ACR
PSCC 2024
TKās Luminosity Masks with a mids and a lights mask set to āsoft lightā blending mode.
TKās Saturation Painting action
Neat Image NR
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Lovely composition and colors. What I believe is a white stem on the green leaf to the left of the yellow leaf in the center pulls my attention away from the rest of the photo. My eyes are fighting between naturally resting on that big yellow leaf and that stem. Whenever I try to observe the rest of the image, my eyes dart back to that same spot. If youāre able to edit it out, I think the photo would have a nice balance
Really nice composition and colors. The structure in the image is not obvious. If you stare at this long enough you see the bright yellow leaf as the center in a target. Around it is a vague dark circle which makes the yellow stand out well. Outside of that is a green oval area. These layers give the image some order.
On a side note: I canāt understand why there are green alder leaves on the ground in a fall scene. But it works well because it plays off well against the yellows.
PS. On my monitor this seems just a bit overexposed.
Well, it took me an hour to pick all those Alder leaves and place them. Works nicely, doesnāt it. I am kidding, of course. The only thing I can think of is that a very windy day may have stripped those green leaves.
-P
It was an observation, not an accusation. The green alder leaves have mold on them so clearly theyāre in a state of decay. Perhaps alders donāt go through a color change?
Excellent image, Preston. These are always fun to work thru and find a decent debris field so to speakā¦
A small laugh on your point about spending time scattering the leaves around. When my brother sees me removing errant objects he accuses me of āMatthew Bradyā ing the siteā¦
For me the ground scenes are always peaceful and quiet parts of nature. Unless of course like the Mojave Green old Rudy Roberti posted on NPN-1ā¦
btw: I updated my image including the ideas you commented on. I was gone for a day and just got time to clean it upā¦
Wonderful image Preston! Such a beautiful and well balanced arrangement of leaves. I might even call this a nature still life (even though itās water and probably had some motion.)
The color, saturation and luminosity are just right; especially being that the yellow big leaf maple is prominent, the yellows seem quite natural. I think those āneonā green spots you did a good job keeping the greens in check too. Iād say this is a pretty dang clean image. Not sure I see which āstemā @Melamud is referring too - there is no shortage of leaf stemsā¦ I personally donāt have any issue cloning something like that out - but in this case, I think you clone oneā¦ you gotta clone them all.
Speaking of the green leaves, great dialogue on the Alder leaves, and thank you @Igor_Doncov for the alder āgreenā autumn reference. Very cool of to go research that! Kudos on educating us!
Great job on this one Preston - including the vision to spot and compose this one.
Hi Preston,
This is a wonderful collection of yellows, greens and browns and your processing of the saturation and contrast suits my tastes perfectly. I also think the leaf debris is nicely spaced around the frame of this intimate landscape. I only have one suggestion and it is really being picky, but I could see dodging that brown leaf in the ULC a little to give it a little more tonal separation from that dark corner. Just my opinion of course because this is quite nice as is.
Great eye to see and capture this little mini landscape intimate scene. I really like the composition out of the chaos. Initially I thought the green leaves were a little ājarringā in an autumnal scene. Well, they are complimentary colors and the greens are dispersed around the scene enough that they donāt clash. I like it.
Its a nice arrangement of leaves. I do feel it is a little too cool in the color balance and could possible use a slight reduction in the cyan, to warm it just a bit.
Preston, this is a fine looking collection of leaves, that speaks well of the great days of fall. It takes some looking to realize that these are on/in a pool of water, which is a fun find, that I might not have noticed without you drawing my attention.
So nice! refreshing, colorful, with a touch of autumn melancholyā¦ beautiful, beautiful image. And you did a good job collecting and arranging all those leavesā¦
The only thing I can think of is that a very windy day may have stripped those green leaves.
I personally donāt have any issue cloning something like that out - but in this case, I think you clone oneā¦ you gotta clone them all.