Away with the Fairies 1 & 1-A

[Doug_Wilson]

Critique Style: Standard

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

These are two versions of the same image, taken last week in a forest here on the east coast of Scotland. I used an 0.8s exposure, holding the camera steady for just a fraction to burn in the ferns then dragged it upward. The edits are very much a work in process, and I’m wondering which direction you feel works best.

Feedback Requested

The first variant is more contrasty and emphasises the dark tones with the trees the dominant element. The second: i’ve changed the crop to include more foreground, and softened the contrast and blacks to make the ferns more of the primary subject. The question i have is: which direction works best in your opinion? Soft ethereal, or darker and more contrasty.

I would naturally welcome any other suggestions for the edit.

Technical Details

Image 1
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM
Focal length: 26mm
Shutter speed: 0.8s
Aperture: f/16
ISO: 100

[Dennis_Plank]

My personal preference (this minute) is for the more ethereal, Doug. The first image focuses me almost exclusively on the dark trunks and I find the second lets my eye roam around more in the image.

[Lon_Overacker]

Excellent ICM Doug. I like both as they present two different moods and results.

I like the first for the bold presentation of the bluish bare trunks. I think the ferns do well for creating a foundation to the image, but this story is about the trees.

I’m really prefering the second image. I love how the ferns (great job with the hold for a brief moment before the vertical motion. I like this technique. I think here the ferns blend seemlessly and much better in the second image. I also think the less-contrasty processing works in favor of this scene.

Well done!