# Away with the Fairies 1 & 1-A

**URL:** <https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/away-with-the-fairies-1-1-a/52948>\
**Category:** Image Critiques\
**Tags:** landscape, abstract\
**Created:** [November 12, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/away-with-the-fairies-1-1-a/52948 "2026-11-12T16:56:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Doug\_Wilson](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/doug_wilson/32/89609_2.png) [@Doug\_Wilson](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Doug_Wilson)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/away-with-the-fairies-1-1-a/52948/1 "2026-11-12T16:56:45Z")

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![Original - 3V5A7881 08-11-2026-1-NPN Preset-2.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/3/2/3283847b9845b890a89e8dc9d31f6917d26a8525.jpeg)

 ![Additional image 1](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/b/c/bc5c4945bcc32c50493e6eee3385cc6312afd5ff.jpeg)

**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

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**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/away-with-the-fairies-1-1-a/52948/2 "2026-11-12T17:01:15Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![Lon\_Overacker](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/lon_overacker/32/10929_2.png) [@Lon\_Overacker](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Lon_Overacker)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2026, 5:23pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/away-with-the-fairies-1-1-a/52948/3 "2026-11-12T17:23:24Z")

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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!