# Beside a stream **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** abstract\ **Created:** [June 13, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/beside-a-stream/41712 "2024-06-13T18:56:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Don\_Peters](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/don_peters/32/87970_2.png) [@Don\_Peters](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Don_Peters)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/beside-a-stream/41712/1 "2024-06-13T18:56:37Z")
![Woman and bench c (1 of 1).JPG](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/1/c/1cab47f4140566cd1907afe2e33f3745ab8c859b.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description This one combines four images. ### Specific Feedback I’m mostly interested in overall reactions but any specific comments would be welcome. I was exploring a few ideas and I’m not sure that all my choices were the right ones. ### Technical Details The primary image was ISO 100, 112 mm, f/36. 1.6 sec. * * * ### Critique Template Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas. - Vision and Purpose: - Conceptual: - Emotional Impact and Mood: - Composition: - Balance and Visual Weight: - Depth and Dimension: - Color: - Lighting: - Processing: - Technical: ---
**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:** [June 14, 2024, 12:14am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/beside-a-stream/41712/2 "2024-06-14T00:14:57Z")
Interesting, Don. It gives me the feel of looking through a very thin curtain at the river and the person on the bench. I particularly get that feel when I focus on the lower part of the image. When I let my eye rise to the upper part the foliage tends to reverse the feel to some extent. I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Peters](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/don_peters/32/87970_2.png) [@Don\_Peters](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Don_Peters)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2024, 12:30pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/beside-a-stream/41712/4 "2024-06-14T12:30:03Z")
Dennis, Sandy, thanks to both of you for the comments. ---
**Author:** ![Alfredo\_Mora](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/alfredo_mora/32/42826_2.png) [@Alfredo\_Mora](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Alfredo_Mora)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2024, 2:20pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/beside-a-stream/41712/5 "2024-06-14T14:20:33Z")
Don, wonderful storytelling and creative image! I like the ICM background with good spacing between the trees. A few suggestions for the bottom portion of the image. I believe your intent was to create a reflection with a bank to anchor the person on the bench. I think some negative clarity and softening of that area would help unify the background and the reflected areas. I would reduce the opacity of the person and the bench and recommend a slight movement (motion blur) in Photoshop. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Peters](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/don_peters/32/87970_2.png) [@Don\_Peters](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Don_Peters)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2024, 3:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/beside-a-stream/41712/6 "2024-06-14T15:22:44Z")
Those are very good suggestions, Alfredo. I’d already done some of what you suggest but perhaps not enough. I’ll play with it. I suppose this is “storytelling.” The image was pretty blah until it occurred to me to add the woman on the bench. I already had a photo of a bench. My wife was willing to serve as the model for the woman sitting on it. ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 3:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/beside-a-stream/41712/7 "2024-06-15T15:22:35Z")
This is really engaging @Don_Peters. I like the color palette—natural, but also a bit ghostly with the greens blues and purples. It feels like twilight, or at least deep, cool shade, so a figure on a bench makes this feel very introspective. Nice work, ML ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Peters](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/don_peters/32/87970_2.png) [@Don\_Peters](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Don_Peters)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 8:41pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/beside-a-stream/41712/8 "2024-06-15T20:41:06Z")
Thanks, Marylynne.