The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I am not sure if you would call this area a bog, a fen or a wetland, but it is an interesting little location in Blackwater Falls SP, WV. In the spring and summer months it is covered with mounds of moss, ferns and other plant life. I had high hopes for this trip as 3-5 inches of snow was forecast and I had called the day before to inquire about snow on the trees. I was told yes there was snow on the trees as it had snowed for the past three days. All set I thought, not! There was next to no snow in the trees and the 3-5 inches of snow really didn’t materialize so we were scrambling to find some images. Oh well, so much for best laid plans. This was one of only three files that I kept. I would have liked to focus stacked this image, but the wind was just blowing too hard and I knew the everything would not be in the same spot. Good news is spring is right around the corner. For the sake of honesty I did remove a few sections of plant life that were poking out of the edges of the frame.
Specific Feedback
Does the BG being slightly OOF bother you? Anything else you notice please feel free to mention it.
Technical Details
Nikon z 7, Nikon Z 24-200 @ 97 mm, f 11 @ 1/250 sec, ISO 100, cable release & tripod.
Ed, that clump of reeds looks familiar… This is another quiet and very pleasing look at this little bit of water with a good layer of new snow. I like the added depth in this view as the water leads deeper into the scene. That depth adds well to the sense of quiet, contemplation. While it’s removal would be a challenge, I wonder about cloning out that single, tall reed starting near the lower left corner.
I really like this scene, Ed. The feel of unmarked new snow is always a winner and the bits of water showing through and scattered vegetation work nicely. I also like the depth of field. I had noted that one tall grass stem on the left and agree with @Mark_Seaver that it’s a slightly disruptive influence on the scene.
I had to do a double take when I saw the thumbnail on this one, Ed. At first, I thought it was Michaels image flipped backwards or right to left. And then…I saw it was not Michael but you.
There is the same clump of grasses/reeds that are the focus point and the same small little tufts of grasses grounding the scene everywhere. I love the water and your framing of the water in this scene, Ed. My eye is roaming around nicely through this scene and the only distraction that kept me from moving was the long, straight stick on the LLC that runs through more than half the frame. It’s a little out of character compared to all the rest of the grasses and twigs in the scene so I thought I’d mention it but it’s not a huge deal and easy to fix. Ok…I just read the comments and both @Mark_Seaver and @Dennis_Plank mention that same stick. Three for three.
The patterns in the snow and water are lovely!! I don’t mind the BG being a little soft and in fact I think that contributes to the image. I’d consider reducing the contrast there a bit to soften the vegetation there even more. A very nice second prize!
This looks familiar. Seriously though, Ed, I like your composition better than mine. The s curve of the water in the BG is a nice addition. Beside the afore mentioned vertical grass, I would probably lighten the grasses as @Gary_Hook did to mine,
@Ed_Lowe Lovely scene. I do think the snow is a bit gray, and the grasses a bit dark. I might suggest cleaning up the bottom corners. They look untidy. You might consider, also, grabbing the water and adjusting the WB to make it more blue, thus giving it a bit more character.
I really enjoy that single stalk on the left.
I find both of these landscapes appealing. We don’t get snow where I live.
Ed: I like this comp and what you’ve done with this scene. A touch more brightness in the snow and some lifted shadows in the grasses would suit me a little better. I’m OK with the single reed on the left. If it was going out of the frame it might be a bigger issue but not as it is here. Well seen and captured. I think I envy you the experience but I’m one who would rather sweat than shiver. Well done. >=))>
As always, I appreciate everyone @Mark_Seaver, @Dennis_Plank, @David_Haynes, @Diane_Miller, @Michael_Lowe, @Gary_Hook and @Bill_Fach for taking a moment of your time and leaving your thoughts on this image.Here is a rework incorporating some of the suggestions.
Mark, Dennis and David: I had to chuckle when I read your comments on that tall reed in the LLC as I deliberately put that there because I liked that little squiggly off shoot and I thought it helped fill up that area.I do see what you are saying about the height so I removed part of it.Hopefully that is better.
Diane: I tried to lighten that top OOF area just a little.
Mike and Gary: I added 1/4 stop exposure and brought up the midtones in the clump of reeds.I could not do anything with the water as it is just standing water in the bog and was quite dark.
Bill: I like your rework. The cold is not too bad; you just have to dress in layers.
This is another quiet and very pleasing look at this little bit of water with a good layer of new snow. I like the added depth in this view as the water leads deeper into the scene. That depth adds well to the sense of quiet, contemplation. While it’s removal would be a challenge, I wonder about cloning out that single, tall reed starting near the lower left corner.
Well done. >=))>
