The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
I like the drama of the willow on the smooth lake (I wish there had been no breeze). I want as much of the lake bottom to show without interfering with the overall composition.
I have trouble determining if the blue tones look realistic. I also am not sure about the crop. That is why I submitted the original image with minimal editing. There were a lot of spots on the lens from the mist, which I have removed, but no other editing was done.
Creative direction
I am not sure about a vision. We were on a workshop schedule in New Zealand, and I had to take the image as I found the light and fog. The mountains were hidden in the clouds. I just want to make an image that captures the mystique of this iconic tree.
Specific Feedback
All feedback is welcome.
Technical Details
It was taken with a Sony a7iv and a 24-105 lens on a tripod.
ISO 64, f/22, 20 sec.
Processed in LR and PS
Description
I was in a workshop in New Zealand. Both days we were at Wanaka Lake the weather was overcast and misty. The mountains were obscured. This was as good as it got.
Barbara I surely love better the second version where more light and less blue saturation make the detail pop specially in the bottom of the lake and in the branches of the tree. The higher size of the background are made interesting by the texture in the water. I love the simplicity of the compotition.
Gorgeous!! The lovely color adds to the dreaminess. I don’t mind the ripples – they add a touch of life to an otherwise static scene. I think the clouds in the BG are a nice feature, allowing the tree and the island to stand out. Well done!
Hey Barbara, what a great opportunity to visit such a beautiful place. I long for days where I can travel more frequently. In regards to the image, I know you mentioned wanting a still reflection but I quite like it the way it is. You have a unique effect going on where the water was moving just enough to create those little ripples but not so much that it actually breaks any part of the tree. The effect gives me some Edvard Munch vibes! It also creates a bit of an above vs below story that I think the cool blue tones play on as well. Again, maybe personal but I think the effect makes your image unique from a flat reflection…
Thanks to all of you @Giuseppe_Guadagno , @Diane_Miller , @David_Wallace amd @Jim_Gavin for your affirmation. Yes, I do agree some ripples do add to the story of the picture. I am torn between the two views because I do like seeing the texture of the rocks.
A very good take on this classic scene from New Zealand, Barbara. I think the blue looks great and gives it a stormy, cold feel to it. Like the others, I actually love the very minor ripples that are breaking up the reflected tree branches giving some needed movement to the image making it sing for me. I also like the crop you chose and you could even go further from the bottom. I typically do not love 3x2 portrait aspect ratios as they seem way too long for my tastes and your crop helps with that feeling. You placed the tree perfectly in the scene with none of the branches intersecting with the little island in the background and that lower right branch doesn’t intersect with the mountains behind it which I feel is important. The cloudy conditions you had make for a moody scene which feels right with the blue cast. Nicely done!
@Barbara_Djordjevic I think your edited image is just about perfect. The rocks in the water in the bottom of the frame are nice, but in this case I don’t think they add anything to the image. The blue tones and the low clouds with just a tiny bit of detail add to the overall moody feeling of the image. Well done!
I hear you on the breeze. I lean in the direction of @Patrick_Campbell about those rocks. In some images they really help, but the tree/island/fog are such stars here I think minimizing them is worth playing with. In fact, I could see exaggerating the blur of the ripples a little, which lets the tree itself stand out more and also miminizes the eye snag of the pebbles.
I also think the tree/island/fog are so good it might be worth emphasizing them even more with a slight crop.
Here’s a crude example of those thoughts. (Feel free to toss in the Recycle Bin if it’s not your vibe.)
