Branches, rippled and reflected

Image Critiques
,
1

Original - Branches- rippled and reflected #1.jpg
Original - Branches- rippled and reflected #1.jpg2000×2000 269 KB

Clearly branches

A reduced sense of branches
A reduced sense of branches2000×1334 152 KB

A reduced sense of branches

Totally distorted
Totally distorted2000×1334 330 KB

Totally distorted

Weekly Challenge

The Gesture of a Branch
10/18/26 - 10/24/26
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

While photographing branches reflected in my pond, I discovered that by focusing somewhere in between the water’s surface and the reflection, I got some interesting effects that were enhanced by the wind rippling the water. These all need a moderately fast shutter to control the amount of distortion. This series of three views goes from a fairly straight look at the branch reflections (#1) to a significantly distorted view (#2), with some branches still recognizable to a totally distorted view (#3) that adds rainfall effects to the water’s surface distortion. Since all were shot at ISO 3200, I’ve used AI denoise on all three.

Feedback Requested

Do you find one “approach” preferable? As always in abstracts, individual viewer’s will react differently.

Technical Details

Clearly branches
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Focal length: 500mm
Shutter speed: 1/400s
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 3200

A reduced sense of branches
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Focal length: 472mm
Shutter speed: 1/125s
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 3200

Totally distorted
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Focal length: 343mm
Shutter speed: 1/125s
Aperture: f/10
ISO: 3200

2

Hi mark
Three different approaches that affect me in different ways

the first one has an old analogue film feel to it , of early photographers experimenting with film.

The second is a much more restful peaceful abstract you could live with very nicely framed on a wall at home. You cn look and explore it without getting tired of the image

The third is a lovely agitated abstract - too busy for my wall - but lovely in a book or collection.

Like them all - please dont make me choose
regards

huw

3

Hi Mark,

These are fun. Is this all the same subject, but treated differently in post or one reflected in water? Fascinating regardless.

It’s so hard to pick. For the “gesture of a branch” challenge, the first seems more gestural because we have branching lines. Overall as something that engages me, I’m a fan of number 3. It’s got colors, textures, lines, shapes. Reminds me of some of your other work, so, not that it matters one way or another, but it feels more recognizably yours stylistically.

But, as Huw says, “don’t make me choose.” I’m hoping we get a few more folks chiming in on this one.

ML