The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
The gentle roar of creek water flowing amongst the stones and boulders carries with it a deep sense of tranquilly. As water flows through a landscape, each obstruction encountered creates an audible note paired with a pleasing visual. Close your eyes and quiet your soul and you can even feel the motion. Let your ears continue to reveal the unyielding power of water as your imagination endeavors to see the contours of air and water blending into natural art. Flowing water is nature’s therapeutic deep breathing exercise.
Specific Feedback
Long exposure with liquid and frozen water seem to be a little tough to balance. What to you think of the brightness of the ice vs the white streaks in the water? I tend to go dark on my black and whites, how do you think it looks here with the near black calm portions of the water?
Technical Details
Nikon Z8
Nikon F-mount VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E
ISO 64, f/10, 4 sec, 85mm
I used a Polarizing filter to darken the calm water areas. The sun had not risen above the mountains over my left shoulder, but the sky was pretty bright.
Critique Template
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Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
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Composition:
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Technical:
Love your description and thoughts about your image, Paul. Originally I thought the URC was a little too dark and dominant and thought about a crop but then you would lose that beautiful S curve. So maybe just a little more detail? Loved perusing your website.
This is lovely, Paul. I like the swirling water and the crystal clear ice. The dark corners don’t bother me, but I tend to lack some real blackness in monochrome images.
My only nit is the tiny little something or other in the bottom left. It looks like something edges into the frame or got healed over but with a lighter source for the target. I attached a screens show circling what I see. It’s tiny, but if you print this huge on metal (which you should ) it might be obvious and, as a result, expensive.
YES !!! Paul. Beautiful Image. Great in B&W. The movement in the water and just the whole vibe of the shot. Really Nice. You captured your vision and brought my eye right to it. Real unique.
Hi Paul,
I quite like the mood in this scene as the darker tones lend an air of mystery to the image. The framing also works well with the water entering in the ULC and exiting out the LRC. The star of the show is that ice rimmed rock and the water flowing around it makes it all the more interesting. I only had two minor suggestions and they have already been mentioned by @Michael_Lowe and @Marylynne_Diggs. As far as the whites go they look great for my personal tastes. BTW, I thoroughly enjoyed your description.
Paul, this is nicely dramatic as presented with its high contrast. There’s good eye flow following the water with the crystal bits of ice making a fine halo on the rock.
Oh that’s a keeper Paul! I enjoy your version, but have to applaud @Michael_Lowe’s edit. His version brings out those water swirls that are so important to the image. Well seen and done sir!
Wow! Yin and Yang forces of stillness and movement. Love it. In answer to your question, I’d go lighter on the lightest whites of the ice. I also like Michael’s edit.
Thank you Micheal. I see the value of the edits you made. I still prefer things a little darker, but did lighten things just slightly (as in barely noticeable )
You’re right! Thank you! My original story posted on social media with the color version was titles (Slow Exhale). To many people made comments about smoking a certain substance, so I changed the story to go with the b&w version. Also, really good eye with seeing that issue at the bottom left. I had poorly cloned out the edge of a rock that I couldn’t “compsose” out. I also cloned out what you couldn’t tell where yellowish rocks on the lower right which created whitish blobs.
Paul, I think this is beautiful. The blacks don’t bother me one bit. I think the contrast is perfect for this scene. You are right about long exposures being tricky with ice and water, especially in black-and-white. But I think this shutter speed is about perfect. Any longer and you might have lost some of the edge detail in the ice.
I love the story behind the photograph, Paul. I always seem to enjoy your stories. It puts me directly in the mood of the place and I feel like all 5 senses are working with your images. So, thanks for your wonderful descriptions.
I love the inky black of your black and whites so I have issue at all with this one being dark in the still areas of the water. Perfect! I do appreciate the dodging of the white water and feel like it stands out a little tiny bit better than the original and removing the white blobs in the lower portion of the image was well done. So to me, the rework is better. I also think the shutter speed works for this image. More texture in the water would remove the dreamlike/smoke-like look that you’ve achieved here and it contrasts nicely with the super sharp edges of the ice. Normally I like more texture in water but it just wouldn’t work for this shot. Well done, Paul!
I just now saw this and think it is gorgeous! Not too dark at all. Lovely shapes, and the flowing water has the nicest hint of detail. All said above, and no nits!!
) it might be obvious and, as a result, expensive.
)
Also, really good eye with seeing that issue at the bottom left. I had poorly cloned out the edge of a rock that I couldn’t “compsose” out. I also cloned out what you couldn’t tell where yellowish rocks on the lower right which created whitish blobs.