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
I seldom use flash but I decided to play around with it. This was one result.
Feedback Requested
All comments are welcome. I think it’s interesting but the unlikely light may make viewers think more about how it was made than about the result. That’s not the kind of reaction I’m after.
I suppose for a photographer like all who are seeing your image here… I’m guessing already know that flash was probably used? So no, I’m not really focused on how it was made… but my impression was that dang, this is a great and effective use of flash to showcase the Cacti… Even more so, your purposeful composition and choice of exposure and processing.
This is very cool and a job well done. If I had any suggestion or wish, it would be to have a little more separation between the top of the cacti and the horizon and bottom of the saguaro. Not a deal breaker though.
Also, an effective use of the vignette. I’m really liking this. It’s unique; well conceived.
Don, my reaction from the thumb, was that this was a double exposure. Seeing that you used flash and an 18mm lens, it’s a clear indication of possibilities… I do like the story about big and small cacti and the colors in teh sky and the forground cactus blend well. I’d burn-in the foreground cactus to let the visual interest between it and the saguaro plus sky match a bit better. Right now the flash lit catcus is dominant.
This is really good. I love the lighting and especially the use of the flash.
I recently switched out some lenses and have been reorganizing my bag, and I was debating whether or not to bring the flash. This photo helps me decide to bring it!
I also really like the way the image was processed.
Well done.
Wow. You’re on a roll. This is excellent. Very creative and artistic. I see a lot of symbolism here. I don’t see reality or think how it’s made. I see the passion of Christ and desert wanderings all rolled into one. Perhaps it’s my upbringing. Anyway, this image goes way beyond realism for me. Most of it is due to the subject matter but some has to do with the fact that it’s monotoned. Maybe I’m just being carried away with fantasies but that way my initial impression. There’s also the sharp detail of the barrel cactus and the ambiguity of the darker background. Definitely an intriguing piece of work.
Igor, thanks for the comment. I wasn’t conscious of the religious overtones until you mentioned them. That doesn’t mean they weren’t at work subliminally.
Don: Eye grabbing shot for sure and it’s growing on me. It reminds me of images done with light painting , which in a sense this is. Like @Mark_Seaver I find the barrel cactus a touch bright so I played with it some and simply reduced the exposure .25 stops. I’m not sure if I like it better this way or yours. Back to you for your consideration.>=))>
Very, very creative, Don. I have not used flash in years but this has me thinking and that’s a good think even though my wife gets scared to death when I start thinking. :))))
Well thought out and a great use of subjects. The orange glow in the sky really makes this image work. If I was to suggest one thing it would be to burn the LLC to better match the LRC and then maybe burn both those corner a little bit more. Really creative and inspiring, Don.
Thanks, David. I had also gotten out of the habit of taking my flash along. I’ve used it a couple of times since I took this shot and I’m remembering how useful it can be.
Don, what a great image! I really like the colors and the lighting. Not gimmicky at all from my perspective. I love the juxtaposition of the the cacti. Very cool.
This is a very unique and creative take on the desert landscape during the nighttime hours. I like the way the tones of the barrel cactus mimic those in the sky. Even though the FG cactus is dominant I find the star of the show to be the BG saguaro cactus as everything seems to be funneled in that direction. My only suggestion would be the already mentioned slight toning down of the brightness of the barrel cactus.Beautifully done.
This is the kind of image that would make an awesome poster for something like a desert museum. I agree with comments above that when I view the image large the foreground cactus completely dominates the scene and toning it down might yield something ,more along the lines of what you’re looking for. You didn’t mention how you set your flash, but if you use it on manual power adjustment you can dial in the foreground in the field pretty closely.
I really like the composition you created doing this and the creative lighting-just think it needs some tonal adjustment to become a great image.
I’m not convinced with the idea of making the cactus more natural to match the sky. To me the cactus is more of a symbol than part of nature. In this case I would argue that it’s right to have the cactus look other worldly. I would emphasize that difference. To make the two incongruous. It’s a conceptual image not a natural landscape.
