Please share your first response before reading the hidden notes below. The photographer is looking for an unbiased initial impression.
Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive
Questions for Viewers
Do the trees on the left bother you?
About This Image
I feel a bit divided about this image; on the one hand, I realize that the tree trunk on the left might be a little intrusive, but on the other hand, I don’t want to focus solely on the splash of color itself and lose touch with reality.
I like it the way it is, so for now, I’ll leave it like this.
To me, it’s all about colour and contrasts. I think it works really well with most of the frame blue/grey and then the contrasting warm orange.
It’s a lovely composition .- well balanced - great shot
there are enough verticals so the paler silver birch doesn’t bother me
Joao: I love scenes like this full of texture , detail and chaos all in one. The color palette is especially nice and I think the strong trunk on the left is a good framing device. For me this is well seen and very nicely rendered.>=))>
Joao, I very much like the color and the mass of interesting detail. I find it uncomfortable to look at, though, because the trees at the center and on the right are leaning clockwise. The tree on the left is straight but it’s the least significant.
We were talking about Eliot Porter on the Intimate Landscape thread and this reminds me so much of his style. From my point of view the oranges are a bit overwhelming. The image is subtle in color and although the orange is a wonderful accent I would be judicious in its usage. You may be right on however I would reconsider it. I love the tangled composition though.
In a word, NO. In fact one of the important elements are the more horizontal branches towards the front of the image. If you were to crop it (I can’t see cloning it out - no way!), you cut in to the horizontal branches reaching out. In addion, that horizontal space provides breathing room for the splash of orange.
I think this works perfectly as presented. I did have a thought to consider for an alternative view - all depending of course what you’re trying to say here. But Igor’s comment about the orange being a bit overwhelming got me thinking. Rather than just address that color selectively, what about adding a b&w layer and then with opacity settings and a soft brush, one could soften all the colors surrounding the orange tree - not going all the way, but a subtle drop in color - and at the same time, soften the orange with a much lower opacity; taking the edge off the orange. Combine that with the soften colors all around, the impact of the orange in the frame is almost the same. Hope that makes sense.
Regardless, you have a wonderful image to work with.
