# Charred Ponderosa **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** weekly-challenge\ **Created:** [December 16, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/charred-ponderosa/38551 "2023-12-16T16:32:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Kilgour](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/john_kilgour/32/55138_2.png) [@John\_Kilgour](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/John_Kilgour)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/charred-ponderosa/38551/1 "2023-12-16T16:32:46Z")
![Untitled.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/1/7/17920a5e813f0c972c3fd5ac1ddd18e629256217.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description I go hiking in a lot of places that have been affected by wildfire, and I really enjoy photographing the different patterns and textures that are left behind on burned trees. This one is in a place I go to a lot, and, although it’s hard to know just by looking at it, I’m pretty sure it’s a ponderosa based on the location and the other trees growing nearby. The flaky layers in the image also look to me like the layered bark that develops on ponderosas. I shot this on an overcast day last February. There was a lot of snow on the ground, which I think helped add some reflected light. ### Specific Feedback I took this as a horizontal image and cropped this section out of the center of the frame. I converted to black and white in Lightroom and have played around with a lot of lighting adjustments. Any and all feedback or suggestions would be appreciated! ### Technical Details 47 mm, ISO 250, f/5.6, 1/80 ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@Ed\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 4:00am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/charred-ponderosa/38551/2 "2023-12-17T04:00:33Z")
This has a nice range of tones and I am enjoying the lines and textures of the scorched bark in the larger version. Beautifully done John! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kilgour](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/john_kilgour/32/55138_2.png) [@John\_Kilgour](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/John_Kilgour)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/charred-ponderosa/38551/3 "2023-12-17T23:04:27Z")
Thank you, @Ed_Lowe. I appreciate the feedback! ---
**Author:** ![Cameron\_Wilcox](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/cameron_wilcox/32/43975_2.png) [@Cameron\_Wilcox](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Cameron_Wilcox)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/charred-ponderosa/38551/4 "2023-12-18T20:36:00Z")
Wonderful shot John. It has such weight, it almost feels like the side of a skyscraper or a rock cliff. Makes for a great photo. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kilgour](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/john_kilgour/32/55138_2.png) [@John\_Kilgour](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/John_Kilgour)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 2:11pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/charred-ponderosa/38551/5 "2023-12-19T14:11:35Z")
Thank you, @Cameron_Wilcox. I appreciate the feedback. I like your comparison to a skyscraper. The way that burned wood reflects light is very interesting. To me, it often takes on a very metallic look.