The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Paradise at Mt. Rainier receives a huge amount snow each winter. When we’re lucky enough to have the road open and new snow, it is a photographer’s paradise, indeed.
Technical Details
ISO 320. f/8. 1/1200 sec hand held (tripods get heavy up here)
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Oooh this is so attractive and inviting. I just love conifers with a fresh load of snow. The near symmetry works well as does the center placement. BTW, I handhold just about everything in winter since it’s so bright. That said, it looks a tad soft for some reason - not a lot of definition in the branches/needles. Is it a big crop maybe? The shutter speed should have been sufficient for freezing a breeze as long as it wasn’t a really strong one.
Hi Delton, these types of winter photos are some of my favorites. The winter’s snow makes photographing trees irresistible. Especially when they present themselves as you have them composed here. With only the barest of visible hints that there’s a hillside, and nothing to distract, the shapes of the trees in their groups are just lovely. I know that atmospheric haze can present a challenge in the winter, so I wonder if a little dehaze would do the trick on the softness? OR - embrace the softness as winter is kind of about that soft haze.
Delton, this is a very nicely minimalist look at these trees. In viewing the large version, the trees show nice sharp edges, even as there is a sense of softness. Was it snowing or foggy when you took this?
Mark: Thank you. Yes, that’s the terrific light we get in the high mountains here in winter–very bright, misty, freezing fog, etc. Hand hold everything at fast shutter speeds, etc. Hoping for more of the same this winter.
I love the concept here Delton. One of my goals this year is to try to flesh out some of these smaller scenes this winter, and I really like the balance you captured here. The split in the trees is an essential part of the story for me.
Much of the image has blown highlights. Was that intentional to add to the minimalism?
I’ve got a couple weekends circled on the calendar to spend a couple nights each, and I’m hoping the weather cooperates. We found a really nice place to camp north of Mazama Ridge last year, and hope to head back there for at least one of those weekends. I look forward to seeing what you come back with this winter!
Hi Delton,
This is lovely. There might be some compression, or a lack of sharpening in post-processing? I’ll let others analyze that.
I love the composition: The asymmetrical clusters of trees, the path in between with no growth, the sense of mystery and nothingness beyond. It all works beautifully. I love the high key effect of the highlights, but I’m not experienced enough as a printer to know how that would pan out if you chose to print this. If you did print it, I would go metal or acrylic to give it that glassy feel.
Delton, this is a lovely minimalist image. I like the composition of the trees, and also that you’ve left enough room around them for the image to breathe.
Having visited Paradise for the first time this Fall, it’s fascinating to see it in its winter glory. Unfortunately, I don’t live nearby, so a winter visit isn’t possible. But my wife and I have enjoyed checking in on the Paradise webcams to see the snow levels, and the hearty souls who come visit. Did you snow-shoe in to get the shot?
