The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Recently I spent a weekend in Yosemite Valley. This was the first area that spent time photographing in the El Capitan Meadow. There is a stand of cottonwood trees on the south side of the meadow that I have been trying to capture for years. I made several photos of the stand, none of which I feel truly capture it. I have one more coming. This is a tight crop as I was fascinated by the vertical and horizontal lines the trees were making with their trunks and branches.
Specific Feedback
Looking for any general feedback on the image, and in particular if the delicate nature of these trees is coming through.
Technical Details
Nikon D850, Nikon 80-200 mm f/4 MF lens at 200mm, f11 at 1/30 sec ISO 100. Small crop off the bottom to get a 4x5 ratio. Processed in ACR and PS.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Hi Youssef, This is a fine study of the cottonwoods you have shared with us. The image really nicely captures the lovely feeling of the golden leaves. The one change Iād suggest is to bring down the tones of the sun brightened grass showing behind the trees, it looks to be lighter than the grass in the foreground. This lightness is acting as a trapped highlight that draws my eye away from the trees. Bring that down, and I think you will keep the attention where you want it.
Youssef, I like the overall colors of the cottonwood trees. I like the natural feel and the fact that the colors are not over saturated. Forest scenes tend to be busy and chaotic but I am not feeling that here. Nice capture.
I enjoy the interplay of branches and leaves. I found myself wanting to crop out much of the bottom, leaving only the leaves and branches. I tried to find a way to separate the hue of leaves, and of branches vs leaves, but found that the tiny size of this jpeg left the leaves not well defined. Maybe Photoshop (or other) capability to enlarge the file and sharpen might be worth a try,.
@Dick_Knudson I tried to separate the leaves from the trunks as well. I wanted to accentuate the trunks and branches more but had trouble creating a mask. I will go back and try again.
Yes Yussef the cottonwood in autumn are very nice and I love them too. I prefer the first image with the larger composition because to my eyes it represets better the nature of a grove of cottonwoods at fall. I like the meadow in the ground, the cottonwoods and the grassy undergrow make a monochromatic yellow image very pleasant for my eyes. A personal opinion of course.
