The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
It has been a while since I have posted. This is an image that I took a few years from my favorite spot along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the mountains of North Carolina. This is the kind of sunset that I have been hoping for in all my visits to this location. Although I have taken a lot of photos that I like from this spot I often either had too many or too few clouds for this kind of sunset. But on this night it all came together and I am excited about the results.
I’m just now editing it because I have been working on building up the processing chops needed for this image.
Specific Feedback
All comments and critiques are welcome, but I’m mainly interested in your thoughts on the processing of the image. I am striving for a believably natural look to the image. I find these kind of images to be very difficult to process not so much from the mechanics, but from the perspective of getting all of the tonal relationships to look natural and vibrant while avoiding it looking over processed. I think it’s close, but welcome your input!
Technical Details
Capture Info:
F/8 @ 1/15 sec; ISO 125
45mm full frame equivalent.
The recipe:
This is a 5 image exposure blend using the raw files as embeded smart objects. The bottom 2/3 of the image comes from the base exposure while the remaining 4 images were used to layer in the highlights in the background ridges and sky.
Once the blend was complete I used TK’s luminosity masks to massage the contrast. I also fine tuned the color with a color balance adjustment as well as TK’s vibrance masks. Finally, I added a pinch of “Make it Glow” from TK’s action panel. I liked how this brought out more of the rays in the background ridges.
I believe that the sun was hiding behind the cloud at the top of the frame. I intentionally left the highlights in the sky bright (but not blown out).
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
Emotional Impact and Mood:
Composition:
Balance and Visual Weight:
Depth and Dimension:
Color:
Lighting:
Processing:
Technical:
Hi Brian,
The view is definitely grand and the light was certainly magical this particular evening. Your persistence in trying to capture the image you had in your mind has rewarded you with this lovely scene. It is such a grand feeling when everything finally comes together and you reap the rewards. Beautifully done!
It is a wonderful photograph. I think you did a phenomenal job on the processing and it looks completely believable. The sun rays in the BG add so much to the feel of the photo. The only thing that I would like is if the second conifer along the right edge was not there. Its not a deal breaker, but it makes the photo right side heavy. The darker conifer along with the band of darker trees on the left do balance out.
A very fine high quality grand scenic view in sumptuous light with the recessionary fall off of sharpness of the peaks in a misty peach coloured haze. It looks to me that this would make a very fine print to hang on a wall and admire. Beautiful control of light. I do have one minor suggestion your tall pine on the right is very natural looking but has more luminosity than that very similar sized one just a little to the left and indeed the ones on the left side of the frame. I think the one on the right side looks the most natural and best represented, and you could probably just lift the brightness and preserve the colour of the other pines to more closely match the one on the right side of frame. A slightly different approach to Youssef’s suggestion but maybe worth a try.
I’m not sure you could have done a better job on the processing, Brian. It’s definitely not overcooked. If anything, some of those trees in the bottom third could still take a little more saturation and perhaps even an increase in mid and highlights, leaving the shadows where they are. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the current version; my suggestion is simply an alternative. I do find myself wishing the evergreen in the LRC wasn’t quite so close to the edge of the frame. Just a touch of breathing room over there would have helped, IMHO. I do like how those two trees seem to balance out the rising ridges and layers on the left, though. Nice work!
What a lovely scene. I think your processing looks great but sounds like too much trouble to me. I guess that’s why I’ll never be great. I hate processing. My only nit is the conifer on the right edge of the frame. I tried cropping it out. Don’t know if it works or not. My 4x3 crop might be crimping the scene a little too much.
Bryan, I think your efforts have resulted in a very natural looking view, especially the brightness and details in the sky. The sense of depth is something that is special to the Blue Ridge Mountains and you’ve got an outstanding collection of ridges fading into the distance here.
I guess that’s why I’ll never be great. I hate processing. My only nit is the conifer on the right edge of the frame. I tried cropping it out. Don’t know if it works or not. My 4x3 crop might be crimping the scene a little too much.