Here’s a 2nd version with some radial filters applied to further massage the luminosity in reds and greens, plus an object selection of the trunk with increased texture & clarity. Also cloned out some of the edge leaves. Thoughts?
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
A person can get dizzy looking up this time of year. Was walking on a bit of the Ice Age Trail I’ve never been on when I found an enormous Red Maple. They don’t usually get this big so I was entranced and dizzy for a while as I looked up and marveled. Lucky for me it had some interesting branches and neighbors that added a bit of contrast. For me it captures fall quite well even if red is a rarity here in Wisconsin compared to New England where I’m from.
Specific Feedback
Luminosity was hard to tame, but I think I did ok. Composition look ok? These are so tough to do well. Did I come close?
Technical Details
Handheld w/CPL on slightly
Lr to fiddle with white balance and lift shadows quite a bit. Some vibrance & texture. Slight crop.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Hi Kristen, I think it’s a marvelous example of giving us that “dizzy when you look up” feeling. It is hard to get these right, but what makes it work for me is the way the main trunk comes in on the diagonal, and lifts itself up into the sky. I was wishing the right center branch wasn’t touching the main center branch, but that may have been impossible. Great color separation with the green peeking in from the corners, and, of course, the blue in the sky (which is just right IMHO). Nicely done.
What a perfect color pallete! You’ve got them all in there! The only thing I might say it a little shadow reduction on the trunk to expose those textures a bit. I love that you have green in every corner…sort of a color vignette going on! I dont think I’d be afraid to add a little more luminance in the reds towards the center …maybe a radial filter would handle the trunk and the reds in one fell swoop. Definitely makes me want to experience this scene just for the sensory experience of it all.
Thanks @Connie_McClaran & @Paul_Holdorf - foliage season is done up this way so I’m glad I got out a few times to enjoy it. I’m heading to Tennessee next week for a fall waterfall workshop so will have a rebound. Not sure I’ll get this rainbow again, but I’m sure it will be lovely. Might just have a play with using a radial filter to massage this a little more. The branches are what they are and yeah I wish they were configured differently, but after dancing around and tripping over my own feet to find a decent composition, this is the best I could do. Going wider introduced trees unconnected with it and I preferred having them as border elements.
I got way behind here with the visiting comet, but had to catch up with this one – I love it! All said above about the colors and composition – gorgeous! I could see a bit more detail in the trunk but no big deal.
Hi Kris,
I love the way you filled the frame with this gorgeous red maple all decked out in it’s autumn splendor. I also like the fact that you included a little green in each corner. My only suggestion would be to clone out those couple of small bits of green leaves along the right edge in the blue sky. Wonderful image.
Kris, you’ve caught this red maple at it’s peak, with a complete set of colors. The trunk has a fine shape also. This definitely speaks of a lovely fall day.
Thanks @Diane_Miller, @Ed_Lowe & @Mark_Seaver - it was such a great find from a foliage and a tree perspective. Most of the red maples I find are spindly and have several straight branches aiming right up to the sky, so aren’t terribly photogenic even if the color is great. Such a treat with this beauty. I’ve added a second version in the OP for consideration. I think Paul’s suggestion about the trunk was a good one.
Wonderful find here of this very old maple. Excellent colour pallette and comp. The darkness of the trunk bothered me a bit; I think @Diane_Miller’s version with more trunk /bark detail is an improvement.
Great autumn image!
Thanks @SandyR-B - I was so happy to find this big baby and that it hadn’t shed its leaves yet. I find that red maples are some of the first to do so, like Basswood and Ash.
OK, I had a go at the trunk again. Did I take it too far?
Just got back here (have been in Comet-land) – I think you’ve punched up the drama nicely. The trick I used on the trunks was to paint a quick mask with a soft brush that didn’t go to the edges so the lightening (with Curves) had a 3D effect.
Kris, The third version brings out the detail in the trunk nicely. Your point of view looking up is also most effective . And, the round leaves are almost pointerly, if that’s a word. I like it. Nice image. Larry
Thanks @SandyR-B, @Diane_Miller & @Larry_Greenbaum - as I look out at all the bare trees, this image particularly warms my heart. It was a special moment and I hope I can revisit this tree for years to come. It’s not too far away, just over the county line.
