The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
I feel that the image succeeds at depicting the snow storm at the peak of those mountains. Not sure what could be improved.
Creative direction
I don’t have a specific vision for this image. I think I help convey the message with the title of the image and focusing on the storm
Specific Feedback
I’d like feedback as if the image was being judged for a competition. All aspects are welcomed. Interested in hearing your thoughts
Technical Details
1/16000
F 6.3
ISO 160
Nikkor Z 100 -400 240mm
Image is cropped to focus only on this area. Edited in LRC
Converted to B&W. Original image looks almost BW but has a hint of blue and shows the blue sky when not cropped
Description
This image was captured in the middle of the day. The snow was blowing off the top of the mountain. The contrast of the snow is emphasized by the midday sun against the trees and peak of the mountain. I converted the image to BW to get rid of the hint of blue. The original file almost looks black and white. I cropped it to emphasize this section that was getting blown but I do like the larger image as well as I have a bird flying into the scene
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
OK right on! Thanks!
Lots to work with here.
I think the reason I originally asked is because it felt like a lot of detail was lost in the crop and the trees looked muddy.
I see why you cropped though, and there’s a lot of options to work with there!
What do you think of this crop?
One of the issues I was having with the original crop was the super bright area at the top of the frame. In my crop, it’s more on the side with a bit of padding to allow the eye the opportunity to move a bit more. Maybe personal choice!
Mostly, I’d look at some of the contrast here as it feels super punchy and I’d like to see some of the shadow detail stay in place while preserving some of the highlights too.
Both the crop and the full image are spectacular. I’m probably a little partial to the crop not so much for composition but because the stark black and white, high contrast scene is just so dynamic. That’s not to say it isn’t a great composition, because it is, but it’s the tonalities and power that draw me to it. It’s hard for me to critique it as if it were in a competition because there aren’t other images for me to compare it to but my initial response is definitely positive.
To me, there is something fascinating about the cropped image. Given the amount of dark tonalities with little information, my eyes move to the silhouettes of the trees in the lower part of your image, probably because of the high contrast in this area, but also because these silhouettes provide starting points for interpreting the scene. When I look at the original file, I see that there are somewhat similar trees outside the crop, to the right: I wonder how it would work if more of the area to the right were included? That would integrate some of the U-shape of the valley, which might (or might not) work compositionally.
Hi Martha, I like the moody scene that you have focused on here. The contrast of the image is good for this mood. When I saw the larger image I liked what you are working with there and then I noticed the lone bird soaring and it added to the scene for me. Like Leo I also think the tree silhouettes are important to the scene. I also wonder if including more of the right side with the other slope and including the bird with less sky would be additive. It is a nice moody image which I like to try and get in the mountains when weather permits.
