Embrace

Image Critiques Landscape Critiques
1

Leo_Catana.jpg
Leo_Catana.jpg933×1400 560 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

Nature in Denmark is agriculturally cultivated, the land is mostly flat, and there are no iconic locations for landscape photographers. Living in Copenhagen does not make things easier, if that is what one is craving for. This circumstance invites one to explore local areas and smaller scenes. This image is an example.

Last fall I brought my camera to a local public garden and came across this plant with long linear leaves, which were leaning over some ivy and suggesting a circle. Some of the linear leaves were decaying and turned from green to yellow. Knowing that yellow comes out brighter than green when rendered in black-and-white, I previsualized a play of tonalities among the linear leaves, but also a subtle contrast between these leaves and the shapes, textures and patterns of the ivy leaves. When framed tightly, the circle, suggested by the linear leaves, embraces the ivy, but it also attracts and retains the eyes of the beholder; a second embrace.

Specific Feedback

In this image there are many local contrasts between different luminosities (linear leaves vs background), but little global contrast. Normally, that would not be a good starting point for a B&W image, but I have decreased highlights and increased shadows in order to arrive at a less contrasty image. Comments on this issue, and on composition and tonalities, are welcome, just like any other comments.

Technical Details

Camera: Nikon D850
Lens: Sigma 50 mm
Capture: 0,5 sec. at f11, ISO 64

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:
2

Hi @Leo_Catana, What a fine intimate landscape you have shared with us. Your B&W conversion is really wonderful. I really like the lovely luminous tones of the long leaves, they almost glow. They are wonderfully balanced by the ribbed ivy leaves below. It is a simple image, but really well seen superbly processed. So well done!

3

This very much works for me, @Leo_Catana. Your composition is spot on and the processing looks good, too. This is entirely a personal note, but I would be tempted to brighten the brightest spots - mostly the veins on the leaves - in the ivy, and possibly even add a bit of Orton effect to them. Leaving the other tones as-is, but brightening the highlights, might give this a bit more presence. Not a critique, just a suggestions. Lovely image.

4

Dear @guy and @Bret_Edge , thank you so much for your comments and suggestions, I really appreciate your time.

5

This is nice with a great descriptive title. When I opened it I was wondering if it was shot in B&W or if you previsualized it. Beautiful.

6

Dear Michael, thanks for your comment. I shot it in B&W: When I saw the scene, I noticed that the decaying linear leaves had turned yellow, whereas the rest of the linear leaves were less yellow and more green; I knew that yellow translates into a higher luminosity in B&W.

7

Great Contrast, Tone and Lines. Really nice Image…