The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I do not know if this will be anyone’s cup of tea, but I thought I would throw it out there and see what others thought. I came across this scene while hiking back up from Blackwater Falls in Blackwater Falls SP in WV. I am always amazed at how the natural world can carve out a habitable space and thrive in the least likely of places. I have no idea how old these trees are, but they seem to be doing well. I was captivated with the way the roots seemed to be caressing the rocks.
Specific Feedback
Does this image work for you or is it just a record shot? Am I trying to make something out of nothing?
Technical Details
Nikon Z7, Nikon 24-200 @ 24 mm, f 11 @ 4 sec, Kase magnetic CPL, cable release & tripod.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Ed: Great title and I’m glad you stopped and put forth the effort. It seems a bit too warm to me but perhaps I’m just in a mood tonight since I’m seeing that in other images. I do love the textures and the sense of wonder at how this happened. Well seen and nicely captured. >=))>
Ed, Since I am not so strong in giving comments or critiques. I try to tell what I see and feel in your great image in a haiku. Hope it suits the story. Ben
They rolled off the top
Now captured in their movement
Eternal embrace
Ed, I too have stopped and photographed tree roots, moss and stones…they’re a major part of the Eastern forest landscape. I think this works very well with it’s mix of leaves, roots, stones and moss. I’m enjoying the central “mouse walksay” winding into the distance. I think there are several cropped versions in here also…less stone on the right…reduced distance at the top…
Hi @Ed_Lowe, I too am a fan of rock/root interaction small scenes. I like your composition a lot but agree with @Bill_Fach about it being too warm for the shadows. Well seen!
I’m definitely a fan of these types of photos and have shot many myself. Overall, this is spectacular. Agree with @Bill_Fach that it feels a bit warm and I do prefer his re-work. I also think a very slight crop from the bottom, just up to where the leaves end, might be a slight improvement as it would eliminate the kind of “dead space” at the bottom. Certainly a winner in my book, @Ed_Lowe!
It’s certainly my cup of tea. Love it. My only nit is the white balance.I know you like your images warm, but I feel a little cooling would better balance the image.
I think it would be cool to see a time lapse following the germinated seed sending out it’s little root feelers, searching and searching , growing down the sides of the rock until they find the growth medium of the soil.
Many thanks everyone @Bill_Fach, @Ben_van_der_Sande, @Mark_Seaver, @guy, @Bret_Edge and @Michael_Lowe for your thoughtful C&C; always appreciated! Per your suggestions he is a rework. I cropped the rocks a little on the right and left as well as a little from the bottom. I also moved the midtones a little more to the blue to remove the yellow tint. What do you think?
@Ben_van_der_Sande : That works just fine as the haiku suits the story beautifully! @Michael_Lowe : I never thought of that; a time lapse would be pretty cool to watch!
I love this image, Ed. Definitely has vision. Color is a very subjective thing and overall I like the overall color usage. For my taste the yellow leaves are too intense but I’m looking in a dark room so maybe with different light conditions the colors would not look so strong. Nice work.
Oh, I almost forgot. I wonder how this would look in b&w.
This definitely is my cup of tea, Ed. I love intertwining branches that seem alive and full of character and then throw in the fall color in the leaves and the moss. Yummy. For me, it’s too warm in the yellows. I would cool this off even more than has been done so far but that’s just me. And my monitor in a relatively dark office so don’t take my comment to critically. You have great balance by adding the rock on the right side of the image and the two major tree roots in the center of the image. That rock hug is terrific though and it’s what this image is all about.
Yes, I quite agree. The b&w looks busy somehow, unfocused in meaning. There is a good range of tones but somehow things look like they’re everywhere. Like an untidy room. I now think the yellow leaves gave a certain order to the image.
I placed a frame temporarily around the original image and your composition is remarkably good. I like it very much. I also converted the image to b&w and tried out my theory. I brought up the yellows quite a bit and made everything else darker. It’s better but still not as good as the original colored version. I actually like the overall warm cast it has.
Ed: I encounter these types of scenes with roots and weird ways trees grow. You capture one of those scenes where the roots have grown around the rocks, which is amazing that they “know” how to do that! Re: the color spectrum if it’s true to what you saw then I’d be extremely happy with your photograph. Well done!
I do love the textures and the sense of wonder at how this happened. Well seen and nicely captured. >=))>
