The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive
About This Image
This is another image captured from our last trip to Blackwater Falls SP in WV. While talking to another photographer; that we crossed paths with; he suggested that Mike and I head over to the other side of Blackwater Canyon as he thought the reds were better looking back from that particular direction. We took his advice and in addition to the better reds there was some lovely light fog/mist which created this wonderful layering long the top of the canyon.
Feedback Requested
I used some dehaze; do you think I should take it farther? Do you think I should crop more of the sky? Anything else you notice please feel free to mention it.
Lovely scene. This is the kind of view my mother adored. I think 200 years of Appalachian life gets into one’s soul in a very specific way, and I know she found layers of hills like this more majestic and beautiful than the grandeur of Mt. Shasta or Denali. I am more in awe of the grander mountains, but to be honest, the ridges in Appalachia speak to me more deeply. This scene brings all of that up for me.
Regarding your questions: I think it is by nature a hazy scene, and that’s part of its appeal. It might be worth playing a tish more or boosting saturation or contrast to see if you like it better, but I wouldn’t try to turn it into a brilliant foliage scene.
About the sky: I like having it. It’s another layer, but I would be inclined to make it the same “width” (I guess it’s height technically) as the ridge below it. Give it some space, but not more than a ridgeline’s space.
Lovely scene, Ed. I don’t think there’s really any “correct” way to go with the crop. You could go either way for two perfectly valid images. Personally, I like keeping a sliver of sky for more of grander landscape feel that gives us a sense of place. Or you could go for a more intimate slice. Either way I think I would add a tiny, tiny, tiny bit of contrast. It still keeps the moody, misty feel while adding a tiny bit of pop to the trees. JMHO of course.
