The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I had been watching for fall colors where the trees/colors were past peak when I saw these Cottonwoods alongside the Yellowstone River. They have a nice mix of peak and off peak colors. The light snow was a bonus as it obscurred the color in the grasses on the ridges behind them.
I was focussed on the tree saturation and the distant hills, so I hadn’t paid attention to the water along the bottom. The new version has burned-in the highlights in the water and made the distant hills a tiny bit easier to see. (The hill adjustment doesn’t seem to be showing up in the jpg…)
Specific Feedback
I’m looking for a bit of warmth and a bit of mystery here with the ridges fading into the snow. I added some mid-tone contrast, which increased the saturation of the trees…to much??
Technical Details
R5, 100-500 @ 324, 1/640 s, f/10, iso 640, tripod.
Critique Template
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Mark,
I really like the subtle effect of the barely visible ridge line.
As to the trees and the midtone contrast boost, I think the boost is fine, but maybe it affected the trees more than the foreground in front of the trees. So if you want to go with the increased contrast, maybe try also increasing it in the foreground. That would give a pretty realistic atmospheric perspective too, with details and saturation strong in the foreground, and then fading as you go. I don’t know how this would look in practice, but it might be worth a try.
Mark, the composition here is wonderful and nicely balanced. The color saturation in the trees looks natural and not overdone. I think I see what @WillR is getting at with a tad more contrast in the FG.
The falling snow giving just a hint of the background and the ridge is very effective.
Hi Mark,
I quite like this as it does have that bit of warmth and mystery you were trying to convey. The saturation and processing look very natural and not overdone; perfect for my personal tastes. I do like the effect of the falling snow partially obscuring that ridgeline in the BG. Very nicely done.
This is just simply lovely!! I don’t find the trees over-saturated at all, and they stand out so nicely witht he river echoing the grays of the BG. I don’t see any need to increase contrast in the FG – in face I would be interested in seeing it decreased (up to the bank) with a graduated burn from the bottom, as the FG water feels like the brightest area and I want to spend my time in those very cool trees. Wonderful lighting and natural filter here!!
This looks great Mark, and the hint of the ridge behind is a unique tease. Those colors are really nice, and I think you could selectively brighten the yellows without losing the overall misty ambiance.
I’ve been looking at this for a while, and I have to say that I like this very much. For me what makes this is the furthest layer of hills. It’s so subtle and almost imperceptible but it adds so much overall to the image. Nicely done!
I love conditions like this and you’ve managed to produce a winner here, Mark. I do think the revised version is ever so slightly better. The color of the leaves pop so nicely against the muted palette of the rest of the image. The falling snow gives the image an interesting texture that in my opinion, lends this an ethereal mood that I rather enjoy. No nits from me!
