The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic + Technical
About This Image
Well, I’ve about played out my Yosemite images and so having to reach back in to the archives. Not too far, this single ICM was captured earlier this year at our local nature reserve. Glad I looked back because I had forgotten all the ones from that outing!
Feedback Requested
As always, all comments and feedback are welcome. This one is pretty simple ICM.
What general impressions do you get from this?
Another title comes to mind, “Waves of Grain”. What do you see?
How are the colors and processing in general? Any ideas for improvement?
Technical Details
Camera: NIKON Z 7_2
Lens: NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR
Focal length: 43mm
Shutter speed: 1/4s
Aperture: f/13
ISO: 31
Lon: Field of Dreams has it over Waves of Grain simply because it’s green. Now if it was amber . . . Another terrific result and I can tell you’re delighting in these images. You’re acquiring quite a collection of winners. Did you do a twisting motion to get this effect? Also, was there subject motion contributing? However you got here the technique worked beautifully.>=))>
I really like this image, Lon. The almost monochromatic palette of fresh greens gives it a wonderfully calm and harmonious feel, while the motion blur makes the grass seem very much alive. The ICM effect is very subtle — almost like a soft layer of green cream floating over the grass.
I especially like the transition from the luminous, almost ethereal area at the top to the deep greens and shadows at the bottom. Together with the subtle diagonal flow through the frame and the darker areas along the lower edges, it gives the image both structure and movement without needing a distinct subject.
“Waves of Grain” describes it very well to me — I can almost see the wind moving through the field. I wouldn’t change much in the processing; the restrained color palette and the balance between softness and detail are a big part of what makes the image work for me.
I love the sense of flow in this image, Lon. It evokes a strong feeling of growth and life. I think “waves of grain” resonates more with me than “field of dreams”, largely because the latter gives me visions of a larger area than this image seems to encompass.
I like this image for its suggestiveness. I think I respond to it better than most ICMs due to the more restrictive use of movement. The repeating swirls are very engaging. Don’t know what to suggest. That area A1 feels a bit too ghostly but I’m not sure about that since there are other areas like that as well, yet they don’t draw attention.
Thanks Karl, unfortunately no. In fact, the 1/4s is my default speed for ICM’s, and in this case when I started exploring this field of grasses, the results were showing great potential with the light and circumstances, so I just kept working the scene. (I may or may not show another from this shoot.)
I had the same thoughts on the title Bill. If these were autumn grasses instead of spring greens, “Waves of Grain” would have been it!
As far as the motion goes, I don’t recall exactly, but from the image, I’m pretty sure it’s an initial vertical motion with a quick jerk to the side - all during a 1/4s exposure. It happens quick! There may have been some motion in the grass from a breeze, but I don’t recall any wind from the session, so that motion would have been negligible.
Thanks for that. Food for thought in that goes along with the concept of “less is more.” I try and keep the speed and amount of motion limited - but it mostly depends on the subject matter. But something for me to keep in mind for the various techniques.
Good call on that little area Igor. I’m guessing as Bill eluded, perhaps there was some extra movement in the grasses themselves that could have made that little area a little more dreamy.
Another terrific result and I can tell you’re delighting in these images. You’re acquiring quite a collection of winners. Did you do a twisting motion to get this effect? Also, was there subject motion contributing? However you got here the technique worked beautifully.>=))>