The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Here is another scene from my slightly unorthodox chase of some spring color in April. For whatever reason most of the scenes that caught my attention included sections of the woodland that had not leafed out yet; so I tried to incorporate them into the image. I quite enjoy being able to get a glimpse of the trees with all their various shapes; which are not readily available later on. I just decided to embrace the chaos. I was really struck with how vibrant the reds were as they rivaled those most often seen in the autumn. I also liked the color variety of reds, greens, yellows and orange throughout the frame as well as the darker tones of the bare trees.
Specific Feedback
Does the chaos work for anyone or is it just me? If you have any other thoughts please feel free to mention it.
Technical Details
Nikon Z 7, Nikon 100-400 @ 380, f 11 @ 1/25, ISO 100, Kase Magnetic CPL, cable release & tripo
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Wow. I’ve really enjoyed these tree studies you’ve been posting Ed, but this is my favorite so far. First off, I love the mix of color, and the leafless branches on the left and right really set off that center section.
I find chaos to be interesting. As an image becomes more chaotic it often becomes less attractive to most viewers. However that rule, like all rules in art, isn’t absolute. There’s the occasional moment where the chaos begins to meld into cohesion and it’s a beautiful thing. I suppose some might view those branches on the left as intruding, but for me they add a wonderful “cherry on top” to the main show in front.
This is so painterly Ed. At full-size it just sings. My only nit is that it’s yours, not mine.
I would have sworn this was a fall image with those beautiful red leaves. You chose a perfect title for the image. I’ve spent a few minutes with the image and can’t find anything to critique. Composition is perfect and it’s very obvious that you considered what to include/exclude. All the elements in the photo play an important part. Colors are gorgeous, processing is spot on. Bravo!
Very nice. It’s hard to get the vibrant greens and reds together because they don’t necessarily happen at the same time. You certainly got them here.
This composition clearly has purpose for everything that’s included in the frame. I’m wondering if you have more bare branches o the right to better balance the left?? Not that it’s a deal breaker but I’m just wondering. I love vibrant green leaves in the center of the frame with the vibrant red leaves just underneath. It rings true to your title. I also love the muted but noticeable orange leaves on the very left portion of the frame. They are subtle and it they are enhanced by the bare branches around them. I might reduce the greens in the lower right corner to better match the bareness of the left but then again, I’m not sure about that. I love the richness and depth of this image and it is very painterly. You’ve posted some great Spring scenes lately and I’m thinking this one may be your best yet.
Ed, I love the contrasts between complimentary colours whenever I see them, so I really love the red/green combo you have in this image. I think that this colour contrast really adds to this image and makes it stand out from your typical forest scene. Nicely done and no nits from me.
Ed, this is a great take on spring colors in a deciduous forest. The reds and green show very well. I could see cropping to 4x5, losing the darkness on the left or doing some mid-tone dodging the give the oranges on the left more presence.
This really does give a autumn vibe. On initial viewing I wasn’t sure about including the darker leafless left side in the composition, but it has grown on me. I quite like it. Nicely done.
Thanks for your thoughts on this image everyone @John_Williams, @Bret_Edge, @Don_Peters, @WillR, @David_Haynes, @Tom_Nevesely, @Mark_Seaver and @Michael_Lowe; always appreciated. I knew the composition was a little unorthodox with the areas on the left and right sides where the trees hadn’t leafed out as much, but I was hoping that bit of a glimpse into the surrounding woodland would let the viewer enjoy their different shapes and sizes as well as the vibrant spring colors. Sometimes I just don’t like my images to be orderly and neat, but a little chaotic as this one is. Here is the original raw file so I can play around a little with various crops.
Ed, here’s a thought, visualized… I like the colors and the darkness in the bottom as adding a 3D sense. What I did here besides cropping to 4x5 (and burning the bright bare tree, bottom left) is using mid-tone burning and dodging to bring out the colors.
