The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
On my way back from a location that I had thought of as promising, but which turned out not to be so, I passed by this meadow, which is normally inconspicuous. On this day, however, the meadow was flooded and frozen, and patterns had emerged on the ice. The patterns were formed around small elevations of earth. I am not sure what caused these elevations — roots of plants pertruding above the ground? Moles?
Specific Feedback
I am open to all sorts of feedback, but at the moment I am mostly interested in getting feedback on the handling of the tonalities. Could I improve the image by changing the luminosity of various parts of the image?
Technical Details
Nikon D850
Sigma 35 mm f1.4
ISO 100
f.11
1 sec.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Hello, Leo,
I think the patterns on the ice are very cool. I like the photo in general, and its careful composition.
Regarding the tosn of the same I suggest trying a better separation of the trees in the middle plan.
What an interesting scene! I agree with Igor that there is a tension between the ice and background trees. What caught my eye right away, though, are those dark spots and shapes in the ice. It occurred to me that it might be interesting to carry that motif (dark spots in a light background) through the frame.
I thought that lightening up all but the darkest parts of the forest might be interesting (since you asked about alternative tonalities). Here’s my thought, which has quite a different feel (less mysterious) than your original (quite mysterious and moody). Just an alternative, not necessarily better.
One thing I noticed is that there is a lighter tree almost right in the upper middle whose lightness continues downwards past the tree into the bushes and even the ice. I’m wondering if that is an artifact of processing. I see it in both the original and @Bonnie_Lampley’s rework.
I generally like Bonnie’s rework. The only drawback I see is that the rings around the dots are more fascinating in the original. In fact, it’s those circles that are the most interesting aspects of this image.
Dear Igor, Joao and Bonnie, thank you so much for your comments!
@joaoquintela, you definitely have a point with regard to the separation of the trees in the middle plan.
@Bonnie_Lampley, thanks for this suggestion, which I’ll print your reworking and ponder it.
@Igor_Doncov, you may be right that it is an artifact produced during processing. I spotted it myself and wondered: It looks like a reflection of the three, but it does not make sense, because one would expect the same reflections on the ice from other threes in similar positions, which are not there. So I guess your hunch is correct: an artifact made during processing.
All in all very useful feedback that I’ll take with me, so thanks!
Love this scene! What a fascinating effect in the meadow with the circles and star-like black centers.
The composition is solid - I’d even say the 1/3 - 2/3 balance between the meadow and the trees is excellent.
Overall, I think you did a great job with the tonality. Certainly a difficult task given the even tonalities in the trees themselves. I like Bonnie’s idea of brightening and/or separating those trees a bit. I took a slightly different approach and actually darkened the shadows in the trees in combination with dodging the canopies to try and create some separation in the tree line.
Of course the main subject are the patterns in the frozen meadow. Very unique! To emphasize these patterns I raised the whites a little in ACR and then both dodged and burned around those patterns. Subtle, but hopefully effective.
Honestly, how you 've handled the tones works beautifully as presented. With these types of scenes in b&w, it’s really just a matter of personal preference at this point. I think something as simple as dodging and burning to emphasize what you is really all you need.
The bg forest/trees are a bit chaotic, which is a-ok because the forest isn’t the story, it’s the backdrop or accent to the meadow. Speaking of the trees in the bg, IMHO, that lone tree reflecting I think is just that. I think more of an optical illusion that it’s reflection continues. What stands out more for me is the bright birch? trunk right of center. I targeted that trunk and reduce the brightness as it was an eye magnet for me.
An outstanding image that could be worked on and presented in many different ways. Here’s my interpretation. Again, mostly dodging/burning and a Dark Levels to drop the shadows up top (masked out the ice)
I’ll just fall right in line Leo, and ooh and aw about those patterns. Very cool (no pun intended); congrats on the EP!
I agree that there are a lot of ways to process this, but overall I like your original image. I could see adding a slight vignette, and maybe darkening those brightest tree trunks, but those are just small thoughts.
First of all, this is a very nice image already, and some suggested tweaks will improve it even more. I think @Lon_Overacker did a good job on the contrast on the ice pattern .
As Lon wrote, the pattern is actually the most fascinating part that sort of begs for a more abstract composition. Tilting the camera with a wider lens will show more of the pattern, and one or two branches sticking out of the ice would still give a sense of the scale. Perhaps you already did this, or else something to give a try next time?
