Here is a repost of an earlier image. I took the advice and cloned out the stone in the LLC .I agree it got in the way. I also muted the exposure a tad on the rocks along the left side. And I could not help myself from masking the background fog and adjusting the white balance there to cool the background fog just a bit. Thanks for the comments and input I think it improved the image.
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I made this image a year ago and at the time was confused why all the chaparral shrubs and undergrowth were so young and distinctly separated from each other. Usually the growth is so dense it is virtually impassible. My original thought was that someone had to be tending to this Cleveland National Forest area. And that made no sense. I loved the bloom and the young green growth throughout. Not a lot of rainfall here and this type of drizzle or drip fog is responsible for most of the annual water intake. With heavy fog and a thick marine layer inland and along the coast I drove up the highway back to this area yesterday, hoping for similar conditions…but it was clear skies, no drip, and no bloom. I talked with a young Forest Ranger who said the NF does brush removal along some sections of the roads for fire safety every three to four years. I was very glad I spent a lot of time and shooting the conditions last year. And very glad they left the Manzanita tree.
Specific Feedback
Let me know your thoughts on the composition. I like the various lines and staggered patterns created by the young shrubs. I also like the visual of the scrappy stone soil in which they will mature and thrive. I did use LR Color mixer to enhance the colors of the bloom, grass, and the Manzanita tree branches. Also used the Dehaze slider to provide a little definition to the Manzanita forest in the background. Comments here are welcome as well. Thanks for looking.
Technical Details
Nikon Z5, Nikkor Z Lens 105mm, 1/125 sec @f 10 ISO 500. Handheld
Manzanita are a favorite of mine, and I enjoy the way you’ve made this one the star of the show with a very nice supporting cast. The fog in the distance adds, helping to set the foreground manzanita apart and adding scale.
The rock in the lower left corner snags my eye a bit. You might play with darkening that a bit more.
Stephen, this is a very inviting view. I like how you set off the manzanita as the star, but balanced by some fine details with the green “carpet” in the lrc and the rocks in the llc. The fading into the fog looks good also.
Thanks for the input @Mark_Seaver@John_Williams I appreciate your comments. John I 'm glad the rocks snagged your eye,they can act as an anchor for the scene. The big one with the fracture may be a tad t too light. Mark, I liked your feedback on the balance in both lower corners.
Hi Stephen,
I like your subtle processing on this lovely scene; especially the greens as they are not overdone. The mist is a real plus and the placement of the manzanita is perfect IMO. My only suggestion would be to darken or remove that rock in the LLC as it does catch my eye with it’s brightness. Very nicely done.
This is lovely; a very peaceful and calming scene. Beautifully captured.
I think the comp is excellent. The placement of the manzanita is spot on and supported nicely by the surrounding vegetation and larger rocks in the LL. And of course the fog brings it all together, really simplifying the scene quite a bit.
My only nit/suggestion would be the cut off rock in the LLC. Looks like it was maybe burned down already, but I think you could either crop from the bottom, or for me, I don’t have a problem with CA-cloning it gone… The larger rock above could maybe be burned slightly, but that’s minor. And this is a matter of personal tasted, but I think you have room to bring out the yellows a bit more. Again, minor tweak.
Thanks for the comments and input @Ed_Lowe@Lon_Overacker it is much appreciated. I think I’ll probably clone out the single rock in the llc and tone down the larger to see what the difference does to the overall scene. Thanks again.
That manzanita is beautifully placed in the composition of this scene nicely balanced by the spread out grouping of plants and of course the rocks which add weight to the left side of the image. The colors are soft and natural looking and this is helped by the subtle fog. I agree with @Lon_Overacker about the rock in the LLC as it pulls the eye. I don’t think I would crop it out as I wouldn’t want to lose any of the bush in the LRC. I think I would clone it out if you are ok with that sort of thing. Terrific image, Stephen.
I have been looking at this photo for days now. I was intrigued by the quirky looking landscape that for some reason reminded me of the Lorax movie, perhaps its because of the single standing Manzanita. I love the overall mood of the photo and the fog definitely adds to the mood, and ties in the overall cool colors. Even though this area might have been managed for fire prevention reasons, it still looks like a natural landscape.
Thanks for the comments @Youssef_Ismail and for spending the time with the image. I’m not familiar with the movie Lorax. It did look to me as if the area was recently hand planted given the equidistant separation and lines of the shrubs. But it was a natural grow back.
Thanks for your comments and input @David_Haynes. I am not opposed with cloning out the LLC and in agreement it is better than cropping so the blooming shrub stays put. Hope to do a revised repost on this.
This is quite pleasing to the eye. The sharper FG blends into the BG fog. Aside from the LLC rock as mentioned by others, I feel the grass in the LR is a little too bright for the rest of the image. JMHO.
Thanks Michael, your input and comments is appreciated. I think the yellowish apron of the grass in the LRC might be giving the green more luster than it needs. Is this your redo? Or did I put an extra repost ?
The larger rock above could maybe be burned slightly, but that’s minor. And this is a matter of personal tasted, but I think you have room to bring out the yellows a bit more. Again, minor tweak.
