# Gold in the Mountains

**URL:** <https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/gold-in-the-mountains/48352>\
**Category:** Image Critiques\
**Tags:** landscape\
**Created:** [October 11, 2025, 1:13pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/gold-in-the-mountains/48352 "2025-10-11T13:13:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mark\_Seaver](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_seaver/32/231_2.png) [@Mark\_Seaver](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Seaver)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2025, 1:13pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/gold-in-the-mountains/48352/1 "2025-10-11T13:13:24Z")

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![Green and Gold.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/8/d8f05955addca995471d29ab97e192df35a77468.jpeg)

> **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_
> 
> The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

### Description

While roaming the mountains around Paradise Valley, MT, I noticed the glowing trees as I drove through a deep canyon. The sun, high in the sky, was at the right angle to provide grazing light on these steep slopes.

### Specific Feedback

I’ve brightened the darkest areas to show some of the details. That reduces the drama slightly.

### Technical Details

R5, 100-500 @ 176, 1/160 s, f/16, iso 800, tripod and polarizer doing very little.

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### Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

Vision and Purpose:  
Conceptual:  
Emotional Impact and Mood:  
Composition:  
Balance and Visual Weight:  
Depth and Dimension:  
Color:  
Lighting:  
Processing:  
Technical:

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**Author:** ![John\_Williams](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/john_williams/32/28797_2.png) [@John\_Williams](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/John_Williams)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 2:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/gold-in-the-mountains/48352/2 "2025-10-12T14:22:45Z")

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The yellows look like the slope is flame-dotted, and I like the triangle they form reaching upward to the brightest sky.

I think it was a good move to open the shadows some. Another thought would be to darken the sky some:

 ![Green and Gold copy](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/0/5/050759ccd6af742fdca01e8efe127e2608ea39d8.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Paul\_Breitkreuz](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/paul_breitkreuz/32/400_2.png) [@Paul\_Breitkreuz](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Paul_Breitkreuz)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/gold-in-the-mountains/48352/3 "2025-10-12T16:00:37Z")

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Mark, really like the steep sloped view here. I could go with @John_Williams thoughts for changes too. The thumbnail reminded me of telephone poles they were spaced and heights about the same overall… 😎