Golden Autumn in Rocky Desert Landscape

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
1

IMG_0216 (1).jpg
IMG_0216 (1).jpg2543×1696 1.84 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

Beautiful autumn day in the Eastern Sierras

Technical Details

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
ISO 100 29.0 mm f/10 1/160 sec

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:
2

Amber, this reminds me of the area where I spent my childhood. Overall, it’s a lovely shot that captures that rugged beauty of the desert environment.

Strengths:

  1. Color Contrast: The contrast between the golden hues of the trees and shrubs in the foreground and the rugged, brown terrain is striking, adding warmth to the image.
  2. Composition: The low horizon line allows for a vast view of the sky, making the landscape feel expansive and emphasizing the arid terrain.
  3. Depth: The image has good depth, with foreground elements leading the viewer’s eye toward the distant mountains and hills in the background.

Suggestions for Improvement:

  1. Sky and Clouds: The sky looks a bit empty in the top section, which might be balanced better if cropped slightly from the top to reduce the negative space and bring focus back to the terrain.
  2. Foreground Details: Some of the shrubs and dry branches in the foreground appear chaotic and may detract from the central focus. A slightly elevated angle or a different perspective might help in simplifying the foreground.
  3. Lighting: The lighting appears somewhat flat, likely due to the time of day. Shooting during the golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) could add more shadows and warmth, enhancing the texture of the rocks and vegetation.
1 Like
3

I just returned from the Eastern Sierras. I love the desert plants there. I like the varied textures you’ve captured here. I’m always one for simplification, so maybe my suggestions won’t fit with your goal.If your photo is about the autumn foliage and colors, I would remove a lot of the extraneous areas. I would probably crop down from the top, at least to the cloud level. I would also crop in from the right to remove the green bush.

1 Like
4

PIeter - thank you so much for your kind and constructive comments. I will work to implement your suggestions. :slight_smile:

5

Chris- thank you for the thoughtful response. I like your vision on this, and will try your cropping suggestions. :slight_smile: