The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Schwabacher’s Landing, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA, 2008
I was looking back through my images to find something Panoramic for this week’s challenge. I came across this pano from a trip to the Tetons in 2008. I decided to rework it with newer software.
Specific Feedback
Any comments appreciated. Do you prefer the Color or the B&W version? Why?
I like both, but think I prefer the B&W.
Technical Details
Canon 1Ds II, 24mm Tilt/Shift, 6 sec @ f/16, ISO 160.
Processed in Capture One.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I do like the BW, but would have to say I prefer the color. Maybe I’m biased by the title? For me, the black and white loses any time of day reference, and the color keeps those deep blues you would expect. In fact, I could see making the image even a little darker in the mid-tones to emphasize that. The way the trees frame the peaks is nice too, as is the reflection.
My only suggestion would be to have waited a little, if possible, to see if you could get some stars to show in the sky.
This is a lovely scene! I prefer the color version myself.
The color adds a sense of layering and depth. My eyes are drawn from the lake to the trees where they linger for a bit, then on to the mountains which are a little more subdued, blending into the sky with their blue tones.
I like the texture the B&W version brings out in the trees, but I feel like the trees and mountains are fighting for my attention and my eyes never settle.
Either way, this is a very inviting scene with good framing and lovely still waters. I could sit here for a couple of hours and be content!
John, I should have been more clear, this is morning twilight, not evening…sorry for the confusion. I tweaked the levels to hopefully bring out those mid-tones. I am working on my laptop and while it is calibrated, I find it’s about a third stop darker than my studio display, hence the images look a bit over exposed on a normal image. Hopefully this is better…
Beautiful reflection-scape from the Tetons. Only been there once myself.
I’ll repeat and put my vote in for the color version. IMHO, a landscape like this should be about color. And while color doesn’t define the scene, it just seems so appropriate. B&W is best when one wants to showcase contrast, shapes, form, light and/or to removing color references to greatly simplify the scene and/or message. There’s really none of those things in play here; diffused light, low contrast and no shapes/forms to speak of.
I think you nailed the processing on the repost. The only minor nitpick I have would be to clone or otherwise deal with the light tree trun on the left edge. Very small, but eventually caught by the eye roaming around. I will say I was unsure about the grasses in the water. But how and how much you’ve included, with space around, tells me you thought it was important to keep in the frame. And for that, I think it works (said another way, you didn’t miss seeing those grasses and this was not an accidental composition… )
The only other suggestion, you could go full symmetry here and crop a bit off the blank sky up top? But I’m not sure that would improve this significantly.
@Lon_Overacker thanks for your kind comments and suggestions. I will see about removing that far left dead tree. I do like the grasses there in the lower left. I’ll also look at making this a full symmetry comp.
Hi David,
Both images are wonderful, but I too prefer the color version. You certainly picked the perfect spot for a view of the snow capped Tetons through those trees. The reflection in the still water is a nice touch and I like the fact that that clump of grasses in the water did not merge with the tree reflection. Your rework looks spot on to me. My only other suggestions would be to clone out or darker that brighter tree along the left edge along with a little crop of the sky since there are no clouds. I have looked at the B&W a couple of times and I was thinking it looks just a little flat. What do you think about a little contrast boost to give it a little pop? I could see myself spending some time there to enjoy the view.
@Ed_Lowe thanks for the comments and suggestions. I posted a revision to the color image above. Both you and @Lon_Overacker suggested a more symmetrical crop so added that. And I cloned out the dead tree at the left. Hope the clone job is good.
I’m leaning strongly toward the black and white, @David_Bostock. The colors are natural but not very vibrant and I think the tones lend themselves to black and white. Beautiful scene that I never tire of viewing.
