Green fire

Image Critiques Abstract Nature Critiques
1

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#1

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#2

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Some of the other candidates for the series

Critique Style Requested: Initial Reaction

Please share your immediate response to the image before reading the photographer’s intent (obscured text below) or other comments. The photographer seeks a genuinely unbiased first impression.

Questions to guide your feedback

These (first) two are destined to be part of a series (that might show up in the project critiques section later), but them being so similar, I doubt that there’s room for both of them (feel free to disagree, if you can back it up with some reasoning :wink:).

At this point, I’ve looked at them too much to be able to decide between them, so my main question for you is which one is the better one (and why,) both on its own and in company with the thumbnails of the other likely candidates in the third image.

At this point those thumbnails are only there for reference and as you might notice, they differ from the others in processing/colours, but in the end, they will either all differ more in this respect, or more likely, be joined under one style.

Other Information

Please leave your feedback before viewing the blurred information below, once you have replied, click to reveal the text and see if your assessment aligns with the photographer. Remember, this if for their benefit to learn what your unbiased reaction is.

Image Description

The name “Green Fire” is a candidate for the whole series, but I’m hoping to find a better one, as I don’t feel that it fits more than 2-3 of them very well.

Technical Details

As you might see, they were all (single exposure) ICM photos. The two main ones were shot at a shuttterspeed of 1.3s and the other ones at between 1.3-6s. Some were shot with a 3-stop ND filter but most were shot with various stops of in camera ND simulation (which automatically combines several exposures for a longer total shutter speed). Processing was done in Lightroom Classic.

Specific Feedback

Beyond your first impression on which of the two to pick, any of the below categories of feedback would be very welcome.

Aesthetic: Feedback on the overall visual appeal of the image, including its color, lighting, cropping, and composition.
Conceptual: Feedback on the message and story conveyed by the image.
Emotional: Feedback on the emotional impact and artistic value of the image.

Technical feedback isn’t important to me at this point, but if you have something to say (or ask) on that subject, I’m all ears. :slightly_smiling_face:

2

Hi @StéphaneJean
By first quick look the #2 felt more pleasant with more blurriness but after looking them bit longer I think I like #1 more. Maybe because there’s bit more darker areas and sharper lines it’s more interesting to my brains.

Beautiful pictures with color palette that I really like!

If you are looking fire like look, for me the #2 is closer to that as it blurs the shape more.

3

Hi Stéphane. I prefer the second one. It’s a bit more abstract and seems to fit with the style of the thumbnails more as they’re all quite close in. Both of these are distinctly different in hue from the ones in the thumbnail which seem to be all pretty much the same, so I’m not sure how that will work. In general, with the “green fire” title, I’m a bit surprised you didn’t flip these vertically so the tips of the leaves point up thus simulating flames.

4

Wonderful images!! Just between the two, I prefer #1 for the slightly greater tonal variation and detail in the lower right quadrant. But both are wonderful and I think #2 might be more compatible with the group you showed. This is a project I look forward to following!

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5

I’m drawn more to #2. To my eye there is a group of three central forms that feel more prominent in #2 as compared to #1. For me that is more pleasing. Fascinating images!

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6

Looks like a great project Stéphane! I prefer #2. It fits better with the collection, has less defined shapes to the leaves, and more even tonality. The dark blacks in #1 seem a bit incongruent with the collection. Looking forward to seeing more of this project.

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7

I find your images very captivating. I like the blurriness, like ICM, and how with the lines of the plant, seems to make them moving. A very appropriate title. You inspire me to play indoors (during this cold gray winter), and try some new things. Thank you for that as well.

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8

Thank you, @KasperiS. The fire look isn’t important as the name is far from set in stone. It is more of a working title than a final one. I am however currently leaning toward #2 anyway, for its slightly calmer composition.

9

Thank you, @Dennis_Plank. I definitely see your point and am leaning towards that conclusion. Regarding the differing hues and the orientation, they were addressed in the hidden text (I suspect that I should’ve picked a different critique type). Beyond that, I have tried most of them in different orientations and these two didn’t work for me in the fire orientation.

11

Thank you very much, @Diane_Miller, @DeanRoyer, @Alfredo_Mora and @Judi_Hastings!
I’m very glad to be able to inspire you to try this, Judy (although these were shot outside)!

12

Hi Stephane, while both images are attractive on their own, I prefer #1. Switching between the two, it was a bit jarring when #2 came up. I think I prefer the first because it has more blacks, which serve to stabilize the ICM look a bit, and I believe would be a good addition to your thumbnails. Thanks for sharing such an interesting project.

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13

Thank you very much for your thoughts on this, Jim and apologies for the late reply. I’m not sure how I missed it (makes me really miss the NPN app and its notifications on my iPhone)…