The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This image was captured during my sixth outing to Guadalupe River State Park here in Texas. An annual event, I try to find something different each time. This year involved some MEs and small landscapes. At this point in the river a tree hangs on, despite floods that have attempted to destroy it.
This particular image is a focus stack, an attempt to capture the tree, rocks, water, movement, and light in a way that makes sense.
Specific Feedback
I’m interested in how the composition reads, whether the scene is balanced, and if the image conveys a mood.
Technical Details
As stated, a focus stack. 5 images of 1/30s at f/22, ISO 100. The water movement is intentional. I tried to remove all of the obvious repeated bits of debris that moved from shot to shot.
Hi Gary. The peaceful mood of the image comes across to me quite well. I think the composition could stand to lose a good share of the bottom as it contrasts with the main image and is so bright that it keeps my eye from enjoying what I feel is the real image. Dodging some of the background boulders just a tiny bit would also help pull the viewer’s eye through the image, I think. I’m thinking of something like this (a quick and crude approximation done in PS):
Very fair; thank you! I was kinda wanting those rocks in the lower left, but they don’t really have much purpose, and the reflection on the water (lower right) is definitely attention-getting, but not in a good way. I can certainly bring out the background boulders more, as well. I keep messing with the background, wondering, “is it too dark? Is it too bright?”
Gary, I like how that tough tree is glowing in a spotlight. I’ve done many stacks of moving water. The software likes to add extra details that aren’t there in each shot. Sometimes that’s fine, other times, I’ll go in and fix the water before I finalize the stack. The water here all looks good, you’ve “fixed that well”. I can see cropping the water from the bottom to that first rock on the left. I think that helps focus interest on the small tree. It’s pretty amazing, it’s clearly small but that a huge stump that it’s growing from, so it clearly has been here a long time. I do think thattaking the bright edge off the water along the right edge is a good idea.
That’s a wonderful little tree; nicely seen and captured Gary.
I, too, would vote for playing with cropping more. In addition to the ideas above, I’d crop/remove that bright area on the top edge right above the tree.
You’ve got a really solid base to work with here, Gary. The glowing tree is awesome. I agree with @Dennis_Plank and @John_Williams crop suggestions. May I ask, why the focus stack? You didn’t mention focal length.
Hi Gary,
The tree growing out of the stump is certainly the star of the show and that beautiful light helps make it so. The darker BG works well and I like those ripples in the water. My only suggestions would be to tone down the water on the right side of the rock as well as cropping or cloning; if you are so inclined; that little area of sky along the top edge right above the tree. Beautiful scene.
@John_Williams Yes to the crop. The bright spot was annoying, and had to go.
@Michael_Lowe I misspoke (mistyped?). The intent was an ME, so I could combine the water and get more movement in it. That produces a different result than a long exposure. But all the stuff floating by undermined my effort.
This was shot at f/22, 1/30s, ISO 100. I took six shots.
@Ed_Lowe Yeah, the shiny water doesn’t work so well. So I’ve cropped a lot of it out, and burned the rest. Hoping the result is convincing. If not, I can try again next time with different light.
