Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
In the earlier days of NPN there was an image category called Hand of Man for showing landscapes with the influence of man present…I thought this an appropriate title. This is an image from last months visit to Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend WA. A dreary day which is typical for the season here. I tried to use the stumps and the big rock on the far bank to lead the eye to Rattlesnake Ridge in the bg. A lot of interesting compositions are available here when the water is low like this. The watershed is filling the lake now and once that happens it’s more of a fishing destination than a photo trip. The weather threatened rain all morning…the sky was slate gray and featureless so in the spirit of full disclosure it was replaced with these storm clouds.
Specific Feedback
Any thoughts on the image in general?
Composition?
Choice of aperture possibly allowing some diffraction to gain dof?
How does the composite look?
Technical Details
Nikon Z7 II
Zeiss 21mm/f2.8 w/cp
f/20 @ 1/4 sec
ISO 80
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
- Vision and Purpose:
- Conceptual:
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- Composition:
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Bruce, I’d say this a bit different. Interesting to see the stumps throughout the given area here. Assuming the water level varies at times and they become hidden to boating possibly?..regardless, the front stump has taken on a bit of humor identity here. I really like that old gnarly looking Stephen King idea there.
I really like several things here. The way the main stump mimics the butte in the background, and the drama in the clouds lead the list.
I’d say that’s a bang up job of sky replacement, at least at this resolution. Did you do that by hand or use software? Regardless, I really appreciate the disclosure.
I really like images that are in focus throughout, in genera, so I think the aperture was a good trade off.
Bruce,
Love this image, composite and all. Fantastic job on the cloud replacement - btw, did that include the mist in front of the mountain peak? Or was that there naturally and only the clouds replaced. I think the composition is very strong and I like how the peak is balanced to the main stump. I’d say a pretty good Rule of Thirds application (intentional or not!)
Not only is this a great landscape and excellent composition, I think the “hand of man” story is even better. Lakes, new and old, all have buried secrets that eventually get uncovered. I am drawn to and have a personal reaction/observation about this stump. Clearly (well, pretty sure) this area was logged probably a good century or more ago. I know very little about logging, but I am reminded of the very same “indentations” in the log (looks like eyes.) I wouldn’t normally do this on someone elses post, but you’ll see the significant reference. The below is a cell phone image from my wife during our vacation to Vancouver Island, BC. This was on a short hike to one of the many beaches. I believe these notches were cut in to large trees for the purposes of inserting planks for loggers to stand on while in the processing of cutting down a tree. Maybe I’m wrong, but sounds like a reasonable story. Same with this tree in BC:
Anyway, love the mood/atmosphere and most certainly the story being told here. Excellent job all the way around.
Oh, only very small nit. I wish there was just a bit of separation on the left edge for that one stump. very minor.
Thanks for sharing - and disclosing the composite!
How cool. The stump looks animated. I like that it is more than what it appears to be.
Paul—no boating here really. No internal combustion engines allowed but we do see canoes and inflatable pontoon boats.
John—Thanks. I used the Sky Replacement Tool in PS. With a little feathering and shifting the edges they turn out nearly perfect most of the time. I found a short video explaining how to very simply add a reflection and it does a great job even on a more complex one like this one. PS offers a few skies but it’s easy to add your own.
Lon—Thanks for the good words. Yes the mist on the ridge is natural. Everything above the horizon was replaced as well as the reflection.
I keep waiting for all those secrets buried in Lake Tahoe to come to be revealed 
Yes those slots were for just as you said. They are fairly common throughout the NW.
You’re right about that stump at the left edge. if I ever print this (probably not) I’ll remove that. Enjoyed your comment.
Igor—Thanks man.
1 Like
I really love the tree stump. I always look for expressing tree stumps. I can see a little creature there - like an octopus holding strong and connecting beautifully between the land and the water. The mountain in the back feels to me like it doesn’t get enough space. As it is cut it seems unclear why it is there. If you could place it as direct background to the stump it would have been perfect but I guess that would require getting deep into the water. I do love the smaller stump on the right back of the main one. It looks like the little kid of the big one. So the diagnol from the big stump to the smaller one and then to the rock on the land is really beautiful and I feel the water is perfect - the right amount of stillness.
