Haunted Forest

Image Critiques Abstract Nature Critiques
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-20240530-20240530_154409-Cape Disappointment-Edit.jpg
-20240530-20240530_154409-Cape Disappointment-Edit.jpg2048×1539 1.69 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Water patterns in the beach sand often remind me of trees (very similar math) and I was intrigued by this area that had patterns going at 90 degrees to one another. I tried several interpretations and this was where I ended up.

Specific Feedback

To me, this has the look of an old wood-cut illustration from a children’s book of what a haunted woods would look like with lots of twisted trees and branches. Does it evoke that feel in you? Any suggestions for how I could change it to accent that feel?

Technical Details

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra rear telephoto camera, 7.9mm, f/2.4, 1/800, iso 50. Processed in LR, PS and Silver Efex. Quite a bit of manipulation to accent the structure. I also cloned a bit of another frame into this because the “forest” was pretty empty in the lower right.

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2 Likes
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Dennis, fascinating patterns! I don’t get the impression of a haunted forest. I see large dunes in the foreground with towering cliff walls in the background. This looks like a scene from the badlands in Utah. I’d recommend reducing the vignette as I find it distracting.

3

I just now found this. I assumed you were channeling @Bonnie_Lampley! What a wonderful find!! I definitely get the haunted forest vibe. I love the processing and think you could go with a very dark blue hour mood as a twofer. I like the vignette but think it might be better if it was more subtle. That’s tricky because there are a lot of lines to lead out of the frame here. In cases like that I’ll often do a vignette that is a combination of brighter, lower contrast and softer focus.

1 Like
4

Thanks for tagging me, @Diane_Miller - I’d missed this one.

This is very cool, Dennis! Nicely seen, with the “foreground” and “trees”. It does bring to mind trees, but I don’t get a haunted forest vibe. I think this probably is because of the warm color. I’m with Diane that a cool-toned version might give a more haunted forest, fairy-tale look.

5

Very interesting edit Dennis. I like it! Really shows the dendritic patterns that are exhibited in trees, plants and running water with sand and rivers. I agree with reducing the vignette in this instance. Doesn’t add focus to the abstract quality of the image here. If you can’t reduce the vignette for some reason you could crop and see how that looks.

6

Thanks for all your input on this one @Alfredo_Mora @Diane_Miller @Bonnie_Lampley @James_Bartek. I’ll take another look at this one. The bluer palette is an intriguing idea since at one stage the was in B&W, that should be easy to do. I can play with the vignette as well.