The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This is one of the most photographed cabins in the California Sierra Nevada mountains in Hope Valley near Lake Tahoe, maybe in the world. Usually people try to catch it when the aspens are in their full fall color glory. However, I happened to be there on a late summer day after there had been a few cool nights to start the leaves turning.
Specific Feedback
How should I crop this?
This is lightly processed and I have tried several different options including the vertical version of the photo, but just am not feeling the composition come together.
Technical Details
The jpg I uploaded is 1200px wide, but the raw photo is 5x larger, and I plan to upscale it to 12000 x 8000 or equivalent for the finished version.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Yep. I remember exploring that cabin for an intimate composition. I think the exploring was more fun than the shooting. That area is so captivating. I could never drive by without stopping. I was wondering if that wedge of sky should be cropped out. However doing that changes it drastically and the sense of space is lost. I guess the two small posts at the bottom should be removed but you already know that. I like how the cabin stands out in this image.
It used to be a forest service cabin that is on private property now, so definitely a lot harder to get a clear shot if anyone goes there these days.
I have been wondering the same about the sky, which is part of my dilemma. It does not feel quite finished and is a little bulls-eyed as is, but doing much with it other than the requisite distraction removal does change the whole feel.
Hi Amber - Yeah, this is a great cabin, and you captured it well. I saw a few things that might improve your shot, until you can enlarge and re-work it, as you intend. It’s quite a small file here, so not much to work with. The sky doesn’t bother me at all - I believe it gives perspective.
straightened it
improved noise control and sharpening
slightly smaller crop to get rid of that tree on the left and the post (?) on the bottom. I don’t think this alters the overall feel.
Hi Amber,
I imagine this scene would be quite the treat when those autumn colors really hit their peak. My only suggestion would be a crop from the top and both sides. The tree on the left bothers me somewhat and I think the best part of the scene is the FG grasses, the cabin and the trees starting to show their fall colors. I hope you do not mind, but here is a rework with what I was thinking. Just my opinion of course and you may already have something like this. Beautiful scene.
I spent way more time on this than I want to admit to, lol. Here is the upscaled copy with revised edits. I appreciate any ideas for further refinement.
I think this is a really lovely spot and I like the hints of Autumn very much and possibly, even a lttle more muted in colour than your original. I am not sure the sky in the corner of the image is doing much more than pulling your eyes away from the engaging subject and I could see a slightly more panoramic crop working very well. Rather than describe it, I just did it and took out a couple of bits that would still intrude which actually I am pretty sure would have disappeared in real life by moving to your right a couple more yards. Hope you don’t mind the way I cropped and adjusted it.
