The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Well, I’ve never been to a jungle, so I had to create one in the backyard. My husband put a sago palm in a pot, which has been a great source of inspiration lately. Because it’s in a pot, I can move it all around for various angles (instead of crawling around on the ground, which isn’t as easy as it used to be).
Specific Feedback
I’m pretty happy with this, but I’m wondering about the LRC. It sort of bothers me and I fiddled with it a lot, but not sure it works.
Technical Details
This is a composite of two images made with a Lensbaby Sweet 50, at different f/stops. I didn’t write them down (the lens is totally manual and it doesn’t communicate with my Sony), but one was probably f/11 and the other f/2.8 or f/4. I also used a macro 4x diopter filter on the lens.
The images were processed in ACR for general exposure and contrast, composited in PS. I initially thought b&w would work best, but my husband convinced me the color version was more interesting (I do sometimes listen to him ).
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
The color definitely evokes Jungle more than a B&W would, I think.I’m not having any real problem with the LRC, though I think you could add some green, if you wished. I’ve been rereading Bates on the Amazon and he talks about how the lower river was dominated by palms, so this resonates right now. I’ve been in Costa Rican rainforests which aren’t palm dominated and the feel of this still fits. The streaking evokes feelings of wind and rain as well. A very evocative abstract.
Dear Bonnie Lampley, It is a fascinating image. I am not particularly bothered by the LRC. I do wonder, however, if it would be possible to revise the crop so that the interplay between the strong diagonal lines, the color luminosities and the highlights were more unified? Thanks for sharing the image.
Bonnie, this is very jungle like! Love the greens that add to that feeling. The LRC does not bother me at all. I’m enjoying exploring the image for the shapes of the fronds.
Leo’s cropping suggestion could be another version but I really like it as posted.
I have quite a collection of different cycads…and very rarely photograph them. Your image has spiked a bit of creativity!
I agree with your husband! I think it eorks well in green, with more jungle impactthan it would have in bnw. If I was to edit it I would mayby make it a little less contrasty. No problem with the LRC. But my brain sees pine needles in the center …
This is beautifully fascinating. Which goes to show, and lessons learned, how simple things in our own backyards, can produce compelling imagery. You’re a master at this.
I’m sure it might bother you most as the creator, but honestly not something that jumped out at me that say, needed to be “fixed.” But after being pointed out, my only suggestion would be a simple crop. Shaving off a little off the bottom and right, you could eliminate the brighter area in the LRC. Coming off the right also removes the bright green “rod” near the URC. Very minor, but maybe that addresses what you’re not happy about?
Love the colors and the vitality you’re created; mystery as well.
Bonnie - definitely jungle-ish! I love this - the colours, play of light, ethereal shapes - all come together perfectly to create another very appealing image.
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