The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I’ve walked past this tree more times than I can count over the last 20 years and have attempted often to find a workable composition. I never succeeded until this week. Processing it took more work than I expected as the tree blended in with the background and I had to fight to create some separation. I bought a Wacom tablet recently and am still getting the hang of using it but I am having fun with it. I’m not sure if different light (sunrise instead of sunset or maybe storm light) might lead to a more dynamic scene.
Specific Feedback
Does the light work for you or is there too much in shadow? How’s the processing, ie overcooked or pretty natural?
Technical Details
Sony A7IV
Sigma 14-24mm lens at 21mm
ISO 100
1/15s @ f/18 (easily could have gotten by w/ f/11 but just forgot to change it)
Lightroom/Photoshop/Color Efex Pro
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
Emotional Impact and Mood:
Composition:
Balance and Visual Weight:
Depth and Dimension:
Color:
Lighting:
Processing:
Technical:
I really like this a lot, Bret The composition while a little unorthodox, works imho. Viewing the thumbnail, I felt there was way too much darkness in the image, but the larger view opens up the shadows quite a bit. I think I would still dodge the limbs in the URC a tad more. It almost looks like an nd grad effect. Processing looks fine to me, not overcooked. I think I would also crop the shadow off the left. My eye went directly to that upon opening the image. Is this Arches?
Brett: Beautiful scene and I like how you framed the different elements with the FG tree. My only processing question would involve the URC tree and LRC ground elements which look a touch too dark to me. I played around with some radial gradients to bring up the shadows in those areas. I can see why you would want to wander by this place a lot and certainly envy you the opportunity. Back to you. >=))>
What a gorgeous tree and setting! There must be many slight variations for this scene but I’m not sure I would favor one over another. The processing looks very natural to me and I don’t find the shadows too dark. I think I would see that much detail if I were there. But like @Michael_Lowe, the shadow on the left also caught my attention. I wonder about lightening the dark part and darkening the sunlit part, at least to the extent it might be workable.
One other thing catches my eye – the brighter area on the fallen tree limb that exits the LR corner. I wonder about darkening that? Other than that, I think you nailed it!
Bret, this is a fascinating scene, where I can see how challenging the composition is. The Juniper branch reaching left looks to be the star of the show, but you can’t isolate just it and the distant group of rocks. I like this as it is. It’s complex but does a fine job of showing off the geology of the “Red Rocks” area. It’s easy for me to imagine how much time you put in to finding the right spot to take this from. I think the lighting looks fine, with the two more distant sets of rocks standing out well and a good mix of clouds in the sky.
@Michael_Lowe I see what you’re saying about the tree in URC. I’m not sure why it appears that way as I didn’t use a filter but I think it would be easy to address in LR. Thanks for pointing it out!
@Bill_Fach I agree with your assessment. I’m going to revisit the image and work on both of those areas.
@Diane_Miller Good catch on that limb/root exiting the frame in LRC. It does kind of draw the eye. I’ll burn it down a bit.
Bret,
I can see why you’ve contemplated this scene for quite a while. There is a lot to like about this even though it’s quite complex and the composition is not mainstream. I’m immediately drawn to the bright red/orange rock on the left side of the image. I can’t tell if I like it for it’s unique compositional value or if it’s an eye grabber and detracts from the scene. That tree with it’s awesome curving sweeping branches should be the star of the show framing both of the rocky outcroppings in the backdrop that are hit with warm and inviting light. I love the drama in the sky and the colors seem about right if maybe a touch on the warm side which is fine by me. After browsing this image for a few minutes I brought it into LR and cropped it to remove the bright rock on the left side and also so the branch of the tree is not exiting directly into the LRC. I don’t know if it’s any better or worse but i thought I’d share with you. Oh, and I added a bit of overall exposure, cooled the entire scene -6 and added just a smidge of contrast. SO glad you shared this one Bret. It really has me thinking.
Hi Bret,
This image is complex for sure, but is so well balanced. I can only imagine how many times you slightly moved the tripod to get all of the elements exactly where you wanted to place them in this scene. Some excellent tweaks have already been suggested and you have a couple of directions to take this lovely desert landscape. It might have taken 20 years, but I think you have it in the bag now. Your persistence paid off.
It’s interesting sometimes and think about what the photographer was thinking when he composed an image. In this case you wanted the overhanging branch to frame the distant hills. But you also wanted the sunlit rock to fit in the gap between the branches and not have them overlap the rock. And finally you wanted to feature the sinewy branches at the trunk of the tree. All this in one shot. I’ve always thought that photography is the art of compromise. As @Ed_Lowe said a few inches either way can make important differences. In this case I think the bright rock is just a bit too close to the left branch. But what to do? If you move to the right you push the branch too close to the cliff on the left. Perhaps the problem could have been solved by moving further back but zooming in. I don’t know if that would have worked. I run into such compositional problems all the time. Photography has challenges which painters don’t.
It’s been interesting to read all the advice and versions that have been offered for this image. I agree with most all of them.
David - I think I prefer your cooler version. I’m color blind and working with color images can be quite difficult for me to get just right. I also prefer your crop that prevents the lower branch from exiting directly out the corner, but I still feel like the left side needs the rocks to balance this out.
@Igor_Doncov Really enjoyed reading your thoughts on this one and photography in general. It is always fun to contemplate what was going through a photographer’s mind when an image was made.
Ultimately, now that I’ve found a composition I like I’m going to keep returning to this scene until I nail everything perfectly. This was shot maybe 20-25 minutes before sunset. I’d like to try it at sunrise, which would be backlit, with storm light, and in post-sunset glow on a day when the clouds light up with color. We’ll just call it a project, a work in progress!
You’re ability to come up with intriguing and unique compositions, especially with elements that help with the framing, is impressive. I love the way you used the split tree to frame the two separate rocks, really unique.
There’s nothing wrong with this one, but I look forward to other “moods” you find here!
