Last patches of snow and ice

Image Critiques Landscape Critiques
1

Hi there, This image is the result of 5 photos stacked in PS. The scene is pretty chaotic and I’m probably a few weeks too late, the snow is almost gone, but I tried to make the best out of it for practice, trying to get there at the right time, with the right light, trying different composition, different shutter speed and practicing post processing of course. I find it difficult to work with Ice and snow, highlights are a pain to manage :wink:

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49686745583_c968ccbb63_6k2048×3072 1.89 MB

What technical feedback would you like if any?

any

What artistic feedback would you like if any?

any

Pertinent technical details or techniques:

(If this is a composite, etc. please be honest with your techniques to help others learn)
This image is the result of 5 photos taken with a CPL filter then stacked in PS.

Canon EOS R, EF17-40mm f/4L USM

ƒ/9.0
20.0 mm
1/5
ISO 100

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2

Hi Nicolas, good job stacking these either for focus or for exposure, I think they are all blended quite well. I think the tonality is handled really well here.

My comment is more related to the composition. I find the background especially the upper right corner quadrant to be a little disjointed from the scene. The dappled light that falls on the rock pulls the eyes there instead of going to the waterfall in the BG.

3

Thanks Adhika, I see what you mean, I got another version without the light, it’s a longer exposure, colder feel to it… Thanks again for the input !

IMG_3692-Modifier-5
IMG_3692-Modifier-51071×1667 1.86 MB

1 Like
4

I feel that this is more composed, Nicolas. Some other things that I would suggest:

  • Make the aspen log less yellow
  • Clone out the two white spots on the lower right corner
  • Maybe burn the tree trunk on the top left corner area? I am not sure, feels like it somehow makes the edge a little bit less clean.
  • This last one is not for everyone, but if it’s not against your ethics, playing with warps can give the waterfall in the BG more prominence.

Here is a quick and dirty edit to illustrate my suggestions:

IMG_3692-Modifier-5-adhika
IMG_3692-Modifier-5-adhika1031×1604 1.69 MB

1 Like
5

This is a great looking winter scene, Nicolas. IMO @Adhika_Lie’s repost with the cooler tones is the way to go. I think the cooler tones make it feel a bit more like winter rather than the warm ones. The stream and fallen aspen do a nice job of directing me into the image toward the BG waterfall. I hope you don’t mind, but I did a rather radical crop which eliminates the waterfall as

IMG_3692-Modifier-5-adhika
IMG_3692-Modifier-5-adhika1004×1156 575 KB
I think it shows off the details and textures in the ice along the stream. Not necessarily better, just a different composition.

2 Likes
6

Thanks Ed, Nice, I really like the crop !

7

I really prefer this version without the dramatic light. I feel like the white balance is a little more matched to the scene without conflicting color temperatures competing for attention.

1 Like
8

@Ed_Lowe beat me to it. The best part of the image is that wonderful ice with the water flow mixed in, and removing the bland background is a much stronger image IMHO. Great catch of that foreground!

1 Like