Light and Shadow

Image Critiques Landscape Critiques
1

_DSC4397 copy.jpg
_DSC4397 copy.jpg2000×1333 1.59 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

The lupines were pretty underwhelming in the White Mountains of NH this year due to unusually warm weather and many fields either mowed down or closed off due to people acting like idiots and not respecting people’s property. Mike and I had made plans to meet up with Ed McGuirk and Karl Zuzarte for some photography and a great time. Ed knew of a few locations that still had some nice lupines and was kind enough to share with us.

We had parked our vehicles and were walking down a dirt road when this scene caught my eye. I just like the alternating bands of shadow and light. This image was one of several that I was pleased with from the trip.

Specific Feedback

I brought down the highlights a little on the right edge of the frame. Just wondering if I should go a little more. Waffling back and forth.

Technical Details

Nikon Z7, Nikon 24-200 @ 49 mm, f 16 @ 1/60 sec, ISO 400, Kase magnetic CPL, cable release & tripod.

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:
2 Likes
2

Hi Ed, Nice image. Local knowledge is king. I nearly missed them entirely this year, just a few small patches of stragglers… Instead of bringing down the highlights, perhaps adding a slight touch of vignette? Might give a sense of enclosure…

1 Like
3

Ed, the strips of light and dark work well and the lupines give the sense that there’s a lot more outside the frame. The highlights look well balanced across the frame. If you want a bit more attention on the lupines, you might try some mid-tone burning for a bit more contrast and color.

1 Like
4

Ed, we could not think to order a light path this nice. Nature has away of providing us with some of the best in surprises. A truly wonderful lupine scene… :+1: :+1:
I’ve not seen lupine here in So Cal in years… :hot_face:

1 Like
5

Well seen, photographed and processed, Ed. The highlight looks ok to me. It seems pretty even across the top of the frame. Did you use your lens hood? I shot some from that side of the road and tried too shield with my hand but lens flare was overwhelming.

1 Like
6

Many thanks everyone @guy, @Mark_Seaver, @Paul_Breitkreuz and @Michael_Lowe for your thoughtful C&C; always appreciated.
@guy: I never thought about a vignette. I will have to give that a try.
@Mark_Seaver: I will give that a try as well.
@Paul_Breitkreuz: Bummer about not seeing any lupines as they are so colorful.
@Michael_Lowe: No lens hood, just my hand. It was a little tricky as this was the only one without some flare.

1 Like
7

Ed, I see darks helping the light shine even more.

1 Like
8

Simple and beautiful Ed. I like @guy’s idea of a bit of vignette, and would also extend the darkening to those brighter tree patches at the top. If I screen crop them off, the lupine pop out better. I wouldn’t crop them, as you would lose the balance, but toning them down might be worth the experiment.

1 Like
9

Thanks so much @Ben_van_der_Sande and @John_Williams for your thoughts on this image. I will play around with everyone’s tweaks and see what I come up with.