The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Recently I spent a couple of days in the redwoods. I found, as I always do, the forest to be challenging to photograph. It was especially true with redwoods, because I found it hard to show their incredible scale in a photograph.
I had my dog with me, which meant we were not welcome on trails. But, dogs are allowed on roads. At the Ranger Station, the ranger kindly pointed out that although Cal Barrel Road was only open a couple of weeks per year, the fact that cars were sometimes allowed on it meant that dogs could walk on it year-round. We took advantage of that, and had a nice hike there. The bonus was that the road wandered through some really nice trees.
Specific Feedback
I’ve flipped this 180 degrees vertically. Do you prefer it this way, or the original with the trees upside down?
I found the luminosity to be tricky. I wanted to bring the focus to the trees, so I kept the ground around the reflection rather dark. Too dark?
Technical Details
NIKON Z 7II
NIKKOR Z 24-200 f/4-6.3 VR at 29 mm
3.0 sec. at f/16.0 and ISO 64
Blend of two images for DOF
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:
Well you certainly get the prize for creativity. I agree with you that this orientation is certainly the more interesting one. In this case confusion is good. Probably because the reflection is confusing. The composition gives it a keyhole look. In fact at first glance I couldn’t figure out what the frame was. Were we look through an opening in a bush or the mouth of a cave? It’s great that you found a puddle that was in perfect shape for the trees that are reflected. Actually I wonder if you had to look upside down to fully visualize this? I wonder if I could have pictured this upside down on the back of the camera. I suppose this comes natural to the large format shooters.
I like both images but probably prefer your original flip. In the unflipped version, the viewer knows instantly what it is. Tree reflections in a puddle. In the flipped version, it takes a while to realize. It’s more creative. Almost gives the impression of looking out from a cave. Well done.
John, this is good fun, creating a nice “what the…” reaction. I like how you’ve focused interest in the reflection with the tallness of the trees and the mixed lighting nicely shown. The surroundings look about right to me, details are seen, but you need to look “hard”. I especially like the two bits of green leaves as a change-of-pace in viewing the surroundings.
This is great. The dark frame around the trees is perfect, not too much detail and really highlights the trees. This image has so much depth to it. I feel like I’m looking at the trees out of a port hole.
Hi John,
I am not seeing two versions of this scene, but the one that I am viewing is quite lovely. The large version is really fascinating and chocked full of so many wonderful details to savor. This gives me the illusion of looking upward from a hole in the ground. Over the years I have found the park rangers to be a very amicable and helpful group of people; in fact I can’t recall a single negative experience. Very imaginative image.
John: Oh this is so fine! I had to take it into PS and flip it which makes it obvious that this is a puddle and reflection but with your flip it makes it much more intriguing and delightful. Great vision, capture and presentation. >=))>
This is a wonderful image, John. Kudos for finding that little puddle and framing the trees in it so beautifully. I was down there last winter and, like you, I found it very difficult to find a composition that showed the trees the way I wanted them to show (I didn’t come up with a single frame of the trees that I really like). This works beautifully.
I think having them right side up is good, I’ve done it that way with this kind of thing before. Upside down can be fun, but it doesn’t connect with viewers as easily as with the perspective we expect. Nicely seen.
A very interesting reflection shot that makes it look like you were shooting from within the entrance of a cave. I really like the effect and the framing of the reflected trees.
My apologies for the confusion of the original post. I only posted the “flipped” version, and added that just to explain the change from the original camera angle. I did not post the original orientation.
When I took this I was was using my tripod, but in composing it I had been moving the camera around a lot and taking a couple of handheld “test” photos. Looking at the test images on the back of the camera, I liked how the images were a bit disorienting if I spun the camera. I appreciate the feedback, and am glad that the consensus is this orientation adds to the image.
I like this one! A classic image (reflection + flipping upside down) but this one has some special merit… Looks almost like looking in the mirror of Alice in Wonderland… I do not think the ground is too dark, to me it helps focusing in the magical mirror… Very well seen!
