The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
To me successful aspects are the lighting of the trees on the right, and the sky and mountain. I removed a bunch of the root mass in the lower edge, but removing more or cropping it seemed to generate other problems. So I figure it adds some visual weight in an otherwise uninteresting space.
Creative direction
I like the feeling of 19th century landscape painting that this scene has.
Overall, not exactly Albert Bierstadt, but to me it conveys a quiet drama when I see it.
Specific Feedback
I wonder if the sky could be more dramatic without going too far into Hudson River School territory.
Do you feel a quiet Wow when seeing this? If not, any suggestions for generating a quiet Wow would be appreciated.
Technical Details
Tripod, AP, f/13 Canon 5DIII EF 11-24 f/4 @22mm ISO 640, 1/1000 sec
(why 1/1000? I must have been doing some handheld in the fog earlier)
Description
In a workshop with Erwin Buske last month, we stood in the dense fog above the South Fork Snoqualmie river. I was hoping something interesting would happen; he was hoping this would happen. The fog parted and the mountain peak emerged for a few minutes. I was floored, and managed a few exposures. The large dynamic range of the scene presented some processing challenges, but this is where I am now.
Critique Template
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I love those moments when you wait in anticipation, not knowing if you are going to be skunked or if something magical will happen. When the clouds part, it can be quite a rush.
I completely agree with your assessment of the magic of the lighting of the sky and mountain, and the far shore fits right in with that mood; that section of the image is exquisite. I don’t think you need more drama in the sky; I think a strength is the majesty being hinted at rather than boldly presented.
What I struggle with for the wow factor is that the near elements, the right and bottom of the image, are very different then the rest of the image. I too like the light on the trees on the right, but they just seem to be disconnected from that amazing scene behind. I wonder what the image would have looked like if you had been able to move in front of the near vegetation. (Too often I have wished I wasn’t limited by physical restraints like vegetation and sudden drop-offs, but physics doesn’t really care what I think. This is the type of image that makes me want to get a drone.)
Pondering the difference in the foreground and background got me wondering, so I played with what Photoshop would come up with for Generative Fill. This is the result:
To clarify, I’m not suggesting using generative fill. I much prefer the reality of your version. It’s just an interesting comparison to what might have been if you could have moved in front of the foreground.
This definitely has that 19th century landscape painting vibe to it and that “quiet drama” you talk about it so great job with that. I don’t think I would try to increase the drama in the sky in any way because if you did so I think it would start to look fake and un-natural.
The only thing that bothers me here is that clump along the bottom edge of the image to the left of center. It doesn’t bother in itself because it’s relatively dark and devoid of much detail but because it’s blocking the view of the river which for me is a key part of the whole scene.
The nature is the most creative landscape maker and you are its excellent interpreter. I really love this image that makes me feel an emotion. The faint light of the sun that try to pass through the fog lets my imagination fly. The nice trees in the right anchor the image and show the reality while the rest of the image can only be imagined. Great job the re-post. Beautiful Dick.
Thank you, Giuseppe. Your expression “nature is the most creative landscaper and (the photographer strives to be) its excellent interpreter” is a wonderful statement of the goal of a nature photographer. I need @David_Kingham see your thought.
Hi Dick,
The lighting is sublime and reminiscent of the 19th century landscape painters. For my tastes the sky is just fine so I would not take it any further. Your rework with the root ball removal addressed the only suggestion I was going to make. BTW, I am loving the light in those trees. Did you happen to capture any images of just the trees? They would also make for a wonderful subject.
