The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I have been looking at this tree for some while, trying to envisage how I could photograph it. This is one of the last winter sunrises before the wind, summer colours and a very short golden hour take over. This photo was a problem due to banding middle lhs so I reworked the photo from scratch, ensuring all work was lossless till the very end. I hope I have permanently solved the problem.
There is much iron in the sand here, causing the red appearance of the land. Is this a problem?
Specific Feedback
The chocolate line from lower lhs corner toward the tree. The original photo has this much brighter and to me, a distraction. Is this leading line now too dark? The bright water area middle, surrounded by rock, is this too bright. I left it as is as it was slightly darker than the sea.
Technical Details
Canon 90D, 17mm, 1/12 sec at F4, ISO 125. (should have been iso 100, but I must have put in an extra click) Tripod
Oh! How very bayside Rob! I love the mangroves that live in our sheltered bays around Brisbane. You have picked an absolute cracker. The tangle of roots and the seaward bend is very appealing. I like how you’ve rendered the sunrise.
The chocolate line: Doesn’t bother me a bit.
Bright water in the middle: Doesn’t bother me a bit, but there could be another version with it darkened just to compare.
The red appearance of the sand also doesn’t bother me. That’s what it is.
I can see no trace of banding in the sky.
The image posted is lovely. I do wonder if there is another version with the LHS cropped off. I find my eye travellingto the bright side, from the tree to the little eddy of rocks on the LHS.
Lovely colour gradient and tree silhouette in this colourful picture. I would have loved a little more separation in terms of tonal range between the roots of the tree and the foreground sand bank.
Hi Rob,
The early morning light is quite lovely here and the solitary tree makes for a great FG subject. At first I was going to suggest a crop from the left side, but changed my mind when I realized that would take away that beautiful gradient of color in the sky. None of the things you mentioned bother me at all. My only suggestion would be the same as @Ian_Cameron about a little more seperation between the tree roots and the shoreline. Very nicely done.
I have posted a second image of how I understand your comments. I have reduced the burning in of the lhs bottom leading line, lightened the tree roots and dimmed the more distant pools. I have also tried a new crop.
I took your image into ACR and discovered so much beautiful light in that mangrove tree. Not only in the roots but also the main trunks. There is a gorgeous bunch of greenery at the base that I had not noticed before.
I like the crop, but now wonder about that little eddy on the LHS. I liked it in your original version and feel now it’s a little too close to the border. If it’s within your ethics, would you consider moving it closer to the tree.
The eddy - that is why I went to the original crop. I liked the non boring curved and indented foreshore. I did also consider an 8*10 crop. The idea of shifting the pool does not sit well with me - I prefer to create photos (including editing) of how my mind sees things. I did consider moving clockwise wrt the tree, however there are rather large light sources at the Sealink vehicle ferry terminal to the right that really mess with things. Oh compromises, compromises!!
The rework looks really good, Rob. I love the sky and the color of the water along with the detail you were able to squeeze out of the foreground. The tree is just wonderful!
-P
I thought I would go back this morning. Only a couple of days later, same time, same place. The idea was to use my LED panel on Orange and try and rim light the tree, bringing out the roots and root structure a bit more. I knew there would be higher tide, some cloud and little wind. Thus I lost most of the directional light and added the LED panel. Boy! Mum Nature can surely change things. Just shows that repeat visits bring rather different results!
