The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Earlier this week a day before the rains came to So Cal the sky was a high gray overcast, diffused light, stayed out for a few hours in the Cleveland National Forest shooting landscapes in old ranchero hideaways. The seasonal colors, shapes and textures of the elfin forest captured me. Autumn can sometimes be equally as captivating as a Spring bloom in the chaparral hills. The dead Manzanita branch structure has always been a favorite. Hope you like this one. I did use some AI removal Lightroom for a few foreground plants along the RC to better manage and clean the image.
Specific Feedback
I used more color hue and saturation on the foreground reds, and now that I see it I’m thinking it may detract from the structure of the tree? I’ve posted both. Maybe too minor to discern? Any thoughts on this?
Technical Details
Nikon Z5, Nikkor Z MC 105 mm, f8 at 1/500sec, 800 ISO
Critique Template
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Drop dead gorgeous Stephen my preference is very much the lower image with the marginal crop at the bottom to reduce the impact of the red, in addition to the muting of that hue, which now in my opinion looks altogether more harmonious with the delicate hues of the other component colours of foliage. The balance is just that bit better.
A really lovely image. I don’t have a strong preference for either version.
My only nit is the ULC. Its visually out of sync with the rest of the image, since there’s a lot of bare earth. You might try darkening it down, or perhaps cloning in some of the red grasses that fill the LRC.
@Ian_Cameron, I appreciate what your comments Ian,thanks. @WillR, Thanks for your input Will, the ULC is a bit of bother, I like both of your suggestions.
With the level of sharp detail you have in this photo, it will make a stunning large print. Both version are wonderful and the difference is slight, I might go with the more saturated version as it creates more contrast helping the manzanita to stand out better.
@Youssef_Ismail, Thanks for your comments and input, Youssef, I am leaning towards the darker one these days, too. The 105 Nikkor lens is my best for tight details and using Topaz DeNosie for noise and sharpening is a great combination.
This is a lovely image, @Stephen_Stanton. The colors, the textures, the contrast between white branches and the warmer colors around them is all exquisite. My only nit is the same as @WillR mentioned; the ULC draws my eye away from the scene. Perhaps burning it down a bit might help?
Stephen: As an unrepentant color junkie I do like the more saturated version a touch more. I love the overall color palette and all the details in this wonderfully and aptly titled image. Just for fun I put a linear gradient on that ULC for your consideration. Really nice find, well seen, captured and presented. >=))>
Stephen, this is an excellent view. The Manzanita stands out nicely, while the surroundings add good color contrast. The extra saturation is quite subtle and I think helps as it increases the contrast between the stark Manzanita branches and the surroundings. Darkening in the upper left corner also help keep the viewing where it matters most.
@Mark_Seaver@Bill_Fach@Bret_Edge , Thank you all for your comments and input. The slightly deeper saturation is the one I will be going with and I am addressing the out of sync ULC with a clone stamp to limit the eyes from wandering, although I like the darkening approach you have shown @Bill_Fach.
Stephen: Looks like you figured out the editing and I really like your rework of the ULC. Makes an already good image even better and I like what you did more than the simple darkening that I suggested. >=))>
Hi Stephen,
I have to say that I am loving the subdued color palette in this scene and your last repost on the ULC is looking really good. I am particularly enjoying the stark character of the dead manzanita; it just has so much presence and is the star of the show IMO. I am not trying to muddy the waters for you, but I have another suggestion for you. I am seeing a tighter crop as well for this lovely image. I hope you do not mind, but here is a rework with what I was thinking. Just my opinion of course as this may not be your vision for this image. Very nicely done.
@Ed_Lowe , Thanks for your comments , Ed, and for taking the time to re-crop. But for me the Manzanita tree becomes a bit to unbalanced and I do like showing the other shrub shapes and colors that make up the landscape.
Another one I didn’t have time to look at earlier, and I can only say how much I like it – a lovely old ghost with wonderful surroundings! Congratulations on the EP!
