The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Milford sound, outbound. The sun was rising so only the mountain tops were illuminated, causing a fearful contrast between the mountain tops and the fjord.
Levels, micro contrast, white balance correction for the mountain tops different to the valley. Levelled. Took a fair bit of effort as the different background distances had to be dealt with individually.
This is a Unesco world heritage area.
Specific Feedback
Have I achieved a believable contrast gradient between the sky / mountain tops and the shaded mountains/water. I am also interested in anything else you see that should be adjusted.
Technical Details
Canon EOX 90D, 25mm eq, F4, ISO 400, 1/1600 sec
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
A very nice capture of a wonderful area. I think you achieved a good balance between sunlit and shaded areas. The shaded areas haven’t been pushed to neutral, and have a believable coolness left. I wonder if the sunlit areas could be even a bit warmer, or more saturated, but any haze in the air could give just this result. The empty sky is less than ideal but you had no choice. For me, the top of the peak on the left is uncomfortably close to the top of the frame. More sky is one answer, but it could also work to crop a little more to remove the top of the peak. It is so close to the corner that it isn’t contributing a lot and the shadow detail there is a bit lost in the bigger picture.
I could also see a crop from the left to remove the lighted area and then a bit more from the top to remove more of the sky. I think I like that option best.
hi Rob,
This had to be magnificent to witness first hand; I can see why this would be designated a Unesco world heritage site. This scene has a nice balance of warm and cool tones and the shadow areas look just about right for my tastes. I like the placement of the solitary clouds as it helps draw the viewer into the image. As far as suggestions my thoughts pretty much echo those of @Diane_Miller. I hope you do not mind, but I did a rework incorporating those ideas. I did a small crop from the top and left sides as well as adding a little contrast and five points of saturation for the warm light on the peaks. Just my opinion of course as that may not be your vision for this image. Beautiful scene for sure!
@Diane_Miller@Ed_Lowe . Thanks for your comments. The suggested crop is very similar to my alternate crop, part of the attraction being to lose some uninteresting sky. I must also be confident in cropping items to less than 100% of an object. Regarding the sunlit peaks and the colour saturation. I used the lighter snow as the white balance point and then used a gradient to mask it in. I agree the distant peaks could use a bit more saturation, but I find the lhs (for me) is about right.
I can only imagine what is was like to experience this place. I’m sure pictures just don’t do it justice. But you’re rendition of the place comes real close! There is little to judge scale here, but it most certainly is implied!
I will echo the other comments on their suggestions. Thanks for taking the time to rework the suggestions. I think the crop from the top improves the image overall, especially given the bluebird sky, which of course you had no control over.
I played around a bit, but my edits aren’t that different, so not worth posting another version. The only suggestion I might have would be to select/mask the sky and play around with exposure, color, saturation to try and make the sky appear a little more blue (rather than pale bluebird). That is certainly a personal and subjective suggestion.
What a grand place and you did well to come back with a memorable capture.
Lon, Regarding your comment re scale. This is a very remote area with little man made objects, however at the head of the fjord is a small boat harbour, a tiny village (out of site) and a car / RV parking area. It also has a very busy (mornings)tourist light aircraft airport (also out of site). This photo is not really for critique, but this view was behind me when I took the ultra wide above. A quick and dirty edit (the trees on the skyline top lhs are a bit ugly).
If you got to see Milford Sound with a blue sky, you are indeed blessed. Or not!
I like your repost with the sky cropped down a little and peaks adjustment. I wonder if you would consider cropping a fair slice off the right hand side to around where the first colour on the mountain top is. I also wonder if another version is possible with a much dark foreground? I love those subtle reflections.
I played with this idea, and agree with Diane. Keeping the same aspect ratio and cropping to remove the left and top to just remove the sunlit area on the left is a nice version.
I have tried all your suggestions - all good versions of the original and certainly worth considering. For me, the original repost is best as the bright lhs is the entry point, then my eyes wander to the distant bright points and then to the rhs - similar to reading.
Glennie’s comment about blue skies. This is indeed so as Milford gets about 8m of rain a year. It also is in the roaring 40’s so entry from the sea is never guaranteed. The white streaks on the hillsides turn into massive waterfalls with rain, lasting perhaps an hour after each shower. All this says I must go back again, from the land side this time.
