The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This is hot off the press; taken Saturday morning in Blackwater Falls SP in WV. My brother Mike was supposed to go with me, but texted me Friday evening that he was not going due to not feeling well. We had planned this for a rain event so I decided to make the four hour trip by myself because this was the only day calling for rain. We always stop at this location because of the overlapping ridge lines and chances are pretty good that you can get some fog/mist when it rains. I was not disappointed.
Specific Feedback
Just wondering how this looks overall to everyone; particularly in regards to the contrast and saturation. I used some dehaze, but didn’t want to go so far as to destroy the peaceful vibe I felt as the fog swirled about the trees. Likewise I didn’t go to far with the contrast for the same reason. Does this work for you as presented or should I take it farther?
Technical Details
Nikon Z 7, Nikon 100-400 @ 400 mm, f 11 @ 1/80 sec, ISO 400, cable release & tripod
Critique Template
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Vision and Purpose:
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I think you’ve posted fall colors from this spot haven’t you Ed? It looks familiar. Anyway, I very much like the layers you have going on here. each ridge gets progressively lighter and with less contrast until the scene falls off into the abyss. You might try and extract just a little bit more information in the upper right portion of the mountainside but I must admit that I kind of like it as is. It really just depends on the mood you want to extend to the viewer. You could also darken the whole image giving it a whole different kind of vibe but really, count me in for liking it how you posted it. Terrific balance and composition too. You had some great light to work with Ed! Too bad @Michael_Lowe couldn’t be there to share in the moment with you. Hope he’s feeling better.
This spot never fails to deliver,Ed. Nice, moody, atmospheric shot. Looks like some trees are starting to turn. We’ll have to keep a close eye on that. I like the color, saturation and contrast as posted but I would crop a little off the top. here’s no detail there and would keep the viewer attention to those beautiful criss crossing hillsides.
Thanks for the well wishes @David_Haynes . I actually could have gone cause whatever bug I had passed in the night. Thought I’d play it safe and cancel ahead of time. Didn’t want to call Ed @ 4 in the morning.
I like this image a lot - very classic and extremely pleasant. I like the layers of vegetation fading in the distance, and the effects of the clouds. I think the de-haze is just right, I would not go further. I am undecided between your version and Michael’s, both make sense but somehow I like the expanse of cloudy atmosphere above the hills… In any case, excellent image!
Wow – utter serenity with gorgeous mist and light! I could go with either crop but wonder about the top one with a subtle graduated burn at the top. I love the patch of brighter fog in the center, cradled so nicely by the hills. Not a nit, but I wouldn’t go any further with dehaze, and would probably obsess about comparing other ways to adjust contrast – even starting from a linear profile. Contrast is pretty straightforward to increase but can be very tricky to reduce. Comparing different looks can be fun.
I’ll echo that I like both your original and Michael’s crop. In the end, I guess just crop it to what fits best when you hang it .
This spot gives you those nice intersecting diagonals, and I always enjoy how fog gives depth to an image. I would not dehaze more as I think the fog looks really good as is.
Many thanks everyone @David_Haynes, @Michael_Lowe, @Antonello_Provenzale, @Diane_Miller and @John_Williams for your thoughts on this image as it is always appreciated. This overlook is one of the first locations Mike and I head to when visiting Blackwater during a rain event. Glad to know that I struck a nice balance with the dehaze and contrast as I am going to make a print of this in the near future.
@David_Haynes : You are absolutely right; I have posted autumn images from this spot as well. I think fall is going to be early this year so I will be heading back in about three weeks.
@Michael_Lowe : That crop works as well. Thanks for the idea.
@Diane_Miller : That patch of brighter fog was in the perfect position and is one of my favorite parts as well.
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