The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
It was a rainy day at Moab but I remember being told that bad weather is good for photography. I found some wonderful light as the day ended.
Specific Feedback
In the processed photo I have been trying to improve on dodging and burning to bring out depth. I had some difficulty in trying to de-saturate the color of the big rock. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Technical Details
Critique Template
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Nice composition and sky. Changing weather always make for good light. However, I do feel that your processed image is just too saturated. I understand what you were trying to do, but it can be accomplished using a mask and just simply burn in the foreground and then you can boost the saturation minimally overall. I took the liberty of making the suggested adjustments. I used the TK9 panel and used a Darks-3 mask and then burned in the foreground. Then using a Saturation-3 mask and a Vibrance-3 mask I bumped up the saturation to +15 and the Vibrance to +5.
This is a fresh composition from an area that is frequently photographed, and I like it. The saturation and tonality of the first image isn’t quite right to my eyes. Too saturated and too much shadow detail. I much prefer the second one although I do think you could boost saturation just a touch to give that sky a bit more presence (as if it needs it!). Living here in Moab, I am quite familiar with how nuclear some of our sunsets are and I wouldn’t be afraid to push the second one just a tad farther. Nice work!
This is a beautiful sunset Jim. The second image, I think it is your edited version looks wonderful. You can actually place it in front of the other image if you copy the file and move it up when you’re in edit/pencil mode.
Yes, now that I have come back to the image after a day or so I agree that it is too saturated. Thanks for the comments about TK9 - I find them very useful.
Jim, I agree with the others that the top post is too saturated…nuff said. The second post has lots of potential, where increased contrast in the sky would look good (and result in slightly more saturation). Then, some dodging of the land would let its details show. I think the result would feel more real. It is a good looking scene and not the “typical Moab area” view, which is nice.
