The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Over the last few months I’ve been slowly going through all of my image folders, deleting things that should have been deleted long ago, rescuing images that for some reason or another had never been processed and re-processing older images that just weren’t processed well the first time around. This image falls into that latter category. It was far too contrasty and saturated, and I’d unnaturally darkened the sky. Much happier with this version and curious to hear your general thoughts.
Specific Feedback
General thoughts on the processing and composition. The little swoop uphill on the left bothers me a tiny bit but unsure if others have the same reaction.
Technical Details
Canon 5D MKII
Canon 24-105mm lens @ 24mm
ISO 100
.5s @ f/16
Processed in Lightroom, Photoshop and Color Efex Pro
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Now that’s what I call some leading lines. I like it. I think you’re being too picky. The uphill swoop doesn’t bother me. But you mentioned the sky and said you went unnaturally dark. I feel you went a tiny tad too much the other way here. I would add just a touch of contrast. A minor adjustment for an excellent image.
PS After posting I don’t know if I added too much contrast. My intention was just to get the clouds a little more definition and separate them from the BG sky.
Brett, the composition and textures on this image really work for me. At first glance the upward sloping hill on the left horizon seemed a tad left-heavy but after looking at it full size I really think it works with the dramatic foreground rock with the leading lines and the rock tower leaning to the left, almost as a pointer! Here is another version with some added light in the main foreground/subject just to give the eye a starting point in exploring this scene. I also decreased the overall saturation a bit. I do like @Michael_Lowe 's sky, but this image does not need super drama in the sky but what he did works great. Overall, this is a fine image, and glad you rescued it from the dustbin!
Hi Bret,
This is a beautiful combination of warm and cool tones and I am loving those leading lines in the FG rock as it directs me to that BG formation! Your processing looks spot on for my tastes and that uphill swoop does not bother me one iota. Glad you decided to rescue this beauty. I only have one tiny suggestion. It is probably me because no one else has mentioned it, but I could see cropping off that bush along the right edge of the frame. I quite like this!
Bret, what grabs my eyes second is the lean to the left of the towers at the top. That’s following my exploration of the big layered stone triangle pointing to those towers. The slope on the left doesn’t bother me, although doing a modest local desaturation would reduce it’s visual impact. I also think that some mid-tone burning in the sky would give it just a touch more contrast, while mid-tone dodging of the big rock triange would let those layers have a slightly stronger visual role.
@Michael_Lowe I think you’re right, I did go a little too far in the other direction with the sky. The extra contrast in the sky of your re-work does give it more presence, and I like that, but it’s not obnoxious like my initially processed version.
@Keith_Flood Thanks for your comments and re-work of the image. I think I prefer the slightly darker, more contrasty foreground of mine but I wonder if it would be possible to get a little more “light” on it without sacrificing the contrast? I’ll play around with it a bit. Good suggestion!
@Ed_Lowe Thanks, Ed! I’m glad that the swoop doesn’t seem to be an issue for anyone here. You’re right about that bush. I don’t really want to crop but I wonder if it would be possible to clone it out? I’ll have a go at it.
@John_Williams I really like this version. The sky is somewhere between mine and Michael’s, and I think it’s nicely balanced. Thank you for your comments (and another version!).
@Mark_Seaver Thank you for your comments. I think you and I share the same idea for the FG, as I mentioned in a previous response. I do like your suggestion to slightly desaturate the hill on the left. I did burn it down a bit to keep the viewer’s eye more on the center triangle of striated rock but hadn’t considered reducing the saturation. Thanks for the idea!
The leading lines are incredible. I agree with Michael Lowe’s edit and considering the definition he brought out in the sky. This is a wonderful composition.
Gonna sound like a broken record, but the composition with the strong lead-in lines is outstanding; not only lead-in front to back, but they also of course pull in from the corners.
I like how Michael brought out some texture/detail in the sky; although personally I would dial back the blues as they begin to compete a little with the colors of the sandstone.
I’m not sure if this was mentioned, but I’ll mention. The ONLY thing that catches my eye is the bit of grass/brush breaching the right edge. The lone plant separate from the edge is fine. The the stuff on the edge draw my eye a bit. I hated to crop, but I did a little. And so not to intrude too much with cropping, I also dialed down the exposure/sat in that area to reduce the distraction. Not sure if the overall result is better, but here goes anyway.
Bret, as all others point out a wonderful desert image and play on the contrast in cool vs. warm tones. What I also love after looking at this image for a bit is the difference in landscapes on either side of the lines leading to the rock formation. It appears to be two very different worlds that are divided by the rock. I do prefer the image with the crop of the bush on the edge. For me, I am still a bit drawn to the lighter grass on the right than anything on the right. For me it does through things a bit off balance given the contrast with the other bushes it is beside. I am not sure how to tackle this other than to see if you can darken the bush on the right a bit, reduce its clarity slightly and try to find something on the left to punch up a bit to compete with.
Bret - I like your overall composition here. The only thing that really is a distraction for me is the shadow void on the right side below that bush. I’d try to bring some detail back there if possible or potentially try to crop that right side. To my eye a crop retains the essence of what it feels like you were trying to capture, plus it places more emphasis on textures of the rock which is something that I find fascinating in VoF generally.
@Lon_Overacker Good catch re: that bush on the right. I usually find and correct those things (Edge Patrol!) but I missed it. Totally agree with you, although I think I’d rather clone it out than crop the image. Thank you for the feedback!
@LeeN I appreciate your comments. You’re absolutely right about that bush at the edge of the frame and I’m going to experiment with cloning it out. I’ll play around with the other bush using your suggested edits, too.
@GeorgeKalantzes Thanks for your comment. Are you on a calibrated monitor? I ask because those shadows are dark, but not completely black and featureless. Regardless, I’ll play around with it and see what I can come up with.
