The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This pond is a favorite of Ed and me. Most people just pass on by this little nondescript pond right by the side of the road. That is until we set up our tripods and then it becomes the biggest tourist attraction in the park.
Specific Feedback
Any and all comments or critiques welcome. There’s 3 things I noticed after posting that I would change. Wondering if anyone else would pick them out.
Technical Details
Nikon D800, 80-200, 1/6 sec @ f/11, ISO 100
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Michael, this is a lovely, restful scene, well worth hanging and enjoying large. I don’t see anything that needs change, although I’m sure some would want the bright lilypad reflections removed. The touch of mist is a fine extra to the near perfect reflection. I know the feeling of tripods grabbing attention, having started several “critter jams” in Yellowstone…when I was watching the light change…no critters!
Oh man, this is just a pretty scene. Beautiful colors. Not sure why anyone would just drive by this scene but their loss. I love the mood represented here as well. The soft light and the fog on the water make this sing.
Things I might change:
On the bottom edge of the image just left of center there are artifacts in the water and they are literally right on the edge. Crop or clone those out. In the LRC there are similar dark shadow reflections creeping into the scene that I would crop or clone out. There are also some lily pads that I might remove although I have to say, I’m not that bothered by them. I might also tone down the fog. It seems a bit bright but that may be how it actually was. When I first opened this I thought the bright red/orange tree on the left side of the frame was grabbing my eye but with it cropped out the image loses it’s balance so I think that little bit of tree is critical. Hope that helps. Not sure if that’s what you were referring to or not but those are the things that I see. All very teeny tiny nits and they don’t really detract at all from a beautifully rendered image.
This is beautiful! I’m loving that the reflection and real upper is separated by the layer of mist - and even the presence of the beaver huts?.
I think the processing is excellent and I really enjoy the level of color and saturation you’ve presented. Looks just right! (Many, including myself might tend to punch up too much - very tempting in a scene like this.)
3 things? hmmmm. 2 come to me right away. The first, I would crop out the lone orange tree straddling the left edge. Second, the water level is tilted ever so slightly. Other than that, I would go with David’s observation of the bottom of the frame just left of center; crop or clone that out.
Very minor corrections for sure. This is just a wonderful scene. I can certainly relate to your story about causing a psuedo tourist attraction simply because you’re standing by a tripod looking at a scene. Most times, people think you’ve spotted a grizzly bear, moose or some critter… “nah, I’m just waiting for the light to change…” lol.
A couple of minor tweaks and this should be printed large!
Gorgeous!! I’d think you hiked 5 miles starting 3 hours before sunrise to catch this! Ditto on the tiny stuff at the bottom edge. Looking at the thumbnail I thought the horizon was slightly tilted but in PS it is less than I thought, but pulling down a guide shows just a tiny bit CCW needed. I would maybe crop the half trees on the left and right edges – but maybe not on the right. I don’t see anything else. Wonderful scene!!
Thanks @Mark_Seaver , @David_Haynes , @Lon_Overacker , @Diane_Miller. @Mark_Seaver, I was thinking about removing the lily pads but decided against it. @David_Haynes, yes my edge patrol was not very good, was it? The red tree on the left was one of my concerns. The fog, I think was actually brighter than here. I was -1 ex comp to keep from blowing it out. I forgot to say this was Acadia National Park. Everyone is too busy trying to make it down to the rocky Cliffs on the ocean shoreline to even notice this roadside beauty. @Lon_Overacker, you caught the tree and the CW tilt. Regarding the processing, I really didn’t do anything except a little curves adjustment and which brings me to my third concern. Some sloppy cloning work in the LL water. There were some OOF FG leaves from a bush in front of the lens. I left some repeating patterns, that once I’ve noticed them, I can’t unsee them. @Diane_Miller, you are correct about the LH tree and the tilt. My days of hiking 5 miles for a photo are over. I’m more into, if I can’t see it from the road, I ain’t going.
Oops, I am too late. You already spilled the beans. I remember this morning very well as it was a wonderful couple of hours of capturing images. FWIW the only thing I noticed was the stuff along the bottom. Have you tried adding a little canvas to the tree on the left? If you crop it I think the balance is thrown off as @David_Haynes already alluded to. Beautiful scene for sure!
I hadn’t noticed the clone repeats – have you tried the new Remove tool? Sometimes it isn’t perfect but often it can be amazing. Or Generative Fill? It can be scary good. But I’m still a fan of cloning – it’s much more hands-on – my own brush strokes instead of some AI thing. But those two feel more like advanced content-aware things than AI things.
I’m with you on hiking. My husband has no concept of distance and I often have to remind him that if it’s more than a mile, forget it. A statute mile. (A nautical mile is 15% longer.)
Michael, such a lovely scene and so well captured. I really can’t add any thoughts on how this could be improved and really enjoyed this image with my morning coffee.
I have been looking at this wonderful photo for days but failed to comment. It is a pristine autumn photograph and the mist is just icing on the cake. I do not have much more to add in the way of perfecting it that has not already been said. Great work.
Wow, this is really stunning. The soft light, near-perfect reflections, and mist on the water are just exceptional. Great colours.
Nits already mentionned, so I’ll just say “marvelous” !
Your more recent post reminded me that I’ve been wanting to get back to this one, because it is wonderful. The mix of color, amazing reflection, fog, and beaver mounds all come together for a grand symphony. I have nothing to add to the suggestions above, just applause.
The red tree on the left was one of my concerns. The fog, I think was actually brighter than here. I was -1 ex comp to keep from blowing it out. I forgot to say this was Acadia National Park. Everyone is too busy trying to make it down to the rocky Cliffs on the ocean shoreline to even notice this roadside beauty.
