Morning Show

Image Critiques Landscape Critiques
1

20240423 Morning Show 2.jpg
20240423 Morning Show 2.jpg1107×1550 977 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

The flowers in the eastern Columbia River Gorge bloomed earlier than I have typically seen in my years living in the Pacific Northwest, and when I was there in April of this year I struggled to find balsamroot that were still in good shape. This cluster wasn’t too bad, so I set up on them for sunrise. The sun was apparently blocked during the time I would have expected fire in the sky, but started pouring some light in just a little before rising over the hills.

Specific Feedback

The flowers had a rough symmetry that I liked, so I decided I was willing to make the trade that the distant hills were somewhat obscured by the trees in the ravine. (And if I’m honest, I couldn’t find a patch of flowers that weren’t past peak in the compositions that showed the hills better.) Is that fact that the distant hills are partially blocked by the trees a deal breaker?

Any and all thoughts are appreciated; it’s often the questions I don’t know to ask that have the best answers.

Technical Details

NIKON Z 7II
NIKKOR Z 14-30 f/4S at 14.0 mm
Seven images at 1/213 sec. at f/6.3 and ISO 64, focus stacked using Helicon Focus
One image exposed to recover blown highlights in the sky at 1/100 sec. at f/9.0 and ISO 64

Critique Template

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  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
  • Emotional Impact and Mood:
  • Composition:
  • Balance and Visual Weight:
  • Depth and Dimension:
  • Color:
  • Lighting:
  • Processing:
  • Technical:
2

John: I always enjoy your images like this with the flowers leading to the BG. I like the trees and don’t mind that they block some of the hills. If the hills were more compelling I might think differently but I don’t miss them. I also like the small clumps of small flowers close to the ground and think they add a nice touch. Good find and a fine capture and stack. >=))>

3

Hi John,
I always enjoy your in your face flower scenes and this one is no exception. You managed to find a nice grouping even though they arrived a bit early and I like the way those smaller flowers are scattered around the lower part of the frame. For me the flowers are the star of the show, so having some of the distant hills partially obscured by the trees is not a deal breaker. BTW, the stack looks excellent. Nicely done.

4

John, I thought this might be you (with the Balsamroot) at first glance. I do think it works well. The flowers are clearly the star, but the deep landscape and the spreading clouds make great depth. I think that having the distant hills partially obscurred adds to the feeling of depth.