# Mystery **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** editors-pick, landscape\ **Created:** [June 28, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194 "2025-06-28T21:47:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Youssef\_Ismail](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/youssef_ismail/32/486_2.png) [@Youssef\_Ismail](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Youssef_Ismail)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/1 "2025-06-28T21:47:22Z")
![MysteryNPN.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/5/7/578deef61e674cbee6b9765113532a12ec54b666.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description I can’t recall anything about this photograph other than I know it was made in La Jolla and it was on 4x5. I could find out more but I was intrigued by how little I remembered about it. ### Specific Feedback What feeling does this composition evoke in you? I am unsure about the white foggy water at the edge of the rock. Any thoughts on it? Does B&W suit this? Being that it was made on film, the color had a strong blue/magenta cast that was very hard to remove, so I opted for B&W. ### Technical Details Shen-Hao 4x5, Probably a Nikon 150mm f/4.5 lens, exposure (a mystery) but sure long enough to blur the water. Scanned (probably with a Microtek 1880f - which is long gone) processed in PS. * * * ### Critique Template Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas. - Vision and Purpose: - Conceptual: - Emotional Impact and Mood: - Composition: - Balance and Visual Weight: - Depth and Dimension: - Color: - Lighting: - Processing: - Technical: ---
**Author:** ![Gill\_Vanderlip](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gill_vanderlip/32/54254_2.png) [@Gill\_Vanderlip](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Gill_Vanderlip)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/2 "2025-06-28T22:38:10Z")
Perfect in B&W !!! Very Cool Image. Great Composition and Tone… ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 2:51am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/3 "2025-06-29T02:51:20Z")
Who cares about the provenance – it is lovely!! Odd – I don’t usually think about the feelings an image evokes. They are there, certainly, but at a level above verbalization. But whatever they are, they are mysterious and peaceful and good. I love the ratio devoted to the FG rocks, with the lesser sea and sky. And a wonderful job of keeping the plane of focus on the rocks and horizon. (With my limited experience with T/S lenses I was always surprised how little tilt it took.) I think the white water in the gap is fine, possibly because it echoes the white in the sky. And the dark in the sky echoes the distant water and the rocks. There are a couple of small spots in the sky, but hardly noticeable. Very well done!! ---
**Author:** ![Youssef\_Ismail](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/youssef_ismail/32/486_2.png) [@Youssef\_Ismail](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Youssef_Ismail)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 2:57am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/4 "2025-06-29T02:57:21Z")
@Diane_Miller that is one of the special qualities of a 4x5 that I think I will miss the most, the ability to set the plane of focus almost anywhere in the frame and then setting the aperture to increase the DOF around that plane. In this case the plane was the top of the rocks itself. I have thought about getting a T/S lens for my D850, but not sure it is worth the trouble given that we can focus stack. I do still miss the focus calisthenics though. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 3:26am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/5 "2025-06-29T03:26:11Z")
Focus stacks solve the problem of a tree poking up out of the laid-down focal plane. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@Ed\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 3:34am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/6 "2025-06-29T03:34:20Z")
Hi Youssef, I am absolutely loving this! This B&W image is dripping with mood and has an air of mystery to it. I am also very much enjoying the lines and shapes of the rocks as they direct the viewer into the scene. The drama in the sky also adds to the moodiness of this coastal landscape. The conversion to B&W was a great call and has created a wide range of tones for the viewer to savor. No suggestions from me. . ---
**Author:** ![WillR](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/willr/32/58261_2.png) [@WillR](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/WillR)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 11:48am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/7 "2025-06-29T11:48:15Z")
Youseff, I really like this image. I looked at it for awhile before reading your description. And what drew my eye was exactly the bright area of water at the end of the rocks. I think it adds a focal point to the image that really works. It also fits your title. It sort of looks like a gateway to somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Preston\_Birdwell](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/preston_birdwell/32/374_2.png) [@Preston\_Birdwell](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Preston_Birdwell)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/8 "2025-06-29T15:46:31Z")
Youssef, Ed Weston would be proud of you. Your image is very reminiscent of his work. The B&W works wonderfully here. Another great thing about the view cameras is tilting the camera back to accentuate the shapes in the foreground. It looks like you did that here along with lens tilt to control DOF. Well done! The rocks guide one to the ocean and sky creating a nice blend of shape and tonal variation. If I had one suggestion, it would be to try to pull a little more detail from the shadows, but that is minor. I have been reluctant to sell my 4x5 gear. It’s in its pack sitting next to my desk. It just gotten so expensive to shoot 4x5 (the best I could find is $6 per sheet +shipping), not to mention the issues scanning the film. I am torn, frankly. Your image is wonderful, sir! -P ---
**Author:** ![Youssef\_Ismail](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/youssef_ismail/32/486_2.png) [@Youssef\_Ismail](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Youssef_Ismail)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/9 "2025-06-29T17:00:37Z")
@Preston_Birdwell , I agree with you about the 4x5. I don’t think I can sell it either. The 4x5 was central to my growth as a photographer. I have one last project that I want to accomplish with the 4x5, I want to photograph the Milky Way in 4x5 color film. Once I get that done I might retire it but I don’t think I’ll sell it. Thank you for your feedback. ---
**Author:** ![Igor\_Doncov](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/igor_doncov/32/579_2.png) [@Igor\_Doncov](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Igor_Doncov)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/10 "2025-06-29T23:24:32Z")
Great work, Youssef. It is mysterious and somehow threatening as well. The rocks are suggestive. In a way they also look like mazes and that’s seems to be the point of departure. In a way it’s not surf on rocks but what it is is up to the viewer. ---
**Author:** ![Bonnie\_Lampley](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bonnie_lampley/32/4825_2.png) [@Bonnie\_Lampley](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bonnie_Lampley)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/11 "2025-06-30T02:40:47Z")
Oh, most excellent, Youssef. The light, “fuzzy” water is wonderful. The way the brightest bit points us towards the incredible rock shapes, and the rock shapes point us to the light water is perfect. I agree with Igor - it feels a bit threatening and mysterious. ---
**Author:** ![Lon\_Overacker](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/lon_overacker/32/10929_2.png) [@Lon\_Overacker](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Lon_Overacker)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 6:06am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/12 "2025-06-30T06:06:14Z")
Youssef, Outstanding! B&W is perfectly chosen for this scene as it really showcases the mood, in addition the shapes and tones. I agree with Igor in that the rocks are suggestive, if not evocative. Great job with the tonality between the highlighted tops, and the deep shadows. The sky is foreboding, threatening indeed giving the entire frame a great sense of mood and mystery. The foggy gathering of the surf works beautifully in this composition too, I think actually anchoring the scene. No nits or suggestions, although I agree with Diane, there are a couple of small UFO’s in the sky… 😁 > [@Youssef\_Ismail](#): > > Once I get that done I might retire it but I don’t think I’ll sell it. I get the sentiment Youssef. While I greatly miss the entire large format process and experience… I don’t reqret selling all my gear (it’s what funding my transition to digital!) But I get it. I wish it didn’ cost me like $8 every time I pressed the shutter… And now, after retirement… I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to do with a few thousand 4x5 slides… but I’m sorry, I digress from your wonderful image… ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 1:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/13 "2025-06-30T13:24:32Z")
Congratulations on the EP – so well-deserved!! ---
**Author:** ![tom.marin](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/tom.marin/32/72972_2.png) [@tom.marin](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/tom.marin)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2025, 3:01pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/14 "2025-07-03T15:01:00Z")
Fantastic photograph that instantly emotes moodiness of the moment. Really excellent photograph! ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Gibson](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bill_gibson/32/64577_2.png) [@Bill\_Gibson](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bill_Gibson)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 4:21am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/mystery/47194/15 "2025-07-08T04:21:59Z")
- Vision and Purpose: - Conceptual: - Emotional Impact and Mood: - Composition: - Balance and Visual Weight: - Depth and Dimension: - Color: - Lighting: - Processing: The foggy water next to the rocks makes it mysterious and good! Why not? I would say it reminds me of some of Ralph Gibson’s images, sort of liminal consciousness imagery. Who sees geometric rocks like those in real life? We do! - Technical: