Critique Style Requested: In-depth
The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
Overall, I currently perceive that I achieved my goal, but I am relatively new to expressive photography. Basically, I don’t know what I don’t know so I appreciate any feedback!
Creative direction
My goal was to highlight the frost on the tree with the flow of the main tree branches accentuating it and softening the brittle feel on the branches with a flowing gentleness. Basically all the little everyday events in life which seem disconnected with the overall flow of life, and the tree on the right being a metaphor for death.
Specific Feedback
I am curious if my composition works and if I should dodge the tree on the right.
Technical Details
ISO 100, f/8, 1/250 sec
Description
What caught my eye was the frost on the trees. I first attempted to create a softer, color image because that is my usual “go to,” but black and white emphasizes the patterns and, to me, color distracted from my goal for the image.
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Bill,
Yes, you’ve done a great job showcasing or isolating the frosted tree against the bg. The selective focus and DOF you used worked very well towards your goal.
I do see your vision, metaphor for “all the little everyday events in life…” being represented by all the tiny, frost covered branches. however, I don’t see “death” being represented here. I’m sure mostly because I wasn’t there to experience what you did at the time.
Relating to the background, my only suggestion, or question would be, what is beyond the frame that you cropped to? I’m almost wanting to see MORE of the backgound. If anything to emphasize the separation of the main, frosted tree and the bg trees; which clearly btw are two different kinds of trees. But I’m guessing there were other unwanted elements. If not though, bringing back some breathing room around this lovely frosted tree, could actually help improve or emphasize the separation between the two. Hope that makes sense.
Great job on the b&w processing. The contrast is spot on. And no, I wouldn’t dodge the tree on the right - and by that you mean the bg pine tree? To me, it’s all part of the soft background forest; so I don’t see that as a stand alone tree that needs to be addressed. But again, that’s just my thought and acknowledge I wasn’t there to experience.
Thanks for sharing. Well seen and processed.
Hello @Lon_Overacker, I really appreciate the feedback. I can see where I overanalyzed and death is not represented in the image. I did not experience that when I was there either. I did rework the image to give it more breathing room and I agree it does look better. I did soften the bg in post processing. The Beta version of Photoshop’s select subject works well. Thanks, Bill
@Lon_Overacker didn’t leave me much to add; my thoughts pretty well line up with his.
I do like your second version; the extra room feels more balanced.
I don’t know what options there were in the color version for building a mask that isolated the foreground tree vs. the background, but if that were an option I could see using that to darken the background some and let that icy tree stand out even more.
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Thank you for the input John! I was able to reselect the tree with the B&W version in PS Beta so I did darken the background some. I tried to not overdo it. - Bill
