# Not Rugged Land #1 **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** editors-pick, abstract, macro-close-up\ **Created:** [March 19, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-rugged-land-1/50169 "2026-03-19T13:28:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mark\_Seaver](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_seaver/32/231_2.png) [@Mark\_Seaver](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Seaver)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-rugged-land-1/50169/1 "2026-03-19T13:28:17Z")
![Not Rugged Land #1.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/e/3/e31e235df33a7e3d93dbb313b68e199c83a7abba.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description We had an overnight freeze on Tuesday that created ice on some edges of my pond, so I spent some time exploring those areas. It was overcast, so even with using my polarizer the raw files are low in contrast. Adding mid-tone contrast in Adobe also adds lots of saturation. The colors are from leaves and algae on the bottom of the pond. The long axis covers about 9 inches. ### Specific Feedback I’ve backed off the saturation by 10 points in Lightroom to reduce the “dayglow” effect but wonder if either more or less saturation might be in order. ### Technical Details R5, 180mm macro, 1/13 s, f/13, iso 800, tripod and polarizer. A 10 shot stack. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 3:15pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-rugged-land-1/50169/2 "2026-03-19T15:15:25Z")
I think this saturation works pretty well, Mark. A nice find. I do sometimes have fun using the point color tool in LR to bring out specific tones, but I really don’t think it would get you much in this image. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Fach](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bill_fach/32/78290_2.png) [@Bill\_Fach](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bill_Fach)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-rugged-land-1/50169/3 "2026-03-19T17:30:15Z")
Mark: Since we’re scheduled for record high temperatures in the next few days I’m having a hard time envisioning ice so I was wondering if this was something else. I think that impression is enhanced by your use of the polarizer which very effectively reduced the reflections one would expect with an ice image. The saturation and other processing choices you made work very nicely for me. You’re the undisputed champion of this genre. Most excellent. \>=))\> ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2026, 1:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-rugged-land-1/50169/4 "2026-03-21T13:54:40Z")
Hi Mark, I never tire of your ice abstracts, and this is no exception. I love the color palette and the angular texture combined with subsurface globular color. Saturation looks great to me. ML ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_Baird](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/chris_baird/32/72124_2.png) [@Chris\_Baird](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Chris_Baird)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2026, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-rugged-land-1/50169/5 "2026-03-21T19:31:36Z")
Yes, it does look like an aerial shot of rugged land upon first glance. Nice find. A real ice work of art. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Freeman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/shirley_freeman/32/11361_2.png) [@Shirley\_Freeman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Shirley_Freeman)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/not-rugged-land-1/50169/6 "2026-03-21T22:29:53Z")
I so enjoy your ice images, Mark. This one does look like an aerial view. Well done as usual.