The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I was mucking around in the archives again and came across these two (the same trees from slightly different angles) that I had not even processed from the raw IR captures. I played with them and liked what I found.
Specific Feedback
All comments welcome!
Technical Details
Just went with the WB Temp as far down as I can go in LR. Going farther requires Canon DPP or a custom profile I have made, but I had a look at just going to B/W in LR and tweaking sliders and liked what I got. So that’s as far as I went – no PS here. The first one is cropped from the right to minimize the heavy branch exiting the frame. No, it wasn’t snowing – those are green leaves!
Cool! A most unique view of these classic oaks. Of the two, I prefer the second one - only flipped horizontally. Can’t speak for anyone else, but I read this image (both of them) from left to right. I like having the main trunks on the right in the first view as the left half is more open and inviting - which is where I looked first.
In the second view, I also start viewing on the left (unconsciously) and the large oak trunks stop me - or cause me to pause before viewing the rest of the scene. I do like that open area with the tree tops showing in more open space. Flipping this one horizontally seems to be the sweet spot - at least for me! But it’s your image and you were there! And I know it’s not easy to change one’s first impression since you were there!
I like them both but probably the 1st is my fav. Maybe if the clump of branches in the 2nd image just right of center were lightened a bit, it would be better-seems to carry more weight than the rest of the lighter foliage. I like Lon’s suggestion of flipping it though.
Larry
Diane, love these IR images! I, too, prefer the first image. The composition works better IMHO. My eye loves exploring the area of the trunks and the details of the branches and leaves. I like the sharp tree trunks and other details. What did you use to sharpen?
Well, I love both of them. Oaks in IR give a totally different feel to them. Those old trees feel so heavy, with their stout trunks and gnarled branches. IR gives them a graceful feel and emphasizes all the wonderful squiggly twigs.
The 2nd would be my choice. I like it’s perspective of looking upwards more than from the side. The distant oaks look like clouds so that works well with the idea. I agree with Bonnie on her comments about IR and foliage.
Thanks, @Lon_Overacker, @LarryR, @Susanna_Euston, @Bonnie_Lampley and @Igor_Doncov! I didn’t think about a flip but I think it works well. I’ve added a straight flip above but now the lighter branches in the LL need more work, probably with another conversion. (I was surprised at that difference!) I’ll tackle that tomorrow.
Susanna, I used my favorite sharpening tool here – the lens! (And luck.) Seriously, the only sharpening these had was the default in LR with is extremely subtle. I didn’t even do any denoise, which usually does a little sharpening. And this is an old camera, lens and sensor.
Thanks, @Eva_McDermott! I do want to see if I can tame the bright corners in the last two. I think it might take more than just a masked curves, but I’ll start with that when I have time to play with it. Maybe a TK tone mask might do it.
