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
The form and structure of the trees, their “dance” and symmetry
Creative direction
The emotion, perhaps, is that the two trees look like abandoned souls
Specific Feedback
Aesthetic; Conceptual; Emotional; Technical
Technical Details
ISO 200; 1/15; /9.5; Tripod; Coverted to B&W with Silver Efex Pro.
Description
One day, coming from a purchased in my town, I saw, in a corner of an orchard, these to trees. I liked the from and sense of abandon.
Great eye to see these old souls. My only small critique is that they are too similar in tone to the BG and they kinda get lost. I think a little fog is needed to impart a sense of separation.
I definitely get why you were drawn to take this picture. The trees have that gnarly Tolkienesque animation that is compelling. The problem for me is as @Michael_Lowe noted - there isn’t enough tonal variation so that the trees are getting lost in the background. There are a number of ways you could try to mitigate that in post. If you could make a mask of just the trees, you could reduce the texture and clarity of the background chaos and then maybe add a little more contrast/dodge and burn to the trees themselves … maybe. Another possibility would be to add the colour back in and then pull the saturation back. I don’t know what the colour version looks like but sometimes working with colour can help create more separation. But again, were I to introduce colour I’d probably be inclined to pull it back so that it is just enough to add separation but not so much that it distracts from the “story” or mood you’re trying to share.
I think this was a lovely scene, and has possibilities to be wonderful. I see your last post was before I joined here, so I went to your web site and I am enchanted by what I find there!! Your opening quote about the environment is so well stated and your images are wonderful!
I will be back to delve into it much further. In the meantime, welcome back to NPN – I hope you will find it worthwhile to participate!!
Thank you for your kind words, Diane. I’m glad you like my site. I hope you’ll find more interesting things. And definitely it is worthwhile to participate!
Again, thanks !
It is true that the trees here blend into the background, but that’s what also makes this image what it is, it’s not just a couple of old trees, but rather no longer tended orchar getting sucked back into the organic mess that is nature, and there is much to be said for caputuring that sort of transitory state. But making it work is a challenge. I’d experiment with the contrast curve a bit, I think there is enough difference between the background and the tree trunks to be able to separate it enough without complex editing. And/or a slight vignette might also make the trees to stand out bit more.
Thanks, Thomas. I think your interpretation of the photo is right: but rather no longer tended orchard getting sucked back into the organic mess that is nature
I have, now, a lot of “Homework”, on trying to work with your comments.
