The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Since 2018 I visit the same autumn photo workshop here in Sweden. The last three years I have photographed the same plants in the same spot of a pond that we visit each time. The two previous visits has produced the following two images: Out of the darkness #2Out of the darkness + rework
This is my latest attempt from September this year.
Specific Feedback
No specific request, I appreciate any comments on how to further improve the image as well as what you find works as it is.
Technical Details
I tried to match the pressure of the shutter with the waves in the pond in such a way that I got blue reflections in half of the image while for the rest of the image I could see down below the surface.
OM-1 with 40-150 f/2.8 lens @ 100 mm, 1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 1600 (to get fast enough shutter speed), tripod.
Software used: DxO Photolab (raw development and post-processing) and Luminar Neo (additional post-processing).
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I’m not sure what you mean about the pressure of the shutter, but I like the image very much. The reflection sets off the leaves above water in a way that makes the rest look even more mysterious and gives them a feel of being trapped. Sharpness in the top leaves is good and the water has a nice silky texture which contrasts well. Nicely seen and presented. Swirling.
Hi Ola
I really like this interpretation where two realities - the surface and the “depth” - meet smoothly in one image. I think the timing of the shot was perfect, and I like the composition a lot.
On the other hand, I would have slightly lowered the saturation.
I’ve seen and admired shots like this with aquatic animals - but I can’t recall one where a plant is the subject. You did really well with the exposure and focus, Ola. Ideally I’d prefer some additional blue reflections up top to get a 50/50 balance, but probably that wasn’t possible. To my eye the saturation is OK, giving a contrast between top and bottom. What a good idea to revisit the plant every year! Maybe I’ll try that. I do think that of your 3 submissions with this plant this is easily my favorite. It is the most simple and well-composed to my eye.
I tried to take the image at the coreect moment giving the wanted mix of blue reflections and see through areas.
I will test to reduce the satiration s tad.
I tried to a achieve that but I also wanted the plant to stick up through the water as in the present image. I did not manage to match the two demands with each other.
