Outgoing Tide

Image Critiques Macro/Close-up Critiques
1

PurpleGreenGoniopora.jpg
PurpleGreenGoniopora.jpg2000×1275 901 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

Imagine that you are scuba diving at a depth of 50 feet around a coral reef near Indonesia. Or if you prefer, my basement reef tank! I decided to use the light provided by an Orphek LED light to capture the colors that are fluorescing from the coral’s tissue. I waited for the powerheads to push the polyps from left to right and took about 50 shots before picking a single one for editing. I had to push the white balance up to 50,000 with tint at -18. Further adjustments were made to bump up the purples and greens.

Specific Feedback

This is a very loose composition with about 4 polyps in very tight focus. How does this work for you?

Technical Details

Z9 60mm f2.8 Micro (1/100 sec at f18, ISO 5000) White balance, DeNoise, Levels, Curves, saturation increase of greens and purples, Crop for comp, burn tool, Brightness reduction, bump up in Contrast. Enjoy!!

Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
Emotional Impact and Mood:
Composition:
Balance and Visual Weight:
Depth and Dimension:
Color:
Lighting:
Processing:
Technical:

2

Oh wow, Jim, this is really neat. For one who doesn’t even swim or have a aquarium, I really am enjoying this. I like that you caught it with the left to right position. Excellent job!

3

Excellent work, Jim. Sounds like a suitable occupation for cold weather. I really like the left-right flow in the image and all your work in lighting and processing paid off.

4

That looks very interesting. Colors, movement, and depth: everything is very harmonious and convincing. What an extraordinary hobby to keep a basement reef tank.

5

Jim, you’ve got a good sense of motion and fine colors here. Saltwater tanks require such dedication. You’ve done well both with the tank and with this photo.

6

Very cool! I think it might be interesting to flip it 90 degrees counter-clockwise, so the movement is upward vs. horizontal/down. Maybe more energetic that way.