The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
On a trip up into Oregon in May, we stopped by the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds. Although everyone and their brother has photographed from the main overlook, I (once again) had to do it. The day was overcast and flowers were blooming. I’d never been here in the spring, so it was a treat to see the blooms.
Specific Feedback
What always strikes me here is the gracefulness of the curved gullies and the geometric layering of the foreground hills against the background. Also, the softness of the hills is quite appealing. So I usually aim for soft gracefulness in images from here. Do you get that impression? I did some targeted dodging/burning to bring out a bit of contrast, but didn’t want to overdo it because that ruins the softness.
Technical Details
Unusually, I did put the camera on the tripod for this. No polarizer. Processed in ACR and PS for color temperature and targeted dodging/burning.
Bonnie: I have a long ongoing love affair with the Oregon coast but have done very little exploration of the eastern part of the state. Every image I see from the painted hills makes me want to get there and yours is especially pleasing. Marvelous color palette and a great use of your long lens to extract this comp. >=))>
Wonderful!! The soft and high-key light works very well here to flatten the subject and let the tonal variations make a very lovely pattern. No suggestions!!
I like the direction you took this image in. Most of the images I’ve seen from the Painted Hills are strongly saturated and I feel your image is a very nice and refreshing change from all of that. Your image feels softer and quieter while still showing what makes this area so unique and interesting. Beautiful work!
Bonnie, this one of the nicest images I have seen of the Painted Hills. The subtle color, softer contrast and textures really work here. The large version is a must see.
Eastern/northeastern Oregon is definitely worth the trip. The landscapes are quite beautiful, although not in the “grand landscape” mode of the Sierras or Rockies. That being said, there are big mountains up that way - the Wallowa Mts. are gorgeous.
I’d never really looked at a lot of other pix from this area, and you’re right - most are quite saturated.
What a wonderful composition you made here. I love how the flowers are only growing in the gullies, that is so cool. My first thought was that the hills looked like a a giant foot with each toe delineated by the flowers in the gullies, but that thought faded in to abstraction. I like the overall cool tone treatment and subdued colors, as it is refreshing to see these hills without so much saturation. I think it makes the image more enjoyable.
Bonnie, Your description of how you saw this image, is a lesson in seeing by itself. I love the softness; and the texture, horizontal lines, blue in the foreground and touch of yellow that defines the curved gullies. It takes looking at the image a while and then re-looking to fully appreciate the abstract you have created.
Bonnie, this is a great abstract. The subtle colors look great and you’ve included a fine set of angles in the ridges and crevices. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the larger version and found the flowers filling the vertical crevices, since I was anticipating that this was a small view.
This is outstanding! I’ve never been (but on my list) and I’d be hard pressed to argue Preston’s comment!
It’s rare that I can’t find anything to offer for improvement or nits. I think you struck a perfect balance between the partial foreground hill and the bg. Just a wonderful image to explore. The flower lined gullies are wonderful highlights to the scene.
Your goal of “soft gracefulness” comes through beautifully - yet at the same time, the details allow for some great exploring edge to edge, corner to corner.
I wish we had something like this to work with, just a bit jealous. I really think you’ve made the best of the shapes and delicate hues with in a great larger scale intimate study. Love it.
This may be an iconic place and even an iconic composition, but for me it’s unique because I don’t recall ever seeing an image like this one (just a bad memory maybe? Hmmm. Lol).
I really like the softness and the color is great.
As @Tom_Nevesely mentioned, it’s not the typical over-saturated look that we all so very often see from those trying to embellish nature.
I’ve read where spring rains have an influence on the overall colors, so when you mentioned this being your first time here in spring made me think of what I had read about the colors.
This also serves as a reminder of the plans my wife and I have made for this coming spring where we plan to travel out west to the Grand Canyon, and then northwest to Oregon and Washington state.
