The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I came upon this scene while hiking in a remote area in Tasmania recently. Upon passing by the mountain face, I was struck by the imposing presence of the mountain face, as well as the subtle brown, green and grey tones that were present throughout the area. I attempted to compose the scene to primarily focus on the presence of the mountain, while also including its surrounding area to capture the subtle colors of the area. The subject was photographed around midday in an area that would have been very difficult to revisit at a time where the light was not as harsh, although I feel like the midday light and light cloud cover worked well to convey the colors I was hoping for.
Specific Feedback
I would appreciate all feedback on the image, including the aesthetic qualities of the image, especially the composition- if the mountain feels too restricted and if the forest, lake and pineapple grass provide intrigue to the scene.
Very cool scene with a lot of texture and character. The line of trees across the middle is intriguing and I wish this was in a landscape orientation so I could see more of them. Am torn about the foreground element - it seems awkwardly placed and competes for attention with your main subject. Do you have other views of this without that included?
Hi Kristen, thank you for the feedback! I do see what you mean about it competing with the mountain. Here are some more images of the same scene, both landscape and with the foreground cropped out
To my eye either of those looks better, but the landscape really shows the terrain well. Tough light, but with some deft processing it could be pretty interesting.
I’m not sure where to begin with this but it seems like your original vertical composition is the one that you were attracted to from the start (which is probably why you chose to post that one for review).
I like the landscape orientation and the vertical without the Pineapple grass as well but for me, the original vertical seemed to have the most interest and the most impact with the Pineapple grass as well as providing a pleasing frame around that specific section of the mountain where the slope of the top is so interesting.
Of course the main thing here is helping you to make your favorite version more appealing (assuming your original posted image is your favorite).
The Pineapple grass is competing to a degree and the highlights in the water are somewhat overpowering while the trees and the mountain seem to be slightly less dominant due to their brightness, saturation and contrast.
I can’t help but feel that a little selective processing might help to create a nice visual flow from the Pineapple grass to the shoreline on the other side and on up to the top of the mountain.
I wanted to use text alone to explain my thoughts but it seemed much easier to convey my thoughts with an example edit for you to consider. Just remember this is just my opinion which means it’s completely subjective. It’s your vision, your experience an your image.
To reduce the highlights in the water (this is to digitally simulate using a CPL filter on the lens), I added a “Solid Color Fill Layer” and Mask in Ps, then changed the blend mode to “Pin Light”, then I opened up the blend window and made some further adjustments using “Blend If = Gray” and the “Underlying Layer” sliders. The rest is just making color and underlying slider adjustments until it looked right to me (your choice of adjustments are the ones that matter, this is only for demonstration purposes).
I used a couple of linear gradient masks over the trees, the mountain, the Pineapple grass, etc., etc., with various adjustment layers like exposure, selective color, etc… I’ll include a screen shot of the layers to help make what I used a bit more clear.
The Group Blend Mode is “Pass Through” with layers inside the group set to “Pin Light”.
Oh yeah, I did use “Content Aware Fill” to add just a bit more sky above the mountain top but it appears that you might have enough in the original to add a bit more sky without having to use content aware fill (if you choose to add more sky).
All of this information may not be needed if you decide that you don’t like the edits (and it’s perfectly OK if you don’t)
If you would like more detailed information on what I did, just let me know, I can even share the PSD file so you can takeover the editing where I left it (if you want, and I won’t delete it until I know you don’t want it or need it).
Anyway, I hope this helps you in some way!
Very nice image BTW, I am really intrigued by the colors, textures and shapes in all of it including the Pineapple grass and the water, the exposure is spot on all the way through with the exception of the highlights on the water
I’d love to visit Tasmania someday, it probably won’t happen but I would like think I might make it there someday.
Hi Merv, first of all, thank you very much for taking the time to provide me with such detailed feedback! You are correct in assuming that the vertical composition is my favorite, although I will have to reconsider the landscape orientation as I was quick to dismiss it initially.
I myself am not very familiar with using Ps although its probably about time I learn. Your edits look terrific, and I think they do a great job at refining what I am trying to present through the image. I would really appreciate you sharing the PSD file I am a big fan of how you reduced the highlights in the water, it makes the image feel much more seamless, as the pineapple grass seems more natural in the lake without the jarring highlights separating it from the mountain. As such, it feels like the elements are working well together without competing for attention. Your gradient masks work to great effect as well.
I really like your edits on the original and they definitely help achieve what I set out to do with the photo, so thank you once again for that! I’m going to have to give Ps another go.
Hopefully you do make it Tasmania! It’s a truly beautiful part of the world and a landscape photographers’ paradise
