The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic + Technical
About This Image
I found this small hill an ideal place for backlit popppies: natural shelter from the wind with a group of trees on the top and the sun right behind. Only nice clouds were missing but on the other hand they could distract attention from the poppies which were supposed to be the main object. I used HDR bracketing instead of a GND filter.
Feedback Requested
With or without nice clouds, I’d like a better sky. I hope it’s acceptable. I had some doubts about the greenery. Originally it was too warm and I changed the color balance to cool. The cool look pulled out some more blue as well.
What a beautiful field of poppies! I especially appreciate the fact that you retained so much detail and sharpness front to back. I guess no wind was a big plus here!
I think you actually have quite a complimentary sky and clouds; just enough clouds to keep the sky from being empty, yet not so much they distract from the scene. The only suggestion I have for a better sky might be to darken it slightly? I took a linear gradient and brought down the whites/highlights just a little. I also cloned out the little triangle of clouds in the URC, upper right corner. I may have warmed back the WB +2pts, but really it’s a matter of personal preference.
Just a couple small tweaks. Not sure if it’s an improvement or not. I think what you’ve shared works quite beautifully.
Very nice image Jacek. The backlit poppies show their colors nicely and their higher tones give this field a lot of life. I think you there is a fine intimate scene just right of center as well. That would be an option if you didn’t like the sky. One thing that puzzles me just a bit is how the sun star seems to have two centers. I don’t have much experience about that sort of thing but I was wondering if that occurs when the sunlight is split by a darker object.
I love your revised version with the slightly darker sky and warmer greens. You said you cooled it originally, but, to me, this gives me a warm, happy mood. The warmer greens add to that feeling.
@Bonnie_Lampley Thank you very much for your kind words. Original RAW before cooling was too warm, cooling helped the sky a bit and changed yellowish green to warm enough green.
