What changed: I added canvas on the left side. I also added a radial gradient over the water drop ripples and reduced the contrast by increasing the shadows.
Added after receiving feedback from the community.
Please share your first response before reading the hidden notes below. The photographer is looking for an unbiased initial impression.
Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive
Questions for Viewers
I’d like to know where you eye goes first and how it moves through the image.
About This Image
This image was taken on a rainy morning and the mare’s tail reflection caught my eye. I handheld the shot as I did not have my tripod set up and the rain was letting up.
Technical Details
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Focal length: 500mm
Shutter speed: 1/640s
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO: 2500
Feedback Requested
Feedback on the composition but open to any input.
Gary, photographing quiet water when it’s raining is a favorite activity of mine. In this case, it’s about even whether I look at the ripples or the mare’s tails first. Both items are set off well by the minimalist, light blue water surface. If there was nothing to the left, I would suggest shifting the frame left, to move the mare’s tails towards the lower left corner. That makes the viewing more dynamic. Here’s a cropped version of what you’ve posted that does much of the same thing.
I am definitely attracted to the two plants, mare’s tails first, next if found myself trying to focus on the small possibly stones surrounding the plants and finally I checked out the circular ripples. I really like the contrast of the green plant and the light green water as well as the perfectly calm, ripple free water. Well done!
Bill, it’s a striking image, I like it very much. I’m not much of an expert in this field but what strikes me is a minimalist image of objects of a completely different nature. Just the group of plants and their reflections would be sth very common, adding the ripples made it unusual or even bold, I would say, but I’m not an expert. It’s only my personal impression.
Those two objects are so strong that my eyes are trying to look at them at the same time. Obviously the plants are the main object, they just need enhancement. I like the crop suggested by @Mark_Seaver because it’s placing the main object in the strong point of the composition, so there is no doubt that I look at the plants first. Cropping the image makes them relatively bigger also.
Bill: A simple but evocative scene and the capture is close for me. I do look at the mare’s tails first and then travel to the ripples and get stuck there. Having them touch the edge of the frame and being oh so slightly cut off is a distraction and feel like a mistake. I like @Mark_Seaver crop to a point but it still leaves the ripples in a bad spot for me. If you crop from the right and add canvas on the left I think it makes this more effective. Just my 2¢ but here’s my suggestion. >=))>
Hi Bill,
This image has a lovely stillness to it. I can almost hear the rain tapping the water. When I first look at the image, I land on the green shoots sticking up, and then my eyes go to the upper left corner with the rings from raindrops, and like Bill Fach, I get kind of stuck there because of the rings touching the edge.
Sometimes I like it when elements expand beyond the frame. It gives us a sense that the element goes on forever. But in this case, it feels a little awkward. Mark’s crop helps by bringing all of the edges closer to the elements, thereby making that closeness feel more intentional. But I think I like Bill Fach’s approach of adding canvas. I’m not sure whether you have that ability with the programs you use (I use LR, and I don’t think I can do that, though I sometimes clone and move elements).
Of course, this all depends on your comfort with making those kinds of changes. It’s a lovely scene regardless, and I would be proud to have the original version. If you play with it more, I hope you’ll share it here for us to enjoy.
ML
My eye definitely travels to the mare’s tails first. Then moves up to the ripples from the water. I really like this image as is, although I think Bill’s crop and canvas addition adds to it. Regardless, it is very effective as is.
I do like this, especially the revised version. It has the feel of something in a Japanese garden, where the small plants could also be huge trees and the drops clouds. It’s very peaceful and relaxing. Well done!
Lovely restful scene. Love your revised crop, and that you have added a little more space at the top so there is a symmetry between the placement in the ULC and BRC
I meant to comment on this one earlier, but I spent 3 days doing trail building for one of our National Scenic trails and I was just beat when I got home.
Excellent shot and especially the revision you put where the two groups of three work well together in the space and because of the contrasting nature of their shapes and orientations. That reflection is darn perfect and the extra bits of vegetation grounds the plants really well. The ripples intrigue me as I wonder what made them (probably insects, but who knows) and I think the simple color palette is harmonious in the way that it focuses our attention. Bravo.
I really like the simplicity of this image and the high key element, Bill. My eye definitely goes to the mares’ tail and then the rings. I prefer the composition of the revision as it eliminates negative space on the right and seems to draw me in more . Well seen and photographed.
Oh my, this is just a fantasic and unique image! Love this!
Pretty clearly, my eye goes right to the stand of vegetation (sorry, I’m not familiar with Mare’s Tale…) and then immediately go to look at the rings. the rings actually are the biggest clue this is water! ok, there’s the reflection up front, but so glassy smooth it really took the rings to complete the story for me.
I think our original works beautifully, but the revision really solidifies the composition. I have no nits or other suggestions. Just wonderful!
