Reaching Upward

Image Critiques
1

2025-10-05 12-18-20 (C,S4) end copy.jpg
2025-10-05 12-18-20 (C,S4) end copy.jpg1307×1750 967 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

This one’s been kicking around in my back pocket for a while, and a cold over the weekend gave me the excuse I needed to hang around home and catch up on a couple of images.

This was a patch of ferns along the river downstream from Abiqua Falls when @David_Haynes, @Steve_Kennedy, and I visited in June of last year. I love ferns, and should really photograph them more, and this frond with youthful potential surrounded by fully opened fronds intrigued me.

Specific Feedback

I’ve both cropped and processed this to try and lead the eye to the immature fern, without losing too much of the intrigue of the lower fronds. Did I pull that off?

The scene was in shade, deep green and quite saturated. I’ve ridden that horse, maybe too hard. Would you recommend less saturation?

As always, all thoughts are appreciated.

Technical Details

NIKON Z 7II
NIKKOR Z 24-200 f/4-6.3 VR at 200.0 mm
1/40 sec. at f/16.0 and ISO 1600
20 images stacked for depth-of-field using Helicon Focus

Critique Template

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

2 Likes
2

The greens look good to me. Green is my favorite color to saturate so I may not be best to comment on it.

I would do a vignette on just the bottom edge of the frame and include both corners. That should draw attention upwards. Hopefully.

Or you could 2 radial tonal filter: the first , a vertical on the emerging fern and the second would be a horizontal on the fern below.

1 Like
3

John, this works wonderfully as presented. You could try the suggestions made by @Igor_Doncov just for grins. The green looks perfect to me, and the detail is very nice, indeed.
-P

1 Like
4

John, for me seeing ANYthing this green is a real eye draw as there is nothing so lush in the areas I photograph. I really like that large center stalked fern and top circular bud or spawning fern. The saturation looks fine for my tastes… :+1: :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

1 Like
5

Having seen PNW ferns in this type of light, and knowing just how intensely saturated they can naturally be, this looks very normal to me. I don’t think many photographers would notice this scene, much less be able to compose a compelling image, but you’ve succeeded. I imagine this one would really sing as a large print that would allow the eye to explore all the details and fine textures.

1 Like
6

Hi John,
You may have rode that horse, but I have to say that you rode it well. :laughing: The lighting is gorgeous and brings the attention on that solitary fern rising out of the pack and for my tastes the greens of the ferns look just fine. When I opened up the large version I was greeted with all those lovely textures and details. Beautifully done!

7

John, the greens look right on to me. If you really want to emphasize the uncurling leaf, I’d suggest cropping most of that lowest leaf horizontal leaf. I do like the pairing of those sideways leaves and the youngster.