Redwood Forest Groundscape


Original uncropped, unedited file

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

An intimate scene of ferns, clover and blooming rhododendron in the redwood forest drew my eye. I like going back to old image files sitting on my hard drive from years ago, especially when I’m feeling nostalgic for a particular place; this is from 2019 as I haven’t been up to visit the redwoods this year.

Specific Feedback

Crop and composition

Technical Details

Canon 5D Mark IV, ISO 100, 35mm, f/18, 3 seconds


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1 Like

This is simply delicious. Excellent move on the crop. Like the processing also. I like that you’ve kept the shadows quite dark. Really makes everything else pop. It’s a shame there weren’t a few more flowers on the right, but nothing you could do about that. The only suggestion I have is to clone out the bright object almost half way up on the right edge.

1 Like

It would have been interesting to see this with a less radical crop. An image that keeps all of the bottom but reduces some of the top. In my opinion the flowers near the top feel a bit cramped. The colors are wonderful.

1 Like

The color and lighting accents you developed are beautiful! I really like how the vegetation forms an oval, it reminds me of a lei in a distant way.

I see @Igor_Doncov’s point. Maybe just a little more room at the top?

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Hi Beth,
I like how the ferns point at the bottom; the curve of the rotodendrons; the nice colors; and how you handled the lighting(!) Feels a little tight at the top (around the rotodendron) to me also. The left side does not give me that similar feel even though the spacing is similar. Maybe because of the curve through the rotodendrons(?)
Nice work! :slight_smile:

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Hi Beth, I like this a lot. I’ve tried to catch the Redwoods with blooming Rhododendrons but no luck.

I think the lighting you’ve applied is terrific as it brings the eye to the most important details. Nicely done.

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That is a great suggestion, Michael, thank you so much!

Sandy, that would be wonderful!! Lucky you to live in such a beautiful area with diverse photographic subjects! I will definitely keep that in mind for rhododendron season next year :smiley:

Hi Beth, This is just lovely. I’m fortunate to have been in the Redwoods in late May with the rhodies in bloom! That being said, it is not easy to get such a lovely composition! I particularly like the lighting on the leaves. Re: cropping, I agree I would like a little more space at the top. The flowers seem to follow a path and then it stops rather suddenly. Just a little more space would add to this image. I need to dive back into my images now! Thanks for the inspiration!

Beth! This is OUTSTANDING! It’s kind of rare that an intimate landscape like this has such an immediate impact but yours certainly did. The tones, the light, the colors, the contrast, your expert composition. Nothing but praise for this one. I bet it would absolutely fill a room with joy and wonder if printed large and hung on a wall.