The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Respiration
Take a deep breath. Inhale long and slow. Now, exhale the same way, pushing all the air out. Now do it again. That is what this forest was doing. Steady rain had fallen for most of the night. In the morning light, all the trees were covered in glistening drops of water. They hung from every needle and leaf. As the Sun rose over the mountains to the east, the evaporative power of its rays mimicked respiration. Each time the Sun found its way through a hole in the clouds, it heated up the air just enough to encourage evaporation. Then in the cool mountain air, it condenses into fog. Exhale. Then clouds would build back and cover the Sun. Evaporation slows and fog dissipates. Inhale. At times the fog would rise to touch the sky in tendrils of wispy fingers. Then, a gentle breeze would reveal topography as the fog flowed through valleys and low lying areas. A shower of rain passed by followed by another moment of sunshine. As the warm light passed overhead, chasing the rain, a faint rainbow appeared. It vanished as quickly as it had appeared, so I panned back to the foggy forest. The fog was gone. I took another long deep breath and expressed my gratitude for being in this moment. Inhale. Exhale. Rest.
Specific Feedback
I hadn’t really even noticed it until seeing the smaller thumbnail, which darkens and saturates things. I added a vignette here to create more depth, but maybe I went too far? It definitely helps to enlarge it. In general, what do you think of images like this with no specific subject?
Technical Details
Nikon D850
Nikkor 70-300 3.5-5.6
ISO 64, f/6.3, 1/80th, 220 mm
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
Emotional Impact and Mood:
Composition:
Balance and Visual Weight:
Depth and Dimension:
Color:
Lighting:
Processing:
Technical:
Hi Paul,
This is moody and mysterious and definitely my kind of image. I am also loving the layering with the trees as they just fade away into the BG fog. While I quite like this as is I could see upping the exposure just a little without losing the drama and mood. I also very much enjoyed your description as it put me right there as the scene unfolded. As for your question about no specific subject; I am enjoying twin subjects; the trees and the atmospherics. Beautifully done.
I think your image of the breathing trees is wonderful, Paul. I don’t think you need the vignette as the image is dark enough. If mine I might consider playing with the highlights in the fog to add some depth to that element. Thanks for the write up too.
I really like your image and your vision. Vignette works fine in my opinion. Being in the moment and appreciate the beauty. Yes !!! you captured that…
Paul, I would say that you have a well defined subject…the trees and weather on the side of a mountain. I’m thoroughly enjoying how the two “lines” of trees angle up the mountain and how much depth you’ve got with the distant trees barely peeking through. I spend hours watching this happen across the valley from our MT home on cool rainy mornings.
Hi Paul, your image makes me feel like standing in the middle of the scene, breathing the fresh air - even without reading the title. Your composition and processing is spot on to my eye. Thanks for sharing.
Peter
Looking at this makes me feel like I need to take a deep breath in and out. It has a refreshing feel to it. It must have been a wonderful experience seeing the forest breath like that.
Definitely a subject here!! And a gorgeous one! I think the vignette adds to the mysterious feeling. I’m wondering about some playing with the contrast – many ways to go with one this nice!
You nailed the subject, the wonderful mist off the trees, so I don’t worry about that at all.
Reading the comments above about the exposure, highlights, contrast, etc., I pulled it into Photoshop to play with. I think they are on to something there and personally prefer it opened up a bit more.
I’m way late to the party here, Paul but I had to let you know how much I am enjoying the images, the reworks and best of all, the story behind the image. BRAVO!!! Ok, back to. the images.
I love them if they tell a story which this image does in spades. Also, they tend to let the eye roam freely without hinderance or barriers.
The one thing I do not like about the bottom image is the vignette. The URC and the ULC are way too dark and there is not a smooth gradient, grabbing the eye. The revision is great at the top of the post. That might even be the original post, not sure.
However, the one that draws me in the most is the black and white. I’m a sucker for Black and White anyway but the drama and the mood you’ve captured is greatly enhanced with the black and white version. I would smooth the gradient of the vignette though. Super image and super write up, Paul.
