Rouge River Shore

Image Critiques Landscape Critiques
1

Slight Revision-brightening

Rouge-River-Side-rev
Rouge-River-Side-rev2650×1750 1.93 MB

Original

Rouge-River-Side.jpg
Rouge-River-Side.jpg2650×1750 1.92 MB

Critique Style Requested: Initial Reaction

Please share your immediate response to the image before reading the photographer’s intent (obscured text below) or other comments. The photographer seeks a genuinely unbiased first impression.

Questions to guide your feedback

Last summer was the first time in the past twenty years that my wife and I didn’t do our typical month-long canoe trip. The reasons were two-fold. First is the sad loss of the areas we like most to paddle in Eastern Manitoba and Western Ontario due to the radical increase in devastating, climate change-driven forest fires, and second is simply that we’re getting older to where the thought of carrying a canoe on my head for a mile or two at a time has begun to lose its appeal. That being said, we’re not done adventuring, but we’ll be shifting next season from a canoe to a pickup truck and drop-in camper. This past summer, in the interim, we decided to do a day of hiking each weekend somewhere within sixty miles of where we live in Toronto. This picture was taken on one of those hikes, well actually a paddle as it turned out.

I’ve lived in Toronto all my life and never knew that the world’s third largest national urban park is in this city. The Rouge River Valley runs sixty miles from north of Toronto down to Lake Ontario and is designated as a national urban park. In the summer, low water dictates that the river itself is only navigable by canoe for about five miles. Nonetheless, we decided to spend a day paddling down to the lake and then, because the river in summer is slow without much current, paddle back up. We put in pretty early and got some lovely early morning light on one of the banks which, for me, evokes the seductive mystery that I’m aiming for in this picture.

Other Information

Please leave your feedback before viewing the blurred information below, once you have replied, click to reveal the text and see if your assessment aligns with the photographer. Remember, this if for their benefit to learn what your unbiased reaction is.

Image Description

I’m pleased with the results of this picture. The light was perfect for the kind of unidirectional chiaroscuro lighting that I love best. It is the kind of side light that shows off the varied textures in the trunk and the foliage and, along with the shape shifting reflections, I hope offers the reader plenty of interest to draw and hold the eye. But, most important is the early morning mood that I have intended to convey - both a sense of mystery and a quiet, enticing calm. Those are my intentions for this photograph and would like feedback as to the degree to which I have succeeded and if, indeed, this is an image that holds your attention and draws you to linger and explore.

Technical Details

Screenshot 2025-02-15 at 1.38.50 PM
Screenshot 2025-02-15 at 1.38.50 PM532×324 45.9 KB

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:
2

I’ve canoed some but not to the level you have. That was my initial reaction. This is a canoer’s view of the world. Two summer ago we did a paddle down the Shenandoah River for 3 days and what stands out in my mind are the half submerged trees in various shapes along the banks. My son was pursuing smallmouth bass while I enjoyed the glide. It all ended rather abruptly when he lost his balance and overturned everything into the water. First came shock. Then came anger. And then I found the cool water refreshing. But yes, the overhanging branches and their dark mysteries is what this reminds me of.

PS. I like all that scattered muck on the surface.

1 Like
3

Kerry, Very nice moody image. The panoramic crop works well with the bright branches on the left and the fallen trees leading your eye to the mysterious darkness on the right. I think that the fallen trees are the thread that ties the image together and would like to see them dodged (lightened) just a bit to help with that left to right flow. A very successful image in that the first thing to pop into my head when I saw it was a line from a John Prine song where he describes being down by a river “Where the air smelled like snakes” . I get that sense of musty, damp, woody smell when I look on the scene.

2 Likes
4

Kerry, I love to see your world in a well composed image.

1 Like
5

I knew right away this was yours. My initial thought was, “take me there”. Thats exactly what you did with this well composed, thoughtfully processed image. Love your eye and the way you render what you see.

6

Yes, yes and YES! The original was good but the re-work, as minor as the changes are, really elevates this to the next level. I love it. Especially fond of the subtle patterns and swirlies (technical word) in the water, which also has some nice but quiet variations in color. Excellent work!

7

I’m sorry it has taken me so long to get back and thank you all for your feedback but life …
@Igor_Doncov - there is nothing quite so “awakening” as finding yourself suddenly and unexpectedly in the water. With all my experience, it’s happened to me more than once! I’m always delighted to hear that an image I’ve made evokes memories and past experiences.
@Paul_Dileanis - Thanks so much for your feedback , Paul. As you can see, I did dodge the tree a touch and agree that it does enhance the flow of the image. “… where the air smells like snakes” - in his laid back delivery John Prine was, let us say, an under-appreciated genius. “Angel from Montgomery” is, to me, one of the greatest songs ever written.
@Ben_van_der_Sande - as always, Ben, thanks for taking the time to look and share.
@Paul_Holdorf -there is no greater compliment, Paul, than being told that my photographs are recognizable as mine. Thanks for that. As for “take me there” - that is just the sort of response I would hope this image would elicit.
@Bret_Edge - Thanks so much, Bret. I was also captivated by the subtle colours and reflective distortions in the water partly due to the canoe itself which moved the water just enough to provide added interest.

8

This is so fantastic and is something I connected with immediately because of my own hours in a kayak paddling quiet waters. Shorelines are so amazing from this perspective and it’s fun and challenging to find small slices like this one. The way the trunk and the branch seem to be connected and flowing, yet separated is really nice to contemplate. As is the light and dark interplay. I can imagine Minks or Green Herons hiding from their unsuspecting prey in this scene.

I am sorry to hear that you and your wife will be giving up those paddling trips, but I understand the reasoning and am happy you’ve found a substitute and this river that is so close to you.

Now I’ve read your hidden comments I think my reaction is one you were going for. Plenty for me to enjoy and be slightly envious of. Paddling season is regrettably short up in the places we live so it’s even more precious when it comes.

1 Like
9

@Kris_Smith - thanks so much for your comments. It is always nice to hear that an image I’ve made brings up feelings and memories, especially fond ones. Be well and I hope you have opportunities to dip your paddle as spring is upon us.