The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
More critter tracks from my snowshoe trek a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been so lazy and uninspired for photography lately that when I went out I decided to find a new framework for seeking and taking photos of the winter woodland. The basis was to find the things that only winter provides in nature and to seek out scenes and objects I’ve not studied before. New perspectives and arrangements that might not follow conventional rules of framing or composition also came to mind and that’s how this image came together.
Critter tracks are abundant in winter and really fun to explore. Over the years I’ve observed that many critters prefer to use logs as little highways to get from one place to another. It’s especially fun if only one has used it and the tracks are clear as they are here. Then there is the geometry of the sapling and the shadows that I thought was kind of cool. It’s definitely not something I’ve framed up this way before and I felt conspicuously arty when trying different compositions. Almost self-consciously so because it’s not something I strive for when I shoot. Mostly I’m looking to explore and express natural beauty, not imposing specific styles or deliberate themes.
Specific Feedback
Anyway…jeez that was rambling. Does it work? Is it too arty? Too blank? Too weird? One concern I have is that the tracks and the tree are too far apart and are at the edges of the frame. Then I just decided to go with it and it appeals to me in a weird way.
Lr for most of the processing including a bit of a crop and a boost in highlights, whites and exposure. Pulled the darks down and added some texture. Pulled the blue down in the HSL panel. Ps to use Luminosity masking to further improve the shadows.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Great eye in seeing this as well as framing; love this! Kudos to you for self-motivating with this “critter tracks” project.
I don’t think the tracks and tree are too far apart. I can’t really explain why, but this works beautifully as captured and presented. I’m thinking perhaps it must be the diagonal shadows keeping those other 2 elements connected.
The only thing I wonder about is the darkness of the shadows. Was the light overcast and diffused? I suppose in brighter light the shadows would be darker? This is more of an observation than a nitpick. Otherwise, thuroughly enjoying this.
Thanks @Lon_Overacker - I appreciate the input and the reaction. The shadows look about right for what I recall of the day - sort of milky clouds that diffused the light somewhat, but it was still pretty bright and direct. I wanted it to be soft, but not too flat. I’m glad you find that it has some harmony and interest. It was fun to find.
Hi Kris,
I am enjoying the lines and the way they are laid out in this wintertime scene. IMO everything is perfectly placed within the frame and like the way you tied the tree and animal tracks together with the diagonal lines of the shadows. The snow looks perfectly exposed and I am very much enjoying the lovely textures.Very nicely done; it looks like you are off to a great start with your project.
Living in NH for 17 years made me appreciate the photographic opportunity presented by freshly fallen snow - especially for this kind of intimate landscape. There’s elegance in simplicity, which isn’t always easy to spot. Great eye to have seen this and compose it so well!
Thanks @Ed_Lowe - your assessment eases my mind more about the composition and framing. It feels like bucking a trend, but in a good way. Snow texture and exposure can be a bit fiddly, but I’ve had a lot of practice.
And thanks @Jim_Erhardt, too. You were responding when I was composing the above. I’m a NH native now transplanted to WI and still out enjoying winters and the special things it brings like tracks. Lately I’ve been in a photographic slump and working to bring some fresh perspective to my work and hopefully heading in the right direction like our little friend who left the tracks.
This is SO cool – and I’m not trying to be cute with words. It’s different and compelling. The lines are unusual and hold my attention. The tree shadows tie the tracks and the tree together. The subtle shading in both upper corners (really all the way down the right side) shows the undulating surface. And it is quite a story!
I hope you’re on a roll here! Look forward to seeing more!
Thanks @Diane_Miller - glad it’s not too out there and strange. Funny, I did some work over on the right with the TK9 panel and some careful masking. Glad it worked. My enthusiasm is coming back and I’m editing photos today - some of them from December that never saw the light of … my computer screen? LOL.
Had some Michter’s bourbon and got through a surprising amount of images. The malaise dragged through not just getting out to take pics, but processing them, too and I was surprised and some good ones in there that I just completely dismissed. Emotions are so complicated.
