Critique Style Requested: In-depth
The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
The FG water is blown out and distracting.
Creative direction
I intend to print this image on a heavy, smooth matte paper to enhance the delicate light on the FG branches on the left and the delicate trees above the sea stack. In the camera, I saw a Japanese water color and I see it in the image, too.
Specific Feedback
I’m looking for aesthetic and technical feedback.
Technical Details
Sony 24 - 105 lens at 105mm; 1/800 f/13 ISO 5000. Processed in Lightroom with noise reduction in Topaz.
Description
A rainy afternoon near Olympic National Park. I hiked two miles along a rocky beach and came across this unique sea stack. The light was too flat and the rain too hard, but I set up anyway. My luck being what it is, the rain stopped and a tiny bit of sun peaked through to catch the FG branches. AND there is a bald eagle in the tree over my head.
This looks so familiar. I think I tried to climb down from the road to get this same shot but couldn’t do it safely. These stacks are wonderful to behold. I thought b&w would work as well.
Hi Matt, very intriguing scene. Love seeing the stand alone outcropping amidst the other environmental elements. Well done.
I noticed the large flying black bird. Was this included as another point of interest?
The bird was an accident, actually.
Hi Matt,
Wow, what a fantastic scene. I think you did well with it considering the conditions. If it were mine, I would keep going back in different light, maybe even slightly less of a low tide? You need the low tide to show the “pedestal” of this sea stack, but some additional crashing wave action might be nice too.
I have not been to this location, and I don’t know what the constraints might be for working the scene. If it is possible to move a little to the left, and as a result, get more separation between the sea stack and the bank at the shore, that would really make this one shine. Or shooting it from the other side with open ocean behind it?
None of this is really a critique of the image, just some thoughts for next time. If this is not terribly far from home, I would visit monthly! Check tide tables. Look at sunset and sunrise angles and times.
ML
Thanks for the feedback. If only I could have worked the scene!! At low tide I was barely able to navigate these wet basketball sized rocks; not much opportunity for movement. I’d love to get back there, but it isn’t my neighborhood. I appricate you looking at my image! Matt
Thanks for looking and commenting! I thought of B&W, but the colors and tones are so subtle that it is almost B&W as it is! Matt
