The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I tried capturing the Sneffels range to display its towering peak over the aspen trees.
Specific Feedback
I transformed the image more than I usually do. The wide angle of the drone created a small range when compared to the Aspen Trees. I tried to correct that to put emphasis on the Mountain range. Did I go overboard?
Im always unsure if I am over using the dodge and burn tools. Specifically on the Sneffels Mountain range. Did I add too much light on the Sneffels range.
Is there any other area that I created too much dodge/burn?
Background: I have been shooting landscape on and off for 5 years. I have been self taught in Photoshop for those 5 years. This is the first image I have ever posted for feedback.
Technical Details
24mm. Shot with a Mavic 3 drone.
6 image panorama merge.
1/180 shutter
ISO 100
2.8 aperture
Focus Stacked
Transform tools used to put emphasis on Mt. Sneffels.
Dodge/Burn Tools used to Bring out details in the image.
Layer blending to create color contrast within the Aspen Leaves.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Welcome to NPN, @Dan_Wittenburg. This is one helluva first post! Your processing looks spot on, at least to my eyes. I’m not usually a fan of stretching peaks to make them more prominent but it doesn’t bother me in this image. I think you did so with restraint and that prevented it from looking cartoonish. Your sky is incredible, colors are gorgeous. I do wish that empty LLH corner were filled with yellow aspens but that’s certainly not something that is a big concern. This is really nice and I look forward to seeing more of you work in the forums. I hope you’ll consider taking some time to view other posts and perhaps leave a comment or two. I think you’ll have some valuable insight to share!
Dan, welcome to NPN. This is an excellent first post, with peak color in the Aspens and an inviting sky. I prefer the second view as the colors feel more natural, there’s a bit less contrast and the distant Aspens on the left help lead my eyes to the mountains.
Hey, I appreciate the Kind comments. I got extremely lucky with the sky although I had the time to wait for storm weather to roll in. I wanted a different perspective of the mountain range so I used the drone to find a comp. I will be commenting on others posts soon when my availability allows me to do so.
Thank you for the insight and I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
The second image is the Raw image. Im glad to hear that image can work as its not processed aside from bringing up the darker end of the photo to get a base image.
Hello Dan. Welcome to NPN. Judging by your first post, really looking to see more images from you.
I love your processing. You’ve really made those yellows pop and I think you did an excellent job on transforming the mountain range. But to be totally honest I’m not quite sold on all the gaps between the trees. I wasn’t there so don’t know if you could have done anything different. Still very nice image.
Hi Dan,
First off welcome to NPN! This is a wonderful first post. The clouds fanning out across the sky adds some nice drama to this autumn landscape and the FG aspens look to be at peak color. Your processing of this scene looks spot on and very natural IMO. The only thing that bothers me a little is the open areas in the aspen grove. If you do not mind cropping a little bit you could minimize those areas. I hope you do not mind, but here is a rework with what I was thinking.Just my opinion of course. Looking forward to seeing more of your work as well as your comments on other photographer’s work.
Welcome to NPN! What a grand and beautiful first post!
Personally, I don’t think so. Of course it’s often a fine line - but where I draw that line is with just the simple question, Is this reasonable and does this represent what folks would see if they were standing there… BUT, all bets are off really with drone images, becuase the viewer “can’t stand there”, which actually gives the photographer more leeway in making those transformation decisions.
The light is gorgeous and no, I don’t think you went to far with the dodging and burning. In fact, your processing is excellent and well balanced.
Beautiful image. No additional suggestions that haven’t been covered.
Welcome aboard! Looking forward to more images and your participation in the galleries and forums!
Hey thanks for the reply! I was fighting to compose the shot. I didn’t scout the location with a drone unfortunately prior
To me showing up for sunset. So it was a mad dash for me to settle on a composition. I’m bet it could be composed better given another attempt!
Hey thanks for taking the time to show
Me this new perspective. I’ll give the new crop a shot. I do not mind that you cropped it for me. It’s helpful.
I like the warmer hues and unusually the stronger colour saturation of the processed image but I would probably try to balance the polarised darkening of the blue sky in the top left corner to more closer match the right side sky. really lovely shot though, I am jealous of your aspen trees.
Wow, what a scene; excellent. I really need to get a drone and start playing with it.
I think the dodging and burning look good to my eye. As for the transform, I have no idea what reality looks like there. However, if I change the perspective a little and give it a slight clockwise rotation it looks a little more natural to my eye.
