Snow on Wheeler Pond

Reworked version with more foreground as per feedback:

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

Does this composition invite your attention? If so, dose your eye land on a certain element or does it keep looking for a place to land?

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

This is a B&W conversion of a nearly full frame photo - only a small amount featureless snow was cropped from the bottom.

I find the empty space in the center works to push my eye to the edges of the photo where there’s something to study on all four sides. But ultimately, I find myself “stepping back” to take in the entire scene, and to study the symmetrical composition and all the elements it contains.

Technical Details

Canon Powershot G11, handheld
f/5.6 @ 1/80, ISO 100
Processed in LRC

Specific Feedback

Feedback on overall composition and conversion to B&W is appreciated.

Thanks for taking a look and sharing your thoughts!


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:
1 Like

Initially, my eye is drawn into the scene to the snow covered trees in in the BG, because of the way you’ve framed the shot with the trees in the FG. And then my eyes are free to explore the rest of the image. Nice, inviting shot.

It does, sweeping my eye to the snow covered branches of those couple of trees in the back.

I like the way the framing does that, but wonder if the effect would be stronger with that tree at the left cropped off?

Hi Jim,
This is a lovely wintertime scene. I like the opening in the FG trees as it directs my eye into the clearing toward that lovely snow covered tree in the BG. I also think that the B&W conversion looks great as well. My only suggestion would be to add a little canvas on the bottom as it looks a little tight IMO. There is something about freshly fallen snow that seems to cleanse the soul. Beautifully done!

You’ve achieved terrific natural framing with the two trees on either side of this image, Jim! My eye is immediately drawn to the background tree in the center of the frame for it’s symmetry and it’s delicate branches with snow on them. I am equally drawn to the two very dark trees on the left and the and the right of the foreground framing. You ask if my keeps looking for a place to land and I would definitely say yes to that. A great image invites the viewer inside but it also lets the viewer wander around looking for interesting things that catch the eye. I love the little foreground bush dead center in the foreground. It’s as important in this composition as your framing trees and the background tree dead center. The only thing I might add if you have it is some more canvas on the bottom of the image. It seems a little bit light like the weight of this image doesn’t have enough bottom to sit on balance wise if that makes sense.

I think this is an exceptional image naturally framed with lots for the eye to explore.

Thanks to all for your feedback, it’s very much appreciated!

I have posted a revised version above with more foreground and it indeed feels more balanced.

1 Like

You nailed it with the rework Jim!

1 Like

Jim, I prefer the less foreground version, as it emphasizes the snowy trees on the far side. I do wonder how cropping to 8.5 x 11 (removing the 2nd tree on both sides would look? Although the more I look, the better I like the current framing.

1 Like

My first impression is that I’m seeing a stage. The trees on the sides are the curtains and the trees in the back is the backdrop. Extending the bottom reduces that feeling however. I find that looking at the stage without performers to be quite interesting. The stage itself as a subject. The revised version is better though.

1 Like

You nailed the revision. Significantly better balance.

1 Like