The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
We have a large lavendar plant blooming in our garden. Behind it is a group of Pinkladies blossoms. I tried several ICM motions to see if I could get something interesting looking through the lavendar stems. I liked the blend of colors with some definition of the lavendar.
Specific Feedback
My concerns: Is the image too dark? Does the diagonal cured stem help or detract? Overall reactions.
Technical Details
ISO 64, 70mm, f/22, 1/6 sec
Olympus 12-100 lens
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I’m not the best person to ask regarding darkness. I tend to be dark as well, so much so that I have my screen brightness turned down three ticks to trick myself.
Personally, I like the curved stem cutting across the frame. It adds energy and interest. I do think a tiny crop off the top and left would simplify the composition and bring that curve more into composition as an intentional element.
Here’s an example just doing a screen grab of the image.
I don’t think it is too dark Ann Louise. It has such beautiful pinks and blues and greens. The little diagonal stem is not detracting at all, and as @Marylynne_Diggs has suggested, it seems to add to the overall composition if you apply a slight crop on top.
Hi Ann,
what a beautiful abstract image. I love the abstract effect of the picture and that you can still recognize the shape of the lavender at the same time. The painterly look is great.
I also like the colors and the brightness of your edit.
But when I think of fresh spring colors, then perhaps the picture could be brightened up a little. The greens could handle a bit more punch.
I just messed with the Targeted Adjumstment Tool of the Color Mixer in Camera Raw (Saturation and Luminance) and added some contrast selectively afterwards.
I never seriously tried ICM myself. But whenever I see pictures like yours, I always say to myself that I absolutely have to try it.
It’s fun to work on.
Jens, thank you for taking the time to work on my photo and explain how you did it. The colors are brighter and do look more like spring. ICM is too much fun! In one session I will take many photos but when I see them in LR, one or two just stand out from the rest.
Lovely reminder for spring, @annlouiselyman. Others have already mentioned the beautiful colors and “spring” feel , however, I noticed right off are the two semi-vertical green lines on the right side. My first thought was they look like the edge of a very thin curtain which is allowing me just a peak at the real spring! Truly nicely seen and captured.
Thanks, Linda for sharing your reaction to my photo. What fun to see what others imagine in an abstract image. I love this scene because the pink flowers peek through the lavandar stems.
This was my first impression too Linda. It feels like a veil or sheer curtain providing a hint of the beautiful garden. Such a lovely image Ann Louise! The colors and motion pair well together. Others have already addressed the luminosity and overall composition so I won’t repeat myself. Just wanted to comment on the overall impression of the image and note its wonderful abstract qualities. Thanks for posting.
I’ve been on the road, Ann, so I’m a bit late to this. I don’t think it’s too dark but I live in the Northwest where it’s always dark. I like the idea of looking through green to the other colors which to me is a great way of expressing spring. I’m ambivalent about the curved stem. In some ways I like it but it does lead my eye along its path-I think it would have been wonderful if there had been a mirror image one to make the eye move back and forth.
Hi Ann Louise. Lavender and pink ladies make a good combo! The colors are just lovely.
For me, this feels a bit dark since I know it’s about spring time. I think the left-hand side especially could be brightened. That would give more definition to the lavender flowers, too.
I made a few edits to show what I’m thinking. In ACR, I raised the exposure on the left half. Then, in PS, I made some targeted edits. Here’s a snip of the layer stack in PS:
Here’s the result. Brightening it and bringing out more detail in the lavenders lets us see some of their stems. This also gives a view of another stem going the other direction from that curved one. I think that makes some nice diagonals in the frame. Oh, and I cropped a tad off the right side (that dark stem).
@Bonnie_Lampley : wow,what an interesting edit, I like the lightness that even reveals another diagonal line. Thanks for taking the time and giving me the info in layers. I will definitely try your approach and learn something new!
