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Image Description
Walking in a local re-wilding project a couple of weeks ago I came across this lovely scene . One shrub was bursting into life while everything around it was still dormant.
It was an impressive sight.
I’m not sure what it is as I couldn’t get near to it in a restricted area.
Technical Details
I had a long lens on as I was looking for raptors.
Olympus OM-1
Pano/Leica 100-400 @200
Critique Template
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My first impression Ryan, I like the contrast between the yellow blooms and forest not yet awaken from winter. I’m not sure if it is the size you posted, but the image is not very sharp when I view it full size. I am also at odds with the colorful bush being centered, the LL corner bush is a bit distracting. I find it hard in scenes like this to isolate or even locate a main subject from all that is going on, but you did well in seeing this composition! Looks like an interesting location…
Spring is certainly spurting out on your yellow bush. The bush is certainly striking and contrasts well with the rest of the image. There’s a lot going on in the image. Keeping the background somewhat blurred helps to simplify and eliminate some of nature’s chaos. I suggest sharpening a bit more and doing selective burning and / or vignetting at the upper sides and top to keep viewers’ eyes focused on the yellow bush. Spring offers much to see and photograph and this image demonstrates that one does not need to be in an exotic setting to make images.
Hope and adversity. Renewal. These are all themes associated with Spring. My small village is celebrating ‘Semana Santa’ this week with processions and all the rest. It’s the same theme as this picture. If that’s what you’re after you could add more joy, more glee to the yellows.
Hi Ryan,
My initial reaction is one of rebirth or renewal. You have the nicely shaped bush bursting forth with it’s colorful spring growth contrasted against the BG of trees and brush lying dormant at the moment as they await their turn to put on a show. My only suggestion; just my personal tastes; would be to crop a little from the right so as to move that lovely bush just a bit off center. Nicely done.
Thanks for the comments. I appreciate them.
This was really a quick snap rather than a considered set-up. The shrub was standing out bright against the background and I had to try to record it. Yes I can see that it is actually a little soft, it shouldn’t be, I will look at that.
Thanks again.
Love the setup here and kudos for recognizing the potential of this scene. Most certainly brings up the feeling of an emerging spring - given the dormant nature of the bg trees.
I really like the framing and presentation. The first thing that came to mind was the heavy dark branch near the right edge. Too big for cloning and I wouldn’t recommend a crop; perhaps some targeting dodging/painting. Otherwise, I like the narrow format and the bg trees and foreground vegetation provide context.
I think this has great potential - but based on how far you are comfortable taking the image. I would agree with other comments that you could “enhance” the bush via a combo of luminosity and saturation; Converseley, you could also selectively desaturate (very slightly) the bg. I also played around with slightly blurring even further the trees for even more separation. Finally, a vignette could work as well. Please know, none of these suggestions are to “fix” any issues, but fall in with my idea of “making an image the best it can be.”
