The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
At a certain point in my career the Nikon D800 came out and as a lifetime Canon guy, reading about the large files and crazy dynamic range piqued my curiosity. I somehow convinced Nikon to loan me a D800 and a couple lenses for an extended trip my family and I took to Wyoming, mostly focused on the Wind River Mountains. I shot this scene just below Green River Lakes near the beginning of our trip. I had a devil of a time processing it and was never truly happy with the results. I gave it another go recently and am much more pleased with the result. It’s funny how each camera system produces its own very unique image files and the difference between Canon - Nikon - Sony is dramatic, at least to my eye.
Specific Feedback
Any and all feedback, but specifically regarding the processing. I’m still not 100% happy with the look and feel of this image, but I can’t quite put my finger on the “why”.
Technical Details
Nikon D800
Nikon 24-70 lens @ 70mm
ISO 100
1/15s @ f/11
Processed in Lightroom Classic and Nik Color Efex Pro
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Hi Bret,
I had a Nikon D800 and loved the results it produced. In some ways I still like it better than the Z 7 I currently have. In fact, I would still have it now other than trying to lighten the load on my back. I came back to this lovely scene a couple of times and the processing and colors look pretty nice to me. I am really liking the light as well as that mountain reflected in the water. Maybe just a touch more contrast like this?
Bret: When I was a kid I lived in Indiana and my mother’s parents lived in Oregon. We took the train from Chicago to Portland almost every summer and I recall going through Green River on the Union Pacific. I remember the train rides 60-70 years later but I wasn’t all that observant of the terrain. This is a wonderful scene and I especially like the not quite perfectly calm reflection. My first impressions were that the large mountain and its reflection was a bit too warm and the overall exposure was a touch dark. I also would not give a featureless sky like this as much real estate in the frame. Here are my humble suggestions. Over to you.>=))>
Bret, this is a very inviting and gently dramatic scene. As I spend time viewing and trying to understand your slight displeasure, I find the trees and slope coming in from the right a bit too dark. I’d like a little more of a visual lead in from the lower right corner and more texture in what looks to be a cloudy sky. Here’s my attempt… Modest L2 dodging of the trees, slope and foreground grasses. Some mid-tone burning, for more texture in the sky and a slight pass of L2 dodging in the sky to keep it from getting too dark. How fun and interesting to see everybody’s personal take on a lovely scene. Not at all sure that the subtle changes will show unless you can page back and forth…
Thank you all for the fantastic suggestions! I think a combination of them might just do the trick. Cropping a bit off the sky, adding a touch of contrast while also dodging ever so slightly the trees coming in from the right. In the RAW file the mountain on left was very warm (too much so) for some reason and I had already toned that down but I do prefer the brighter and cooler version. This is what makes NPN such a great place to hang out. Thank you all!
