Sunrise at Cosumnes River Preserve, California

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
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FGisin_NPN_1168_Natures_Contrast.jpg
FGisin_NPN_1168_Natures_Contrast.jpg1500×1000 701 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

Get low enough to the ground at the edge of one of the flooded fields at the Consumnes River Preserve, and the still surface of the water will perfectly reflect what’s in the sky. In this case, the remnants of an epic blue hour sky just as the sun was rising over the Sierra Nevada mountains.
[Made my day!]

Specific Feedback

I tried cloning out the small clump along the lower portion of the right edge, but then the image became too boring (symmetrical?).

Darkening the blues significantly increased the contrast between the complementary yellows and blues. Made the image “pop”. [Epicness and all that.] But in the process, the image lost the nuanced calmness that I felt when I took the image. So I left the blues alone.

Technical Details

Straightforward shot
Tripod mounted Nikon Z8 + 100 to 400 mm lens
1/15 sec @ f/18, ISO 640
2 second timer shutter release

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:
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Franz, this is a fine mix of simple and interesting. I like that it’s slightly asymetric, with the well disguised horizon slightly below center. The perfection of the reflections works well with the smooth blue tones. The golden plants stand out well from the blue. Yes, the plant in the lower right is a good addition.

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Mark;

Thanks for the thumbs up. It is sincerely appreciated.

Cheers,
Franz