The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I took this photo in October of 2008. The D300 was my first DSLR. Well, actually, I started with the D40 but is was stolen shortly after I got it so I didn’t have many photos taken with it.
My husband and I were hiking back to the car at the Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge when I saw this scene. My husband was in a hurry to get home and couldn’t understand why I took this photo. I printed it for a gallery show, it didn’t sell, so I have it in our house and I still love it.
Specific Feedback
Any ideas why it isn’t as loved as much as I love it? Any technical advice?
Technical Details
Nikon D300, f14, 80mm, 1/60, ISO 200
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:
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Color:
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Technical:
What a wonderful moment. I think you captured it well. I feel as though I’m experiencing it as well. I like this image because it has something to say. It’s kind of a personal image in that ir doesn’t rely on being artsy or a clever composition. It’s straightforward.
To answer your question as to why it might not be loved by some, I would say my first impression was it is a beautiful scene, great light and I would have stopped to take a photo as well. After looking at it for a while I found I was getting distracted by a few things. First, the larger foreground tree to the left of the main tree trunk and right below the sun seems to just be in the way of appreciating the main subject. Second, the foreground tree peeking out of the left edge is also a bit distracting. And third, I found myself really wanting to see the top part of the tree and maybe a little less foreground grass, maybe cropping up through the patch of short green grass in the LRC . I think you handled the tough dynamic range exceptionally well. I would add, I tend to like simpler, clean compositions, so my comments on the distracting elements are more personal taste than technical criticism.
I can somehow understand why it has not sold (you can find many similar ones, no offense intended) but even more why you keep and love it. It is a personal photo and these are usually the best
H Barbara,
I quite like the backlight on the wildflowers as well as the sunstar. I also like the way the main tree fills up a lot of the frame. This scene has a nice peaceful vibe to it that I find inviting and it looks like the perfect way to end the day. I wouldn’t lose any sleep over not selling it at the gallery show; that is going to happen far more often than making a sale. Enter other shows and keep trying.
This is very nice as posted, but I have a couple of small suggestions for you to clean up the image. I hope you do not mind, but here is a rework with what I was thinking. I cropped off the small tree along the left side as well as cropping off the area in the LRC that is devoid of those wildflowers. This is just a suggestion of course.
