Surf -n- Turf

Image Critiques
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1

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55Z8__0396-npn.jpg
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55Z8__0376-sharpened.jpg
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Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Ok, one more ICM from our NorCal event at the Marin Headlands. After everyone had left, I took a short walk out on the bluff to see what I could find. It was just past here I found the patch of summer wildflowers where I’ve posted several images. This particular scene as the general landscape view off the Pacific Coast just north of the GG Bridge. I was really, really windy and of course midday, bluebird skies… so naturally I tried my best to make lemonade from lemons. The straight landscape image is a 2-image focus stack at a HIGH shutter speed just to see if I could get a good landscape image. meh… But really I’m just posting that for reference of the ICM’s.

I don’t often do ICM’s of the bigger, broader landscape. But after returning to these I thought, hmmm, maybe worth exploring. Not so abstract you can’t tell what the bigger picture is, but enough motion to make it abstract, I guess.

Specific Feedback

Very curious to learn if this works for anyone, at any level?

How are the colors, processing?

Do you prefer one abstract over the other? why?

As always, thank you for your time and comments!

Technical Details

Nikon Z8, Z24-120mm @73mm, f/22 @1/5s, iso 50.
Single ICM frame
Landscape image: 2 image focus stack f/8 1/2500th iso1250 - attempt to freeze the grass/flowers on such a windy afternoon - resorting to high iso and shutter speed just to freeze the flowers.

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:
2

Lon, I have to admit these are totally out of my wheelhouse and creativity ability. They totally work as what they’re meant to be, abstract and completely open minded and fluid in thoughts IMO.
For me it’s the first one. The second seems a bit overdone with the wispy movements of the wave actions. Again, the first works best for me without thoughts of change there at all… :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

3

I like the first one, Lon because of the direction of motion making the wave crest streaks look like cartoon wind gusts. It evokes the feel of strong wind gusts.

4

Way more than worth exploring!! Both are wonderful but I prefer the second one for the more rounded shapes. No clue why… The colors and tonalities are drop-dead gorgeous! You have created an amazing transition here, from mundane reality to a dream world!!

5

I’ll take Door Number One, Lon. To me it has a really nice flow, and the color is spot-on. It really invokes a windy day on the headland! Nicely done!
-P

6

Thank you @Paul_Breitkreuz , @Dennis_Plank , @Diane_Miller and @Preston_Birdwell for your comments on these. Looks like the first has a slight edge, and the one I prefer as well! So thanks!

And thanks for the EP, although there wasn’t much to pick from! :upside_down_face: