The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
I don’t know what needs to be improved. Perhaps it’s too dark, but it’s meant to be dark. It needs to be dark yet not muddy dark.
Creative direction
This is meant to be about form. The point is to have a sensory reaction to the form. I’m pretty clear in what I’m after. I could add more color to it but restrained myself. Would more saturation be better?
Specific Feedback
Aesthetic, conceptual, or technical feedback is appreciated. This is not meant to be a conceptual image.
Technical Details
GFX50R, 120mm Macro, f/11, iso 1250, focus stacked
Description
I made this image yesterday evening in the redwood state park just south of Crescent City. I had shot a very similar composition the night before with the 45-100mm zoom but was not happy with the composition because the lens didn’t have enough reach. All I can say is that shooting with a zoom is much much easier than with the prime. I must of readjusted the tripod 20 times to get this composition.
Critique Template
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Igor, you have an amazing knack for seeing shots like this, and turning them into a showcase. The various wood patterns are a delight, and the green /yellow lichens add depth and interest.
Excellent image!
Dark, why dark Igor. I see a well illuminated figures surrounded by gentle shades that make stand out the form. I can see, or imagine, the sculptures of two sketched horses, the central subject and another behind it. I love the sprayed colors that for me are well saturated. I love the creative photo Igor.
I see a Neolithic fertility figure. The darkness works, although the left side feels a bit muddy. Since you said this is about form, I thought about what would accentuate the forms of the curving lines and bulges. Perhaps a bit of dodging of the lighter bits over the entire image (lights 1 from TK panel), and then burning of the darkest bits on the right side (darks 3 from TK panel). Then a bit of desaturation of the greens and yellows because they became too vivid after dodging.
@Bonnie_Lampley Yes, I agree that charred wood is a bit muddy. I have another version which addresses that. I noticed an area on the left that’s jet black. I’m not sure if I like that. The histogram however doesn’t show clipping. I’ll have to look into that. I like charred wood to glisten a bit and my version doesn’t have that.
Thank you for your effort. I don’t use TK however.
What’s amazing is that I’ve walked by this tree for at least 4 years without seeing this. In fact it’s just a bit higher on the tree where I made an image last year. Same tree.
I may be done with tree bark soon however. Everyone is shooting the pink flowers here. That and the shafts of light.
Thank you for your comments and, of course, I am grateful for the WP. I have printed this and pasted on my wall. It’s been a couple of weeks now but I have to say the image isn’t doing it to me as much as I had hoped. I’m not exactly sure why or if things will change with time. But right now it just looks like a green blob that has good texture but not particularly beautiful or even intriguing. A lot has to do with my interals, and they change from day to day. I prefer the image “Beneath” much more for some reason.
I can see how you meant this to be about form, and it does that well, but being a color guy I really like what it adds to the form. It adds a layer of beauty to my eye that I really enjoy. I think you hit the saturation sweet spot, because much more and the color would start to dominate too much.
