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
This is an older image of mine - shot about 5 years ago that I only just now processed. I like the light on the one mountain peak and I like the cool/warm colour contrast. I’m unsure of the texture in the sky. There were some softly textured clouds in the sky and to me it sometimes looks like it made the sky unnaturally blotchy. Do you see this as well? Or am I overthinking this?
Creative direction
My intent with this image was to tell a story of perseverance and beauty in the face of adversity. To me, the snow covered forest and the dark background mountain symbolize nature’s quiet yet unyielding power, while the light breaking through suggests hope, or the promise of a new day.
Specific Feedback
What were your immediate emotions when you first saw this image? Do you think that the story I a m trying to tell is coming across clearly?
Technical Details
Camera and lens: Canon 5DII & Tamron 100-400mm at 100mm. Tripod.
Exposure: 1/125 sec at f/13, ISO-100.
Description
Originally I wanted to make this a black and white but I’m a sucker for images with a warm/cool colour contrast though I may still give it try. What do you think?
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Hi @Tom_Nevesely , I like how you have captured the lovely warm light on the rockface. I have to agree with you that the sky does look a bit blotchy, and it isn’t clear to me if it is natural or a processing artifact. But otherwise it is well seen and processed.
The blotches in the sky do not bother me. In fact, on the lit peak, it appears like wind is blowing snow off the peak and into the sky. I find the photo interesting given the unique lighting, but I don’t see the story you are hoping to tell with it. I see a preference taking place with one peak getting light while the other does not. But not preferred by any merit but just by random chance of where the light happened to poke through the clouds. I wonder what the photo would have looked like had the light fallen on the BG peak alone or both getting light. It would have changed the narrative completely.
I love images like this. The light is wonderful, although I might have tones that down just a tad. Love the snow blown halo and the shadowy mountain in the back. I see what you’re talking about in the sky, but as a lover of clouds AB’s textured skies, I find it beautiful. Well captured!
Hi Tom,
For me this image is all about contrasts. I love the way this scene transitions from warm tones on the right side to the cooler tones on the left. I also find the warm light on the FG mountain inviting while the BG mountain in shadow feels cold and unforgiving. The sky does not bother me; I just see thin wispy clouds. I also think your idea of a B&W would work well also. Beautifully done IMO.
I find it interesting that what an image is about, or what the story is, can be so different for different people. It’s not a bad thing though - it makes life more colourful and exciting.
Tom, the light/dark contrast between the two peaks is great, with the blowing snow and the subtle clouds fine extras. Yes, I see the repeating blotchiness in the sky. It looks like it may be the limits of jpeg conversion. Go back and look at your original (presumably RAW) file. If it’s there, then it’s a low light/camera noise issue, if it appears during processing, then it’s processing, if it only shows in the NPN file version, it’s the jpg conversion.
What a moment to catch Tom. The contrast of lighting between the two peaks catches my eye in a lovely way. You have a nice mix of warm and cool there too, and the diagonal flow of the trees up to that spotlight on the foreground peak pulls it all together.
This is an image where the story can be told many ways, as others have noted. I don’t know that I would have come up with your creative direction on my own, but once I read it I agree the image does a good job of that.
Mark, I had a chance to go back and look at the RAW file and the odd texture is already there. It’s definitely more subtle than in the processed version but is there non the less. Even though it’s most likely “natural” it looks a bit odd in a photo so I went back into my edit, added a new layer with a blur applied to the sky and blended into the rest of the image. I don’t think It’s worth uploading a repost here because the change isn’t that visible but I’m happier knowing that my master file is fixed.
Fabulous image, I love powerful landscape images, especially with rock formations. The snow covered subtle formation in the background works well, Cheers.
