The Shattered Tree

Image Critiques Landscape Critiques
1

The Shattered Tree 864A5740.jpg
The Shattered Tree 864A5740.jpg1500×1000 1.27 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

During out last cold snap/polar vortex here in South Carolina, I walked around Carolina Bay before temperature got above freezing. I didn’t know what I would find, but, oh my there were some cool shapes. I spent about 90 minutes looking at the edge of the water were it was showing off these great shapes. This will likely be part of my Premature Fall project, since this tree came down during Hurricane Helene. As I was getting this image, the sun was coming through right behind me on the trunk. As I was balancing on the trunk I had to make sure my shadow covered the sun, so I could keep a consistent tone across the frame.

Specific Feedback

This was actually a pretty simple image, except for the color cast. It seemed like each time I moved it any way, it would shift way too much. Trying for just a cool tone for the ice. Other thoughts welcome.

Technical Details

Canon R
ISO 800
f/8 at 1/50 sec
24mm-240mm at 109mm

Critique Template

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  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
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2

I like this image for its graphic quality. For the contrast in texture between the rough bark and the smooth ice. The light is wonderful as well. I also like the somber colors here, which go well together. A really good image.

Also, the outline of the wood in black makes it jump forward and separates it from the ice.

1 Like
3

@Igor_Doncov 's thoughts echo mine, so I won’t bother repeating them. I’m really liking this one.

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4

Looks like you hit the sweet spot to my eye Patrick; this looks really good. I love the contrast of the bark and the ice, and the plants below the ice add as a backdrop. The way the ice is like rays from the trunk is also attractive.

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5

Patrick, my first thought was that this was a composite, fallen tree and ice. How neat to discover that it’s a single shot. The contrast between the tree and the ice looks great, plus you’ve got excellent detail in both. While I could see reducing the blue in the ice slightly, I do think that keeping some blue there adds well to the scene.

1 Like