the sign

Image Critiques Landscape Critiques
1

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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

The photo was taken at a small waterfall above St. Blasien, Germany. It is located entirely in the forest. It was very cold, very early in the morning, and the light was terrible. I was already packing up my equipment because I was freezing. Suddenly, the sun broke through the branches and cast a magical light on this area of the waterfall. I was able to take advantage of the opportunity for a few seconds and took a series of photos. It was important to me to suggest the cold through the ice in the lower right area and, in contrast, to emphasise the warm sunlight.

Specific Feedback

It would be good to know whether the contrast between cold and warmth comes across to the viewer. Of course, I am also open to criticism regarding the design.

Technical Details

70mm / Ć’/13 / 1/4s / ISO 50
Nikon D750 with Zoom Nikkor 24.0-120.0 mm f/4.0
Processing in Lightroom, cropped, slight exposure corrections, partially brightened. Minor editing.

Critique Template

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2

Interesting waterfall and ice. I find the ice to be mildly distracting, but I think you did a good job here with your intent. The light on the cascades is very nice, and I am surprised you were able to hold as much detail as you did. Your shutter speed was perfect for the water.
-P

3

Thank you for your kind feedback, Preston! Yes, the ice cream is a controversial topic. I’m glad you like the photo! And yes, I would like to get involved here.

4

Yes, the contrast between the warm light and cool surroundings comes across quite well. SS is perfect. I too find the ice a little distracting because of it’s large size in the image. It seems like it’s halting me from entering the image. Hope you don’t mind, I tried another crop and removed a couple patches of ice/ water in the URC. I tried bringing out the shadows a little but I think it ruined the mood of the image and the impact of that spotlight.

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1 Like
5

What a unique and wonderful image! The action in that spotlight is perfect! For me, the contrasting element is more the waterfall in the BG rather than the ice. I like @Michael_Lowe’s idea amd might wonder about darkening the ice even a bit more.

Gorgeous in any case, though!

6

I agree that the splash of lights on the falls is a real highlight. I also think the ice in the lower right is wonderful too. Unfortunately, to my eye the compete more than I wish.

I played with cropping out the snow on the right (I found it distracting) and darkening the ice, increasing the contrast a tad more (both luminosity and color), opened the upper right shadows a little, and darkened some of the bright edge areas that were catching my eye. That may be too much change (especially that ice in the corner), so feel free to disregard, but maybe some ideas to play with.

DSC_2683 copy
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7

It’s amazing how you optimised the image in just a few steps, Michael. Thank you for that. I can work very well with all the input and agree with you 100%.

8

Thank you very much for your compliment and honest opinion about the ice in the foreground. I completely agree with you, @Michael_Lowe and @John_Williams. I wouldn’t have thought of that. How nice that the criticism here is honest and friendly.

9

I like your spotlight idea very much. It seems to me that having more darkness around the spotlight increases its effect. In that case any crop increases the spotlight and diminishes its effect. So I like the original the best. I can even warm up to the bright area along the upper right if necessary. I can’t decide whether it adds more than it detracts.

1 Like
10

Thank you very much for your much appreciated and honest critique of my photo! I tried many things with this photo. I would never have removed the white patch of snow in the top right corner. But now that you mention it, I have to say you’re right.