The Very Face Of Age

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
1

The Face Of Age.jpg
The Face Of Age.jpg1239×1239 1.36 MB

Critique Style Requested: Initial Reaction

Please share your immediate response to the image before reading the photographer’s intent (obscured text below) or other comments. The photographer seeks a genuinely unbiased first impression.

Questions to guide your feedback

Can you see the face?

Other Information

Please leave your feedback before viewing the blurred information below, once you have replied, click to reveal the text and see if your assessment aligns with the photographer. Remember, this if for their benefit to learn what your unbiased reaction is.

Image Description

This image was captured in the Caddo Lake area of Texas. In one of the many side channels along the Bayou of Caddo Lake I spotted this lone tangle of Bald Cypress Roots absent a tree to support. I grabbed the image and only later spotted the elongated, sad, wide mouthed face, with the weeping eyes. At least that’s what I make of it. It would seem to me the face reflects its eternal entrapment among its own developed roots.

Technical Details

Camera: Canon EOS R5. Lens: RF24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM @ 109 mm. f/8.0 for 1/160 sec.
ISO: 3200. Edited using Camera Raw, Photoshop, and Topaz Denoise AI.

Specific Feedback

Any and all comments welcomed.

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

Robert: A really nice find and capture of an interesting feature. I would be strongly tempted to make the window into the BG on the right side go away. The relative brightness gets my eye and I don’t think it adds much to the image. I do like the lighting on the roots and your DOF choice. Well seen and nicely presented. >=))>

3

I see a gnarled, very old, grouping of souls. Nicely lit to emphasize their story. I don’t see any nits to pick.

4

@robert21
I see a toucan chick snuggled up next to it’s mom on the left :slight_smile:
Very evocative image!
I agree with removing the “V” on the right.
Brightness/contrast/tones are just about perfect.
Great find!

5

Thank you for your comments. I will give the V a try at removal. It was originally quite a bit brighter. Bob

6

Thank you, Connie. Bob

7

Thank you, Sandy. I will give V removal a try. Bob

8

Well I Tried to fill, remove and a couple other ideas, but decided to just darken the V area . Of the changes I tried I was most pleased with this one.

The Very Face Of Age 2
The Very Face Of Age 21239×1239 1.36 MB

That being said I think I still prefer the original edit. Bob

1 Like
9

Bob, you’ve created a strong feeling of a fine wooden sculpture with your focus on the foreground knees. I get a nice sense of a family hug, yes possibly sad. I actually like the window into the distance, but agree that it should be minimized, maybe a bit more burning-in of the greens… I also think that a touch more burning-in of the mid-ground tree trunk especially on the left, would let your “subject” stand out further.

10

Thank you, Mark, I don’t disagree with anything you said. Bob