And a tweak from the suggestions below:
Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I was totally inspired but getting beyond desperate, standing next to Lon Overacker out on the Headlands the other day. To make matters worse, I had left the ND filter in the car so was really winging it. So I went for an interesting looking tree. Some of Lon’s fairy dust must have wafted my way and I got this one that I’m pleased with. It’s another addition to what I call my Giacometti trees.
Specific Feedback
All comments welcome!
Technical Details
Two images shot in rapid succession and combined in PS.
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1 Like
An ICM ??? It looks kinda like rain in this image !!! Really cool in the blending of colors of the trees Diane … Real different and I really like that.
Nice interpretation of the tree, Diane. I like the rather deep colors in this image and the vertical flow works well for me. Very minor nit, and possibly intentional, but there’s a lighter fine line at the very bottom of the image, like a layer got slightly out of alignment.
Ah, ha! So that’s what you were up to! Very creative Diane - and you mentioned 2 images joined in PS, right? Well done! I see the second image coming through the main trunks. And the bg looks like that big tree with the Spanish moss hanging down? Like Dennis, I also like the rich colors. The vertical motion is just right.
The only nit/suggestion I have might be to mitigate the shape/form in the ULC, looks like an upside down “T”? Either a CA-clone/fill or even a further crop, but I’d hate to lose all that beautiful blue. Here’s my thought below. Of course, all a matter of personal choice! The good news is that you already have a wonderful ICM; great motion, forms and color! Love it.
(If it were mine and I spent more time on it, I might reduce the blue/purple sat in a few specific areas - I did tweak the blue luminance and sat a bit.)
I hope this inspires you to create more! But please, don’t lose sight of your other outstanding talents in Avian, Astro, Landscape… all of it! Kudos!
Thanks, @Gill_Vanderlip, @Dennis_Plank and @Lon_Overacker! Dennis, the issue at the bottom edge came from distorting one of the layers so the sweep lines were more vertical. It’s a common issue and I missed seeing it – thanks! Fixed now by trimming a few pixels off the bottom.
Lon, that area bothered me too and no excuses for not working on it. It was from an odd-looking branch. Easy to go to the layered master file and clone it while viewing the composite. Did a little work on the left side of the trunk while I was there.
I need to get more inspired about this stuff. It’s like IR – something to play with when the light is awful and you’re ready to quit.
FWIW, here are the two images – just screenshots of the raw files in LR:
Very nice, Diane! I love the color you brought out. Your rework works.
Repost looks great Diane! thanks for taking the time for the edit, and also thanks for posting the originals. I guess you weren’t kidding when you originally wrote “…shot in rapid succession.” The combination worked really well - and gave me some ideas for future shoots!
Thanks, @Bonnie_Lampley and @Lon_Overacker again! I’ve developed a thing about combining two (or sometimes three) shots of the same subject but of course they are subtly different. Open as layers in PS and play with blend modes – usually Overlay and sometimes Hard or Soft Light. Then maybe some clipped adjustments, sometimes with masking. The most important thing is the right wine pairing for inspiration. Music helps, too.
Something dark that’s on the lighter side… perhaps a Pinot Noir? 
Ah yes, @Lon_Overacker – there is so much variability in Pinots, and quite some good country for it up this way. I’ll have to do some research on that idea. Include it in the specs??
2 Likes
