The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I just got back from my Fall Colors trip to both Utah and Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. This image is off highway 12 in Boulder Mountain North of Boulder and south of Torrey. This was right after a storm that passed through and drenched the area. I found a pullout and decided to just walk towards the valley off the highway. Not knowing what I’d find, I just strolled for a couple of hours and on my way back to the truck I turned around and this little picture window appeared before my eyes. It was framed nicely by golden aspen almost at peak color and I thought I’d capture this frame.
Specific Feedback
I’m pretty pleased with this image but was wondering if the the dark overhanging branches (not the leaves but the dark branches) are distracting to the point of being a deal breaker?
Technical Details
Z8, 24-120mm lens @ 44mm, ISO 400, F10, 1/800, hand held
Critique Template
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There is a tranquility to this that I find very pleasing. The balance of light and shadow is excellent, and the muted saturation is perfect for this scene. Are the overhead branches distracting? No. The do not bother me at all.
You’ve got a ‘printer’ here, David. Nicely done!
-P
Hi David,
Now, that is what I call serendipity! You were at the right place at the right time; glad you decided to turn around. The colors look great for my personal tastes and the soft subdued lighting is perfect for this scene. The darker leaves hanging down fom the top of the frame are certainly not a deal breaker for me either; although I could see dodging the section of leaves in the ULC just a little. You framed the distant mountains perfectly with those leaves along the top edge. Beautifully done.
Are you kidding? This image would be far less interesting without the upper canopy of leaves. They add both color and perspective and direct your eyes into the center. BTW, I also like the leaves scattered below. I don’t know if it’s noticeable but the leaves above and below work well together in a subtle way. The image would be far less interesting without them. It’s really a layered composition isn’t it? First the leaves, then the rocks, then the yellow tres, then the green mountains, then the blue mountains, then the clouds, and finally the overhanging branches.
Looks like you timed your trip well. When I show up these trees are barren. But the Zion ones are in their prime.
Looking forward to seeing more of your work from this trip.
Hi Igor…I’m not worried about the overhanging leaves. It’s the big dark branches the leaves are attached to that has me thinking. The colors were just prior to peak when this shot was taken and a week later on my return from the Tetons and Yellowstone the branches were barren.
Yeah, the colors peak about a month before Zion peaks which is usually around the third week of October. The peak for the Boulder mountain aspens is generally about the third of fourth week of September because of the elevation. Most of my Fall colors images from this area are above 10,000 feet. Same goes for the Capital Reef area where they tend to peak around the same time as Zion. You almost have to do two trips to catch both areas at their best.
There are no deal breakers here, @David_Haynes. That entire area is truly magical and you captured that wonder well. The golden leaves framing the scene at top are icing on the proverbial cake. This would be good without them but their inclusion adds much to the photo. Processing is spot on, too. Bravo!
On the contrary, I don’t think the branches are distracting at all. I think that they frame the scene perfectly. Overall, this is a very pleasing image and I think you should be very happy with it - I know that I would be.
Thanks very much to @Preston_Birdwell, @Michael_Lowe, @Ed_Lowe, @Diane_Miller, @Igor_Doncov, @Bret_Edge, @Tom_Nevesely for your remarks. I guess I wasn’t very clear when I asked my question about the overhanging branches and leaves. I love the leaves and even most of the smaller branches don’t bother me but it’s those two big limbs running at an angle that grab my attention. I love the leaves and the natural framing and I should have better made that distinction when asking the question, "do the dark overhanging branches (not the leaves but the dark branches) distract to the point of being a deal breaker?
It seems none of you are bothered by any of it so I will move on to the next image knowing not to worry about such things. Thanks again.
Now that you bring it to our attention I can see why you might get fixated on the branch on the left. But I never thought of it on my own. I think this is a case of being overly critical of oneself. I think most people wouldn’t be bothered by it if this were their own image.
Same here. The branches must not be a problem because it took you pointing them out for me to even think about them
I agree with what @Preston_Birdwell led off with, this has a real tranquility to it. I love the way the view rolls into the distance, and the leaves/branches really add a nice framing above.
