The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I was struck by the backlight, how the filtering light lit the golds and reds. The crooked old tree looked like it was reaching, I don’t know what for. Something out of reach, I guess.
Specific Feedback
It’s a pretty chaotic image. I’ve worked on trying to focus it into what I responded to in the field.
I tried to clean up distractions, esp on the edges. What have I missed?
Does it look like there’s a point? I’ve been looking at this one off and on for a couple months, and I’m trying to decide if I’ve overworked it, or if it isn’t worked enough, or maybe I’m trying to hard. I know what I liked about it at the time, I remember the OOHH AHHH but I don’t know if that translates into an image.
Technical Details
Z 8, 100-400 @ 100mm, f8.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Excellent. THere’s often beauty in chaos, both in the visual arts and music. The only thing I would do regarding cleanup is I would dodge the dark branch or rock? in the URC.
Julie, Chaos? Well, I only see chaos in reference to the saying, “order from chaos.” And that’s exactly how I see this - and I love this! The light is gorgeous and clearly you recognized and capitalized on that.
Sure, chaos naturally due to the mirade of branches, twigs, grasses, etc. etc. But it’s the structure of the main tree (cottonwood?) that anchors the scene and the beautiful backlighting reigns in all that chaos.
This certainly doesn’t look “overworked.” I’d say you processed this perfectly!
The one observation I had when first viewing this was that I felt the composition was a bit right heavy and I thought of cropping from the left. HOWEVER… IMHO, cropping from the left is out of the question because of the “hole” in the branches that actually show thru and provide some depth; but that opening of all the backlit branches and twigs revealing the cooler, shadowed background… somehow is a very important element in this scene. No crop.
The only other alternative suggestion might be a horizontal reversal? Might not be agreeable, especially since your original is engrained in your thoughts.
No matter my blathering… I love this image! The light is just beautiful and for sure, you have created “order from chaos.”
I love the way this looks like the vegetation is almost burning. I’m a color fan, so I’m also enjoying the rich mix of reds and yellows. Making that tree the main subject ties the chaos together nicely.
I like @Michael_Lowe’s idea about that dark object; it’s the one thing that seems slightly incongruent. I also feel a slight mismatch between the bottom right and left. I don’t know what you had to work with, but if the left was more matched to the right I probably would have included a bit more below.
@Michael_Lowe thank you, yes there’s a dark blotch there I hadn’t really noticed, thank you and I’ll take a look at dodging that area!
@Lon_Overacker thank you for your thoughts! I see what you’re saying about the balance. The weight of the two main branches of the tree need to be more to the left. They’re not centered but they’re too close to the center line. You’re correct, I don’t want to crop more from the left because that’s where the light is coming from. I did crop from the left already to remove a branch that was getting too well lit and was difficult to remove or burn down. So maybe I can look at that again and see if there’s any room to redesign…
Thank you!!
It’s an eye magnet because of the size and brightness and it distracts me from the rest of the image. Maybe that’s just me but you may want to consider it.
What an image! I do like it a lot. The backlight works perfectly, and the chaos comes together creating a vibrant image. I like the diagonal composition as well. Chaos… Reminds me of the old book “Nature’s Chaos” by Eliot Porter and James Gleick…
Hi Julie,
The light in this scene is exquisite and I am loving all that organized chaos. The graceful arching limbs of the tree hold all that chaos together perfectly IMO. My only two suggestions have already been touched upon by @Michael_Lowe and @Don_Peters. IMO those couple of small tweaks would elevate an already beautiful image another notch. Nicely done.
I could look at this for a long time. Yes, it’s busy but that’s part of its attraction. There are so many treasures to be discovered while exploring this busy concoction. I agree with most of the suggestions (except the dark llc which I like as is, even though it doesn’t match the lrc). It’s the light that makes this image. What’s a bit baffling is why the sunlight is warm in some places and cool in others. Perhaps it’s light going through in places and reflecting in others.
The lighting in this photo is incredible and really makes the photo. The chaos from all the tangled branches is certainly there, but with the backlight just making all of glow brings a cohesiveness such that the chaos is not even seen. I especially love the richness in the light along the bottom edge.
@Don_Peters I did think about getting rid of that leaf in the center of the frame but decided to keep it because there are others about the image that aren’t as prominent, but I do get what you’re saying about it being an eye magnet, so I’ll try to maybe burn it down/desaturate it and see what that looks like. And then remove it, haha.
@John_Williams the vegetation looked like it was burning in real life, too. I saw this from the side of the road and ran like a crazy person through sand, tripping over my tripod haha.
@Igor_Doncov I The background has a bit more blue in the shadows because there’s a canyon wall back there that the light isn’t hitting yet. So that’s why there’s a rock in the upper right corner, it probably isn’t a rock but a deeper divit in the wall. As soon as that backdrop started getting light, this location was done!
This is absolutely a chaotic image but your composition and the way you’ve used the light certainly makes order of it. The light is…downright gorgeous. Love the color palette and tonality. I think Don’s suggestion to remove that one leaf is a good one as it does draw my eye a little too much. Overall, lovely image!
hank you, Bret! I did re-work this image, but haven’t reposted it. I’ll try to remember next time I’m on my computer. I did basically burn/desat the bright leaf, I think it works but I’ll post it again and see.
Thank you for your thoughts! @Antonello_Provenzale I ordered the book you mentioned and it is out for delivery today. And while I was on thriftbooks somehow Robert Frank’s The Americans ended up there, too…
hank you, Bret! I did re-work this image, but haven’t reposted it. I’ll try to remember next time I’m on my computer. I did basically burn/desat the bright leaf, I think it works but I’ll post it again and see.