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
What elements draw your attention first?
Other Information
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Technical Details
Fujifilm X-T5, 50-140 mm f/2.8 @ 100mm, 1/15sec, f/11. Did I really need f/11? probably not, might have been better at f/8. But, most of what I saw had to be emphasized in post. Lightroom Classic, DxO Photolab, Photoshop, Nik Color FX…I kind of wandered around to get to this. So, I had to retouch a halo and some graffiti, but this is what I felt.
Specific Feedback
Do you feel the same excitement and mystery I felt that very hot afternoon?
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Initial reaction: A stark and almost forbidding place.
I like the composition but do have some thoughts on technicalities…
The reds look over-saturated to me . I would like to see more detail in those deep shadows. It also seems a little tight. I believe the top needs a little breathing room, i.e. a bit more visible sky. I think you could tweak the contrast in the rock to give it more glow/luminosity.
You made a great effort in what I wuld think are challenging lighting conditions.
-P
Actually, it’s the arch window that I’m drawn to first. And really for the simple, common reason, the eye is going to go to the bright area first. Certainly not a bad thing in this image since it’s clear you wanted that as part of your overall composition. And it works well.
I agree a bit with Preston on the reds/orange saturation. To be clear though, I’ve never been there, and I also know that sandstone like this in early/late warm light can really stand out. So this certainly falls within the realm of personal choice and interpretation.
I’m enjoying exploring the larger view with all the fascinating details. The sky wasn’t the best, but the good news is that you only included enough to help balance the overall composition - and we almost always have to deal with what was given on any particulary outing.
Thanks all for the feedback! I understand the suggestions about the crop and the saturation, and the raw file has enough in reserve for me to adjust both, which I’ll test myself doing. I do calibrate my monitors (with an older Colormunki device), but sometimes saturation is an attempt to express emotion, and can be easily strained. And, the image I see now on NPN is darker and more saturated than I thought it would be. I’ve been critical of oversaturated landscapes in the past, and now I may be slipping into that trap. I’m still learning and experimenting with software, and recently purchased a set of tutorials called the “Light Collection” from “Learn Nature Photography” where several landscape photographers share how they edit now.
Eric Bennett has some ideas that I want to try on the rock in the shadow on the lower half of the image to amplify any glow that might be lurking in there.
Hi Bill,
The first thing that catches my eye is the arch window on that left side due to the brightness of the sky showing through. This image is quite nice as is, but IMO a crop from the left to get rid of that window would let the viewer better concentrate on those wonderful sandstone formations. For my tastes the red rock looks a little too saturated, but I wasn’t there so that falls under personal preference. Nicely done.
My first impression is apt name for a park. I am at odds with some others, but I quite like the saturated rock color. But I will agree about wishing to see a little more detail in the shadows. Also I agree with @Ed_Lowe about the crop and thew window on the left. It seems an eye grabber. I like how you’ve minimized the sky with your compositional choice.
