Volcanic terrain

Image Critiques Landscape Critiques
1

Crater 3 c.jpg
Crater 3 c.jpg6355Ă—4237 643 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

The sun had just topped the hill I was facing, which accounts for the odd shadows.

Specific Feedback

All comments are welcome.

Technical Details

ISO 2000, 94mm, f/11, 1/250th.

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1 Like
2

I quite like this. Proving that good photography is not always dependent on the “golden hours.” Good photographers will find good images. Has a nice depth to it, although the perspective is a little confusing at first. lol

3

Thanks, Michael. It was an unusual scene.

4

Definitely unusual, and quite fascinating. I wonder about B/W for this…

5

I enjoy the back lighting on the vegetation. The depth carries my eye from foreground to the background, very nice.

6

Hi Don,
This landscape has some amazing light and is certainly a unique POV with those long shadows stretching out across the BG hillside. Great eye to spot this! Did you sharpen this? I ask because the large version looks a little soft. My only other suggestion would be a crop from the left side to get rid of the tree along the edge as well as the downward edge of the ridge line. I hope you do not mind, but here is a rework with what I was thinking. Just my opinion of course. Very nicely done. I almost forgot to ask; why the 2000 ISO?

Crater 3 c
Crater 3 c5755Ă—4237 2.84 MB

1 Like
7

Jeff, Diane, I appreciate the comments.

Ed, thanks for going to the trouble of creating a revision. I think your crop makes for a more balanced and somewhat less cluttered image. On the other hand, the unusual shape of the ridge is lost. I’ll need to give it some thought.

I generally don’t sharpen images any more. As for the ISO, I was with my wife and I had to shoot hand-held. I was using a 70-300mm lens. Even though the stabilizer is excellent, I didn’t want a slower shutter speed than 1/250th. I didn’t want a wider aperture than f/11. ISO 2000 was what it took to get the aperture and shutter speed where I wanted them. I think I was using a polarizer, which contributed to the need for a high ISO.

1 Like
8

I compromised on the crop. I had to zap a little vegetation to do it.

Crater 4 c2
Crater 4 c21534Ă—1023 1.52 MB

1 Like
9

In my opinion, the cropped composition is more appealing to me than the un-cropped. The depth still draws me into the photograph.

10

SWMBO, LOL!

I commented on the haze in your prior image; I was of a mixed opinion. Here though, I love it. I think it adds a huge amount to the image, giving it a somewhat abstract and surreal effect. Well done.

1 Like
11

Hi Don,

What an interesting image!

My takeaway is that it looks lot like an underwater scene, about 30 feet deep in clear tropical water. The volcanic terrain adds to the illusion because so many dive sites around the world feature inshore lava formations (with the Big Island of Hawaii being a prime example. )

Russ

12

Jeff, John, Russ, thanks to all of you for commenting. I’m glad that this one connects with some of you.

Russ, I hadn’t thought of an underwater scene but I can see what you mean.

13

Late to the party here, but I really like this image. I actually prefer the original post. Honestly, I did not notice that tree until it was pointed out. That framing gives the ridge the space it needs. The light here is wonderful. The combination of the dark volcanics and the warm backlight is very nice, indeed.

Well done, Don.
-P

14

Don: Ditto @Preston_Birdwell . The original is the best overall for me and just a great capture of unique and compelling conditions. Well seen and superbly captured and congrats on a well deserved EP. >=))>