Walk in the Woods (+revised)

Image Critiques
1

Revised Version

Revision 1 (latest)

Revised version
Revised version2298×1626 752 KB

What changed: Great tips! I couldn’t replicate Bonnie’s exactly, but got the idea. I typically have a Smart Object layer to ACR where I tweaked, raised the general Exposure, whites and darks, a smidge. I also increated Texture/Clarity a tad. I had several other layers and did some additional dodging/burning. Oh, also cloned out that little strip. Thanks Marylynne! Changes are not dramatic, but I think improve?

Added after receiving feedback from the community.

Original Version

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Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

As the guys can attest, I spent a good portion of the trip seeking out and capturing ICM’s. It even got to the point where I started calling the Z7ii “my ICM camera”. LOL. But when you’ve been to a location as many times as I have been to Yosemite, and specifically to this very grove of Black Oak trees at the west end of El Capitan meadow, I’ve started trying to capture different images. This is a gorgeous grove of trees, but during the gray, drizzly conditions we had, there just wasn’t enough light for a worthy, straight landscape (at least for me.)

Specific Feedback

On my previous post, some commented that they really liked the multi-directional aspect of the blurs making it stand out a bit differently than a standard ICM, single movement image. I don’t disagree. And this one is just that single motion, classic ICM. I do think though, that these simple movements help emphasize, lines, shapes and color. Of course ACR/PS conveniently helps with targeting different tones, WB, contrast, colors and saturation. :slight_smile:

One of the things I’ve come to appreciate about the abstract is that one is freed from the goal of trying to “replicate” the scene that was seen and experienced. With the ICM, there are no restrictions on creative license.

With that, I’m curious if this classic ICM movement still creates something pleasing and engaging?

What response or impression are you getting?, if any?

How about color, sat and overalll processing? the crop?

As always, all comments and suggestions are welcome. Thank You!

Technical Details

Nikon Z7ii, 24-200mm @50mm f/9 1/4s iso 31, CPL
Single frame ICM, simple vertical motion

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Hey Lon,

All I can say about this is “fantastic!” I actually gasped when it rolled up on my phone.

To me, this is an excellent example of a straight up and down ICM. That is not to say that it feels “classic” in a “done before” way. Far from it. The breadth of the scene, the number of trees, the depth of the greens, brown-blacks, and the hint of blue sky: these elements combine to make this image both classic and unique.

If I were to really hunt for something that might make it better, it would be removing one short ghost strip of a trunk in the lower left. If you kept it there intentionally, please feel free to ignore my suggestion.

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ML

3

This definitely caught my eye as I scrolled through. It’s simple, but very pleasing. It feels rather dark. Was that your intent? If so, never mind my tweak. I wondered about brightening it; here’s my thought (brightened by increasing the “darks” in the parametric curve in ACR, then taking it off the grass at the bottom). Brightening it does give it a different mood that you don’t intend, though.

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1 Like
4

The original poster added a revised version of their image.

5

Thank you both @Marylynne_Diggs and @Bonnie_Lampley for your suggestions! I’ve added a revised image and details above.

Bonnie, I think a great example of how one might spend too long working an image and eventually you stop seeing things, even something as basic as luminosity. So thanks for the comment and suggestion!

6

I like the redo and the original. I hope you get more folks chiming in here.

ML

7

Lon,

I like how the grays from the BG match some of the grays in the trunks. The revision is nice.

8

This is a good one, Lon. I like the revision.

“…I think a great example of how one might spend too long working an image and eventually you stop seeing things, even something as basic as luminosity.” That’s why I try to wait a couple of days after I finish an image before sharing it anywhere.

9

Lon, the sense of dancing trees here is great. (In fact I’be tempted to title it as that.) The brightness of the revision enhances the feeling of joy.

10

Love the revision.

If you flip the original 180° you immediately see that stray trunk thing at the top.

Light-wise, lots of ways to go here: but all of them play up some aspect of the image that seem unexploited in the original.

Overall, lovely work and excellent ICM technique.

11

Thank you @Marylynne_Diggs , @Youssef_Ismail , @Don_Peters , @Mark_Seaver and @Gary_Hook for taking the time to comment. I’m glad the revised image works better. Thanks so much for the feedback!

12

Lon, as you know, I’m just getting started out in ICM and my techniques are not great so far. However, I can certainly appreciate when I see a great ICM and this is one of those images. What I like is that it’s readily identifiable as trees in a meadow. A lot of ICM’s are completely abstract and can bend the mind in absurd ways. Not this one. I love the blues of the rock walls in the background, and the green grasses in the meadow. You may have even toned the greens down because the greens we had on this trip were insane. I love the lit trees in the background which gives this more depth and dimension.
The revision works better in every way. Well done and nice to take those suggestions to heart. I’m anxious to go on another trip with you Lon and work more on ICM techniques. Can’t wait for Fall colors in Yosemite Valley in November.

1 Like
13

The original was great, but the revision is spot on. Well done.

Now that’s an interesting tip I haven’t heard before!