# Warm sun, cool mist **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** editors-pick, landscape\ **Created:** [May 4, 2024, 11:14am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115 "2024-05-04T11:14:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gerard](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gerard/32/66401_2.png) [@gerard](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/gerard)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 11:14am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/1 "2024-05-04T11:14:42Z")
![Morning light in flooded birch forest.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/c/d/cd785c997ece733ff1492847ebb673d936f197e5.jpeg) ![Morning light in flooded birch forest 2.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/5/d5c9d0d9256c7681a2ae32579eebaec69384110f.jpeg) ![Morning light in flooded birch forest 4.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/b/8/b86cebd412b0312d08a266e80032ee891c96f83f.jpeg) ![Morning light in flooded birch forest 5.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/8/9/892dfbe79ee4184a5015c3ba3fa53ca380b823a0.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description This is a series of images I made this morning in a flooded dune birch forest. Water tables have been excessively high this winter, due to high amounts of rainfall. There was a tiny amount of lingering mist. ### Specific Feedback Though made within 15 min of each other and from roughly a stretch of 30 meters along the edge of the forest, each image is different, as you’ll see. I would like your feedback about which one you feel is strongest in terms of light and composition. ### Technical Details All images made with my OM System OM-1 with 2.8/40-150mm pro lens, set at focal lengths between 40 and 125mm. All exposures at ISO 200 and f/8 and shutter speeds between 1/6-1/30 sec. I used a tripod for all exposures. * * * ### Critique Template Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas. - Vision and Purpose: - Conceptual: - Emotional Impact and Mood: - Composition: - Balance and Visual Weight: - Depth and Dimension: - Color: - Lighting: - Processing: - Technical: ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 2:27pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/2 "2024-05-04T14:27:51Z")
What a wonderful study of changing light in a fantastic setting. The first is my favorite! There is some magic light going on there, with a lovely composition! The second is also very nice but I wonder about a crop to remove the brighter tree on the left. The third feels a bit unbalanced but I can’t say why – maybe that it’s just so different from the others. The last is also beautiful but I long to see more above frame and a little less at the base. The bright light on the tree at the left pulls my eye – maybe tone it down a bit? Or this one could also be strong with a crop from the left to just exclude that trunk, and some off the bottom. You found a wealth of wonderful images that day!! ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_Murphy](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@Ronald\_Murphy](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ronald_Murphy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 3:07pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/3 "2024-05-04T15:07:12Z")
Great set of images. I rather like #3; the light on the far trees is nicely warm, and there is still a hint of mist. I guess one could clone or AI away that branch intruding from above in the upper right ---
**Author:** ![Bonnie\_Lampley](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bonnie_lampley/32/4825_2.png) [@Bonnie\_Lampley](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bonnie_Lampley)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/4 "2024-05-04T19:07:20Z")
What a wonderful series! In terms of light and composition, my preference is #3. My first impression was a feeling of the surreal. It’s the contrast between that strong, dark foreground tree with the light background trees. #1 is lovely, but more traditional - rather static to me. The light is gorgous, though. #2 is beautiful, too, although that bright tree on the left gives this a sense of unbalance. #4 seems a lot like #1, with brighter light. To my eye, the brights are too bright in #4, though. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/michael_lowe/32/7118_2.png) [@Michael\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Michael_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/5 "2024-05-04T20:01:39Z")
All are very nice. The second is my favorite. Misty shots are my favorites usually. Number 3 I feel is the weakest. The light is great but I feel the dark FG tree is a little too dominant. ---
**Author:** ![gerard](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gerard/32/66401_2.png) [@gerard](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/gerard)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 11:33am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/6 "2024-05-05T11:33:12Z")
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments, @Diane_Miller@Bonnie_Lampley @Ronald_Murphy and @Michael_Lowe Even though it seems that there are as many preferences are there are respondents, I have learned to look more carefully at the distribution of brightness and the way the eye is attracted to bright places, or trees in this case. I agree that the brights in #4 are too bright, and that was also the point at which I stopped. The left tree is indeed overpowering because of its brightness level, even though I already toned it down. The most interesting image was #2, where I hadn’t even looked at the tree on the left myself. I just thought that I wanted to included that lovely reflected bow, but failed to notice that including that light tree would distract from the lovely early orange on the most important group. I made a crop to remove it, and I think it is indeed stronger: ![Morning light in flooded birch forest 2 crop](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/2/6/26abf8581f13692ef8b0ed72d37188311673b0cf.jpeg) Regarding the tree in #3, I didn’t think it was overpowering, since it was quite a thin trunk and still largely in the shade but receiving the first spots or orange. To me, it sort of conveys a message that good things come as long as you’re patient… 😉 Thanks again for taking the time to comment!! Gerard ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 2:09pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/7 "2024-05-05T14:09:40Z")
I like the crop, but I also think you could darken and slightly warm that tree on the left in the original crop. Both are lovely images! Having the main group slightly off-center was a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@Ed\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 4:27pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/8 "2024-05-05T16:27:57Z")
Gerard, All four images are quite lovely with number two being my clear favorite. I love the peaceful vibe with the fog and I think you nailed it with your repost. The soft light on the birch trunks is exquisite and I love that you were able to catch some reflections as well. Print this large and hang it on your wall! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Williams](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/john_williams/32/28797_2.png) [@John\_Williams](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/John_Williams)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/9 "2024-05-05T17:16:43Z")
Number two for me too Gerard; it has such a lovely mood. I also really like the first image too. ---
**Author:** ![gerard](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gerard/32/66401_2.png) [@gerard](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/gerard)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 5:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/10 "2024-05-05T17:22:35Z")
Thanks so much @Ed_Lowe and @John_Williams My personal favourite was #1, but with #2 as a close second, with or without the crop. I’ll do some more work on balancing that tree on the left @Diane_Miller ! Best, Gerard ---
**Author:** ![Igor\_Doncov](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/igor_doncov/32/579_2.png) [@Igor\_Doncov](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Igor_Doncov)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/11 "2024-05-05T18:44:54Z")
Number 1 is my clear favorite. There is a mystery about it that suggests more than what it is. I also like the second one. It’s more subtle and takes time to warm up to. Those two images are so different that it’s hard to compare one with the other. ---
**Author:** ![gerard](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gerard/32/66401_2.png) [@gerard](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/gerard)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 5:22am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/12 "2024-05-06T05:22:33Z")
Thanks for this, Igor! It exactly reflects my own feelings, although I couldn’t quite put it into words at first. The composition of #1 is pretty straightforward but perhaps because of that also ‘effortless’, and the quality of the light is a magical combination of warm and cold. It is thus my personal favorite. Image #2 is indeed more subtle, which I also like. I missed the slightly distracting effect of the light birch trunk on the left though, so I’m going to see if I can tone it down a bit. ---
**Author:** ![james7](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/eada6e/32.png) [@james7](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/james7)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/13 "2024-05-06T15:35:14Z")
Love them all Gerard but like No. 2 the best for its mysterious tone and just the slightest light on a couple of trunks. Also has a great sense of beauty inaccessible, as you can’t wander in this flooded place, however inviting. Easy to picture this one printed large and set off by a picture light on a wall. ---
**Author:** ![gerard](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gerard/32/66401_2.png) [@gerard](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/gerard)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/14 "2024-05-06T17:50:16Z")
Thanks James! This flooding is indeed very special, as you say. The water is more than wellington-boot deep, and still quite cold… I have been waiting for the first light on these birches before, but then there was no mist, and that does make a difference! Cheers, Gerard ---
**Author:** ![Igor\_Hoveijn](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/igor_hoveijn/32/76386_2.png) [@Igor\_Hoveijn](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Igor_Hoveijn)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/15 "2024-05-06T18:44:11Z")
Number two was my favourite from the very beginning. The suggested crop made it more coherent indeed. My only suggestion is to add a tiny little bit of contrast to the foliage (TK!), but without spoiling the subtlety of the colours. Great image and series. ---
**Author:** ![james7](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/eada6e/32.png) [@james7](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/james7)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/16 "2024-05-06T18:57:09Z")
Hey Gerard where were these shot? ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 8:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/17 "2024-05-06T20:48:55Z")
Hi Gerard, The first two are my favorites. They both have an ethereal quality that is missing in the third and fourth. For me, there is a simplicity to the first two; the other two have a fair number of limbs reflected in water, creating more lines and making the image feel less cohesive overall. if I had to pick between 1 and 2, I think I would take 1 for the light, and then I would cheat and pick 2 for the cool mistiness of it. I would be curious about a slight crop off the top of number 2. Something along the lines of this (a quickie screenshot crop). I also like the re-crop above, but still with a tish more off the top. Top crop, slight left/right crop: ![Screenshot 2024-05-06 135107d](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/e/f/ef0b75463aff1b9b8c77ffd09a6f46251bd3f839.png) More Crop from Sides and Top: ![Screenshot 2024-05-06 135107b](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/b/9/b9ff57d63f4ff43d092383442657d94a8e99de17.png) Nice work. ML ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Peters](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/don_peters/32/87970_2.png) [@Don\_Peters](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Don_Peters)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 10:28pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/18 "2024-05-07T22:28:15Z")
I missed this until now. It’s a terrific set of images. I prefer the first and second, in that order. ---
**Author:** ![Ben\_van\_der\_Sande](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/ben_van_der_sande/32/5511_2.png) [@Ben\_van\_der\_Sande](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ben_van_der_Sande)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/19 "2024-05-08T14:43:25Z")
Gerard, the first one says the most . Especially the light. It’s a dreamy image. So well made. ---
**Author:** ![gerard](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gerard/32/66401_2.png) [@gerard](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/gerard)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115/20 "2024-05-08T15:29:26Z")
Hey James, These images were made in the coastal dune reserve near the villages Bergen and Bergen aan Zee in The Netherlands. Ten minutes from my house 😊 Best Gerard [Next page](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/warm-sun-cool-mist/41115.md?page=2)