The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive
About This Image
Eastern Sierra photographers eventually find out the painful truth: The magnificent mountain wall and jagged crest, so much fun to shoot at sunrise, are hopelessly backlit at sunset. This is not to say it’s impossible to get a good sunset shot from Owens Valley, but it takes some thoughful positioning. That said, the sunsets with silhouetted mountains are fun and satisfying, however simple. This image is almost minimalist, but I’ve always liked it.
Feedback Requested
Three elements, period. Does it work? Assuming the shot has merit, how should it be cropped? I have other shots with a lot more of the mountain crest. And others with the cloud closer to Mount Whitney. I made sure there was no detail in the mountain wall – just the silhouette. Too much black? I didn’t try to saturate the sky, but could have.
James, I like this. Its simplicity is a plus. The color and tone of the cloud seems just right.
I played with this and found that there was some detail in the black foreground. You might consider bringing it out. As for a crop, here’s my suggestion.
James, I think the silhouetted wall of mountains (very jagged!) is set off very well by the single, colorful cloud. It does make a fine, minimalist view
Like many others mention, its simplicity is very pleasing. Yet possibly less so in total silhouette. The second version with a hint of detail in the mountains just gives me a little bit more sense of place without impacting too greatly on its graphic and pleasing simplicity.
Thanks Ian – over darkening the silhouette appears to be a poor choice in retrospect. I’ll be up there again soon. Maybe look at shooting some HDRs when the sky colors start, as they often do, and the mountains are in deep shadow.
Does it work? Absolutely!!! I personally vote for your original. The graphic nature and impact - I would say is classic Eastern Sierra. I’d go so far as to mention John Muir’s quote, “The Range of Light.”
I feel and know exactly what you’re referring to regarding sunsets in the Eastern Sierra; maybe with the right angle and the use of “alpen glow” can you get anything… but straight sunsets, forget it. Going silhouette is the way to go.
IMHO, adding back even a hint of detaili is not enought… If I want to see the granite spiress and snow fields… I want to see them, not see hints of them. Hope that makes sense.
The cloud? bring on Galen…
Could you shave a little off the bottom? I suppose, there’s a lot of empty space. but at this point is really a matter of what you might want to do with the photograph? A slight pano could be pretty cool.
Much appreciated Lon.
Probably seeing the similar and iconic Galen Rowel image long ago influenced my composition!
God bless all who seek Eastern Sierra photo nirvana!
The photo as a deep silhouette with that single colorful cloud makes this photo quite artistic. In fact anyone who has spent any time on the east side would recognize Mnt. Whitney even in silhouette. But even if the peak was not recognized, the dark silhouette still makes for a fine photo. I would not crop at all. Then what @Don_Peters suggested with bringing in some detail does give the photo a more landscape photo feel and somewhat less artistic flare. Either way it is engaging.
