The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I shot this back in November – early morning fog just clearing after a rain. I’m betting it was better a few minutes before I came upon it, with the lingering mist thicker.
Specific Feedback
All comments welcome!
Technical Details
Contrast tweaked in LR and then a little more local contrast in PS. Topaz Denoise.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I love this Diane. Beautiful colour palette of soft browns and golds. The tree shapes themselves are wonderful. Finding composition in this sort of place would be quite difficult for me. The sunlight on the tops of the grass is the icing on the cake.
What a beautiful scene you captured with the light and atmosphere dancing between the oaks. Fantastic color without being “Velvia’zed”! For me the triangle foreground of grass is a distraction and does not add to the image. My brain wants it to be level. I do like the highlights in the grass, though. I tend to like organization, sometimes too much so. I also think @John_Williams frame helps with regards to the foreground. I bet you did not have to stray far from home to capture this one!
Oh my goodness, that light! Gorgeous! Love the hazy, early morning mood and the way the light beams come in at a different angle from the sloped foreground, which adds a dynamic element to an otherwise soft, peaceful image. Wonderful!
I agree. The foreground gives you a sense you’re looking upwards. It’s also very relatable because you get this perspective often when going for a walk.
This is beautiful Diane! These are those fleeting “moments in time” that become timeless - or at least great memories of just being out in nature, on a hike or a stroll…
I couldn’t agree more. While the “triangle” of foreground feels a little odd - or possibly feeling like it should be level, I think the angle makes me feel exactly like I’m walking in the hills and this is just like how it is - when is a hill actually level? I think it’s also important you have retained detail in those hillside grasses.
Aside from the angled foreground, the light/highlights are just spectacular. And the oaks just starting to leaf out really catch that light and complete the scene. A little mist isn’t hurting either.
I was looking up a pretty steep hill and one that falls off to the right – the camera was level but aimed up. That’s what the hill was, and just happenstance that the slope somewhat matches the drooping limbs. I added a frame, and then tried some distortion, pulling down the LL corner and think it’s OK. I might crop in a little from the left on that one as the limbs are starting to feel a little stretched there. Some fiddling posted above.
It’s the last leaves hanging on in late November – brown but getting some backlight. Keith, good guess – you are well familiar with the fleeting nature of the mist on a cold clear morning in this area after a rain!
Diane, just gotta love the sunlit tree canopy here. I like it as presented. As always there are other options to experiment with as reviews & ideas are being shared…
I prefer the ground not levelled. I like the border, but wonder if you put a simple “bevel” around the image would it hold the image in at the lighter parts? I’m a sucker for drop shadows.
Leveled ground doesn’t work nearly as well for me. I’m not sure why. The white border creates a well defined triangle that really adds to the composition. Comparing different compositions with and without the border is difficult. I like the off balance look that the triangle provides. I guess I find that instability to be creative.
Thanks, @Paul_Breitkreuz, @glennie and @Igor_Doncov! I should have done a a frame on the “leveled” one for comparison – added above. Glennie, I love drop shadows too and love what @John_Williams did. Makes it all jump off the page as it were. I didn’t take the extra minute to do it, but should have. I did darken the left edge just a little to give some separation from the frame.
I’m delighted it is getting some brain cells stirred up!
Wow – thanks, @John_Williams, @David_Haynes, @Bret_Edge, @Ed_Lowe and @Michael_Lowe – what a delightful surprise to see the EP! Landscapes account for so little of what I take time to do that I have to attribute any success to luck. I’m not often noted for patience and persistence.
I think it’s also important you have retained detail in those hillside grasses.