The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Groomed trails are SO MUCH easier to walk with snowshoes. This system is made for fat tire bikes, but so long as you aren’t digging into the surface, you can hike them, too. Just keep an eye out for those speedy bikes.
I am a sucker for a good trail shot and this one made me stop because of all those lines and the geometry of the aspect ratio. The sun was low and the shadows long and the straightness of the trees and their shadows contrasted nicely with the curvy trail. I like using my medium telephoto for these because of the additional compression I get.
Specific Feedback
I did some clean up, but left many smaller elements like sticks and saplings. Should more go? Also, the B&W conversion was not tricky, but it was contrasty so hard to get nuance, but I did try. Bluebird sky.
Lr for all processing including the monochrome conversion and the slight crop. Global and local adjustments to bring up detail in shadowy areas and to ease up on the contrast. WB & Calibration adjustments to get the colors right before the change to B&W. Texture, clarity and a little sharpening.
This is spectacular, Kris. I like it for all of the reasons you mention: the shadows and trees, both linear but in opposite directions, the curve of the path. I also like the left edge of the path in shade, as it creates an illusion (is it raised, recessed?) It’s very 3D.
Regarding your question about the sticks and saplings, I did a quickie markup of a screenshot for the ones I think could go and would improve the overall impact of the image. They grab the eye due to their size, location in the frame, etc. The others, surrounded by tree trunks, blend in just fine in my opinion.
Hi Kris,
This turned out really nice. I am loving all of the vertical and horizontal lines in this winter scene. For my personal tastes they contrast beautifully with that graceful S curve path through the snow. My only suggestion mirrors that of @Marylynne_Diggs about the three sticks in the image. I can see why you stopped to capture this scene. Beautifully done.
A captivating image Kirsten. I love the shadow play on the white snow. Good exposure without blowing out all that white. Just the tree trunks retains the linear focus. Altogether a wonderful winter scene. I only have one small suggestion: to eliminate the last thin tree stock as it crowds the larger trunk aside it.
I really like the compression imparted by the longer focal length. The S curve really draws you on. I agree with @Marylynne_Diggs about the twig removal. Nicely done.
Great shot and black and white treatment. Agree with the additional stick removal. My eye was drawn to the stick in the lower left corner immediately, distracting from the real subject. Love the shadow on the S-curve!
Ah Marylynne - you noticed the fun bit! Yes, the trails are packed down by the groomer and so are recessed and the light bounces around in there beautifully, an effect I tried to enhance with some judicial masking to make it sort of glow, which it actually does.
We got a few more inches the other day so I’m planning to head out on Monday when I might get some decent light and the winds will be calmer.
I really like this picture. I was drawn to it the minute I saw it. It doesn’t even look like a trail but something alive - like a ghost passing between the trees. I love how that curve changes the feel of the picture and the horizontal and vertical lines. Really wonderful.
Very nice image, Kris. Black and White definitely fits the scenic composition. The side light creating the shadows draws the eye to more horizontal lines, while the trail in its S-curve draws the eyes from bottom to top. I do like the newly edited version and agree with the removal of some of the twigs.
Nice contrast and clarity throughout the image.
Thanks @tamar-aharony ~ @Todd_Grivetti & @kathrin - glad it resonated with you. I love a windy trail and those shadows knocked me out. Your interpretation, Tamar, is especially interesting and I’d never have thought about it that way so I appreciate the perspective. And yeah, those sticks did have to go, didn’t they?
The repost is fantastic. I agree with Tamar that it vibrates with life. That recessed and/or raised line contributes to the effect. Something pulsating and winding.
Kris, the mix of horizontal and vertical lines with the outstanding S curve through the middle looks great. I also really how the snow texture changes along the track edge. The big twig near the right front is the only one that bothers me. I do see the mtn. bike tracks.
This works a treat in black and white and I do prefer the tidied up version, as the extra saplings probably detract rather than enhance. Love the S - Bend path in the snow and the harsh light makes for a great graphic presentaition with the horizontal shadows and vertical trees.
Thanks again @Marylynne_Diggs and also @Youssef_Ismail ~ @Mark_Seaver & @Ian_Cameron - winter is still here and I’m getting my photo mojo back so might have more for you if I still go out tomorrow. Black and white does well with this kind of light, but it may be more cloudy tomorrow, we will see.
That’s just a wonderful mix of lines Kris, and the s-curve bending through it is a wonderful icing on an already delicious cake. It’s an optical puzzle that’s really fun to poke around in. I do like it better with the bits removed. Well done.
