With bells on

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Yes, things are blooming again up this way and there are bees buzzing, frogs chirping and birds singing. And I have been out with the camera a little bit. Obviously this isn’t recent, but from January when I went on the bit of the Ice Age Trail that I volunteer to maintain. I have NO IDEA what these are, but I really want to find out. I need to walk it again to make sure no one needs to get out there with a chainsaw after the last ice storm, and it might be too early, but I’ll no doubt get out there a few times this year. It isn’t long and ends at the New Wood river which is RAGING right now - up to your waist for the next little while and a ford is not recommended. There will never be a bridge.

Specific Feedback

Anyway…I realize the undulations in the snow might be distracting, but that’s how it was - the wind often creates this kind of surface with the light fluffy stuff we get. I took several shots hoping to get the right focal distance to get most of the umbels in focus. Is it enough?

Technical Details

Handheld

Lr for all the processing including a crop and a lot of messing with shadows and color to bring up detail in the plant itself, while keeping the snow white. It was overcast so no blue sky reflection.


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1 Like

Kris: So aptly titled and superbly captured. I like the texture in the snow and think it adds a nice touch. Another great find from you and a very pleasing minimalist result. :+1: :+1:>=))>

Gorgeous capture, Kris. My only thought was it could be placed a little more to the left. I love the undulations in the snow - they set the sprig off.

Beautiful, Kris. I could see a bit more vertical crop, but the plant should hold its own in almost any aspect ratio. I don’t know how big those umbels are, but I’m thinking a saxifrage of some kind. In any case, they’re delightful. The little bit of weathering in the snow reminds me of growing up in Michigan with a coal furnace. After the first morning, the downwind snow didn’t look too great.

A new plant to me, but Picture This thinks it is Sidebells Wintergreen. I love the minimalist composition! No suggestions there. I love the texture in the snow and would bring it up even more. I wonder about pulling a bit more tonal detail out of the darks.

Comp is fine and one needs to examine the big version for the details present. Undulations in the snow are less apparent in the big version which is suitable for my taste. Well done…Jim

Did some poking around the web and I think I found your plant, Kris:

Thanks @Bill_Fach, @Dennis_Plank, @Diane_Miller & @Jim_Zablotny - glad it isn’t too awkward and strange. And bah! I should have thought of Shinleaf. We have some in the yard, but in a weird spot so I’ve never shot those particular plants, but I have done many years ago -