The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I love walking in the forest and was struck by how the low light subtly accentuated the varying tonal range of the trees. The ascending lines of the tree in front of and flow to the right of the larger background trees caught my attention.
Specific Feedback
I know the scene is a little busy on the edges; however, for me it helps to frame the ascending lines of the tree in front and the larger trees in the background. I think I can break this “rule” due to the strength of the difference in tonal range of the foreground tree and the larger trees in the background. But, perhaps I am being biased as it is challenging to create images in Illinois woodlands in Winter.
In addition to the above, I am looking for general feedback on the composition. I tried a tighter crop to eliminate the branches on the left and right edges but personally, I liked the flow better of this crop.
Technical Details
I didn’t have my tripod in the fading light so I shot this at a higher ISO to get the shutter speed I needed.
ISO 1600, 186mm, f/16, 1/200 sec
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:
I really like this, Bill. The lighter and darker trunks give this image a lot of depth imho. The subdued colors are pleasing to my eye. Since you were concerned about maybe different crops, I was going to download the image and play around with it, but for some reason, I can’t download, so can’t help you there. Looks like there might have been a limb closer to you that’s oof. Look to the right side of the darker rh bg tree.
Interesting and lovely, with a strong composition! Gorgeous subtle colors and I love how the trees just keep going in the distance and merge to fill in all the space. I don’t have any suggestions about the crop – it’s fine to me. The OOF FG twig might be minimized with a careful mask to tone down its warmer color and increase the contrast – it could almost disappear. Or this new AI stuff might remove it very nicely if you’re into that.
Fascinating image Bill. It took me a minute to sort out the different lines and how they are playing together.
I see your question about the busy edges. For me, the upper left corner does grab the eye more than optimal, but I really like the tree behind it so this may be the best option.
I really like that background. It is never-ending chaos that really comes together for a nice backdrop. This looks like a great forest to keep playing with. (In my mind’s eye, if I crop out the ligther-colored foreground tree I think the darker trees and background are another nice option.)
@John_Williams@Diane_Miller@Michael_Lowe Thank you for the feedback and kind words. I did revise the image to get rid of the OOF FG twig. Sticks out like a sore thumb once you see it!
I couldn’t get close to the tree as it was down in a valley and I was on a hillside with a lot of trees to try and shoot through. I did use AI to get rid of the OOF FG twig. When the weather cooperates, I will go back and reshoot it with my tripod and focus stack it.
I enjoy this photograph. Really well seen, as almost everybody would walk past this. I am invited into the scene by the fingers of the limbs saying “oh don’t look past” … like a tease. But looking past the fingers the light colored tree in thee woods holds my eye. If you had not maintained a subdued palette, non of this would have worked. Fine art!
I like this image. I feel that the dark tree on the left half is the central idea in this image. I think that had you moved a bit to the right and shot the white branches in front of that tree and avoided the closer trees next to the frame, and made a vertical or square, you could have had a stronger composition. I think you have a good concept for an image but could use some refining.
Hello @Igor_Doncov, thank you for your input. Unfortunately there was only a small opening through the tree branches to get this image. I had to work a while to get an unobstructed view. But I hear you and do appreciate the input.
Hi Bill,
This is a beautiful image. I love the color palette and the graceful lines. The diagonals give it just enough energy but not so much as to make it chaotic. The upper left grabs my eye still a bit, as John said, and I think it’s the nearer branch (the oof one), and perhaps, if it is within your practice, it could be clone/healed/removed and replaced with color texture of the one behind it.
Regardless, we’re just nit-picking here. It’s a lovely image, well titled, and really well seen.
ML
I really am grateful for NPN and the people who take the time to provide feedback It is very nice to hear from people that provide constructive feedback even if the presented aesthetic may differ from their own. Kudos to you all!
