# Yellowstone Bacterial Mat **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** abstract\ **Created:** [October 17, 2023, 1:47am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/yellowstone-bacterial-mat/37516 "2023-10-17T01:47:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bonnie\_Lampley](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bonnie_lampley/32/4825_2.png) [@Bonnie\_Lampley](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bonnie_Lampley)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:47am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/yellowstone-bacterial-mat/37516/1 "2023-10-17T01:47:29Z")
![BL_GrPrism_BactMat1.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/c/d/cde88979ecccc45413e16a60bdb9cdde172346f7.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description Another intimate detail of bacterial mats in the thermal features of Yellowstone. One has to stop and really look to appreciate the other-worldliness of these. ### Specific Feedback Any comments welcome. I’m good with this as is, but if you have suggestions, I’m open. ### Technical Details ![Screen Shot 2023-10-16 at 6.42.05 PM](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/6/e/6ee5dff7dd6d4353115d1f7de1cd13e1adf31464.png) Processed in ACR; basic exposure adjustments, cropped. ---
**Author:** ![Matt\_Payne](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/matt_payne/32/76789_2.png) [@Matt\_Payne](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Matt_Payne)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:58am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/yellowstone-bacterial-mat/37516/2 "2023-10-17T01:58:43Z")
This is super! I can’t tell what the scale is and that makes me happy! Nicely done! ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 3:14pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/yellowstone-bacterial-mat/37516/3 "2023-10-17T15:14:09Z")
This is cool, Bonnie. I find myself drawn more to the features on the bottom of the pool with their softness and glow. It makes me almost feel like brushing away the surface mats which are very artful in and of themselves. I don’t know whether you intended that competition for the viewer’s attention or not. Personally, I would love it if there were some way of separating the two. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Seaver](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_seaver/32/231_2.png) [@Mark\_Seaver](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Seaver)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/yellowstone-bacterial-mat/37516/4 "2023-10-17T20:18:20Z")
Bonnie, I like the mix of lines and “bubbles”. You’ve got good detail throughout in a well balanced comp. As a very minor nit, there’s a whitish “stick” at the top that feels a bit out of place. ---
**Author:** ![Bonnie\_Lampley](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bonnie_lampley/32/4825_2.png) [@Bonnie\_Lampley](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bonnie_Lampley)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2023, 12:02am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/yellowstone-bacterial-mat/37516/5 "2023-10-18T00:02:31Z")
Thanks, @Matt_Payne, @Dennis_Plank, and @Mark_Seaver. > [@Dennis\_Plank](#): > > I find myself drawn more to the features on the bottom of the pool with their softness and glow. It makes me almost feel like brushing away the surface mats which are very artful in and of themselves. I don’t know whether you intended that competition for the viewer’s attention or not. I have to agree, Dennis, that the features on the bottom are more interesting to me than the parts at the surface. I couldn’t get close enough to get just the underwater bits, though. > [@Mark\_Seaver](#): > > As a very minor nit, there’s a whitish “stick” at the top that feels a bit out of place. I should have seen that!! Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Alfredo\_Mora](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/alfredo_mora/32/42826_2.png) [@Alfredo\_Mora](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Alfredo_Mora)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2023, 1:38pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/yellowstone-bacterial-mat/37516/6 "2023-10-18T13:38:08Z")
A well balanced abstract image Bonnie. I like the framing and the effect of peering beyond the surface to a hidden world. The bottom of the pool reminds me of nebula. I’m glad you didn’t try to get much closer. Those thermal spots are quite dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/yellowstone-bacterial-mat/37516/7 "2023-10-18T18:42:16Z")
This is wonderful and fascinating! I can guess what it might be, in general, but knowing it is some sort of reality is not important – it is a wonderful abstract and delightful to explore. The colors are perfect! ---
**Author:** ![Dick\_Knudson](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dick_knudson/32/60742_2.png) [@Dick\_Knudson](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dick_Knudson)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/yellowstone-bacterial-mat/37516/8 "2023-10-19T17:48:38Z")
Fascinating! I had to decide if I was OK with the haziness and found that I liked bringing out the detail below the surface, which resulted in another interesting treatment of this scene. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Peters](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/don_peters/32/87970_2.png) [@Don\_Peters](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Don_Peters)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 1:53am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/yellowstone-bacterial-mat/37516/9 "2023-11-06T01:53:56Z")
The longer I looked, the more I liked it. ---
**Author:** ![Bonnie\_Lampley](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bonnie_lampley/32/4825_2.png) [@Bonnie\_Lampley](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bonnie_Lampley)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 8:13pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/yellowstone-bacterial-mat/37516/10 "2023-11-07T20:13:36Z")
Looks like I never revisited this after reworking it. Thanks, @Alfredo_Mora, @Diane_Miller, @Dick_Knudson, and @Don_Peters.