Yosemite Granite and Trees

Critique Style: Standard

The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.

Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive

About This Image

I’m getting back to some of my images taken on the Yosemite meetup some of the members had in May that I had placed in a folder and forgot about. As many of you know we had weather the entire trip but it turns out that the kind of weather we had, rainy, overcast, foggy, cold, and wet made some terrific opportunities to capture mood just about everywhere. I had to leave the night before the final day of our trip and I missed out on the epic light and fog that most of you have seen from Steve, John and Lon.
This image is a crop from a landscape made into a portrait. I love the landscape version as well but I think the portrait whittles down some of the frame that might be un-necessary.
I first noticed the two pines poking out of the fog on one of the granite cliff faces and as I zoomed in I then noticed the dead tree trunk in the center of those two pines.

Feedback Requested

I would like to receive your input on the mood, the framing, and the visual appeal of this image.

Technical Details

Camera: z9
Lens: 180-600mm
Focal length: 480mm
Shutter speed: 1/500
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 1000
Flash: none
Hand Held

David, I like the composition with the ridge line avoiding the corners of the image.A lot of mystery here, wondering whether the BG is another cliffside and how far it continues up into the veil. Well done.

David it is a striking image, and I love the mood you conveyed. The two pine trees are central, but supported well by the rock visually. The little bit of mist is a nice touch. I think your composition is perfect. Food for thought, dropping the contrast in the bottom 25% to soften that area a little, it really catches my eye (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).