C&C Requested

[Sam]

Sometimes I end up with images I like, but everyone else seems to kinda, nod, look at me funny, mumble, and beat feet. Your at you little computers safe and sound, so ya don't need to mumble or anything, just give me your opinion.

Thanks!

Sam

[saurora]

I know the feeling Sam, same thing happens to me! Ok....I love dark mysterious shadows in black and white photography. In fact, I have left comments on threads suggesting that showing all the detail sometimes takes away from a shot. I also like very contrasty shots, which of course, produce dark shadows. I like this shot, the contrast throughout most of the shot is great, however......the shadows (particularly the large one in the foreground) show up on my monitor as totally black, large spots in an otherwise well-lit shot. They are way too distracting this way. Of course, this could be your intention?? The shadows just appear as having absolutely no detail whatsoever. Gosh........why do I feel like I'm on the whipping post? :scratch Try lightening the shadows somewhat, and I think it will improve dramatically. Love the clouds and sky!!! :D

[Sam]

Thanks Saurora! I see what you mean, but I didn't see it before posting. that's why it's always good to get a second opinion.

Sam

[pathfinder]

Sam, I think this is a shot of a tree and a sky, and thus, if it were my image, I would crop the bottom 1/4 or so and that would eliminate the big shadow in the foreground also.

Nice B&W -- I'd like to see more of the tree and the sky is all.

[DavidS]

I love the shot. Sorry, I'm not to good at critiquing yet, but I would like to have seen more of the landscape. I like the desolation it conveys. Just my opinion. I can see how it could go the other way as well though.

[Scott_Quier]

:agree with saurora about the distracting dark spot(s) and with pathfinder about cropping. Your horizon does a very nice job of splitting the image in half.

If you have the opportunity to reshoot, I think DavidS' comment about showing more of the landscape is very good. Show more of the desert in the foreground, less sky will achieve a very nice effect. As an alternative, if you have good clouds (like you did in this photo) less land, more sky will also work well.

[Richard]

Cool shot. If it weren't for the tree it could have come from the Mars Rover. Oh yeah, the clouds...never mind. I agree with cropping out enough from the bottom to eliminate the shadow.

Cheers,

[cadman342001]

Hi Sam,

I really like the tree and the texture of the rocks, smoothed by the wind.

I would agree, maybe crop the bottom 1/4 off to get the horizon away from the middle and more in line with the rule of 1/3s but if a reshoot was on the cards would like to see the view beyond the rock i.e. the desert/whatever beyond, from a slightly higher POV with the focal point still on the tree trunk.

Andy

[Sam]

I want to thank everyone for thier input. I have processed a different image of this subject, which addresses the bottom in spot on the first version. Just to confuse things a bit more, Do you prefer the B&W, or the color?

Sam

[Sam]

Here is the color.

[Atrucker]

The second version in B&W is the best of the lot. Some may not like the slightly OOF foreground but it's a technique I've used many times.

[junglejim]

FWIW I think I like the B/W. It makes for a much more dramatic image. I like the tree close up better by far:thumb

Jim

[troutstreaming]

FWIW I think I like the B/W. It makes for a much more dramatic image. I like the tree close up better by far:thumb

Jim:thumb

[erich6]

The B&W is by far better. The graphic elements are much more pronounced in the B&W.

I don't like the soft focus on the foreground of the second shot. The first one with the suggested crops should look great.

The only thing I would try to do is drop the highlights a bit on the first shot. The bright spots off the rocks are just a bit too much for me....

Erich