An older image I've just updated. I'd love to hear thoughts on this - I personally like the simplicity and graphical nature but I can understand how others may view differently.
All viewpoints and comments welcomed - what do you like/not like, what improvements could be made (if worthwhile).
Most of all, I'd like to understand the immediate first impression/gut feeling, the one you see BEFORE trying to analyze with your brain.
Thanks in advance.
Edit 6/28
After absorbing comments I have re-edited the image to something I feel is better. How do others view the changes?
Overall I like it. The first thing that stands out as something I might change would be to remove the dark patch under the tree. That is, of course, if you’re not opposed to using post processing to remove distractions.
Over all a nice, simple, minimalist image. Well done.
Thanks Jordan. I have considered removing that myself, and typically 'clean up' distractions as part of my workflow.
In this instance the 'dark patch' is the face of a rocky ledge and I fear it may detract from the image if removed. I may go ahead and lighten it so it does not draw the eye (now that you mention it).
There’s a whole dichotomy ongoing here with negative space, nature vs. man-made, shapes vs. lines. Very cool, Alan. I kinda want to hang a single red ornament off of the tree and fall on my ass trying to kick a football too. Did I just mix up my Charlie toons?
Thanks Robert, I hadn't considered hanging an ornament as one of my composition options - perhaps I could just PS one in... :-).
Thanks for your input.
I kind of like the outcropping and the way it combines with the shadows to lead to the fence.
Thanks Gil.
Overall, an appealing, "clean" image, Alan. Totally agree about the simplicity & graphical nature.
Two minor niggles strike me. That rock ledge looks like an extension of the tree trunk, so it creates some visual confusion for me, as if we are seeing through the snow, or there are two layers of snow separated by air.
Somehow, too, the symmetrical disposition of the tree and railing creates another niggle, despite their vastly different visual weight. I end up wanting to extend the image to the right, further beyond the railing. At the scene, I imagine possibly stepping back a few paces, and swinging the camera up and right a tad.
But these ARE only niggles. From Mr Asymmetry... ;-)
Thanks Chris, I may actually have some space on the right I can add for you. I always tend to leave a little room for fine tuning the crop, straightening etc.
Hey Chris, I do actually think your suggestion works - I do like the balance more. Thanks for the prod in that direction :-)
Impressions so initial they mostly don't make complete sentences:
Clean, stark, broken. Like the hurdle/hitching-post thingo. Drainage pipe opening and (line of trash bags?) in directly front of tree distracting.
(...er, you asked for it...?)
Later thoughts that mostly do make complete sentences:
I like the asymmetric directionality of the tree. Still like the gate/hurdle/whatever: it sort of pulls the eye to right and then sends it back to the tree. I like the sweeping lines of the snow curving up to the base, but am still distracted by the dark patches under the tree.
I generally like my blacks a little blacker, but I'd probably be wrong here.
Just noticed that the horizon slopes down slightly going away form the tree: that's subtle, but it adds a lot.
IM extremely HO, lightening the larger portion of the rock outcrop somewhat is probably a good idea, and it might be worth considering completely removing the small dark semi-circle that I mistook for a drainage pipe outlet.
Thanks Evelyn, I was considering removing the 'black circle'.
I can confirm there are no trash bags or drainage pipes involved in this image, just outcrops of rock that may give that appearance.
Thanks. :)
Again, those were my very initial thoughts, the ones taking place during that tiny sliver of a moment while my eyes and the visual brain were trying to hash out a decision as to what I was looking at. I never really thought it was trash bags, any more than I thought it was a weirdly dilapidated coffin, or some sort of very large baked good. I was considering whether it might make sense as a log when my eye accidentally picked up the comment about the rock outcrop.
I think those sort of of raw "proto-impressions" were what you were asking for. In retrospect, I maybe should have gone with the baked item... But it's only now I realize that, while coffee cake doesn't really fit the visual data, the dark patch could easily be a gigantic snow-going biscotto.
(And, if any of you are psychoanalysts, you now have far too much information about my inner psyche.)
I would have liked a bit more shadow reveal from the tree..that would lead my eyes back and forth from tree and structure! But an absolute cracking shot.
Thanks Anthony - your feedback is appreciated.
It is the sign of a good photograph when people get invested enough to provide critique!
And, like Chris, it is the perfectly placed tree and railing on the thirds that I would try to tweak. I don't mind the ledge.
:)
I guess with two 'disorderly' suggestions I'll have to look at a change in crop.
Thanks for the comment Ruth..
I have tweaked as per your/Chris's suggestion. Let me know how this sits with you.
Yes, that IS preferable, to my eye, Alan.
Also, blending that rock in with the snow has helped, enhancing the simplicity and graphic nature of the image to which you refer.
Thanks Chris - I see what you mean when comparing the enlarged image. I do think the composition s better balanced now, so thanks for the suggestion (and to Ruth in seconding....)
Agreed! This tiny tweak had big impact. It akways amazes me how that happens sometimes!
Hmm... not so tiny IMHO. Composition is critical.
Hi Alan. Sharing a thought at the risk of sounding amateurish. Knowing that man made fence is a deliberate part of composition, i was visualising the composition without that. 2nd revision of the image has a bit more grey sky. what if the sky is a bit more grey, tree is a little darker, with shadow on the white snow in a slight longer frame/proportion?
Please ignore if this goes a bit far. thanks.
Thanks Vijay. My attitude is that everyone has a right to express an opinion of what they see (as long as the intent is sincere) so there's no wrong answer or suggestion that may 'go a bit far'.
I have tried a few (other) variations on this. I think the fence object is needed for balance, but you are right that extra length om the right may help offset that somewhat.
A slightly darker sky may work (with added contrast to the tree), but I like the high-key aspect to this and maintain the stark contrast between tree/fence and other elements
Thanks for reviewing.