Below are several recent ICM shots I took while on vacation. The first one is from a sunset, using a typical side to side movement pattern. The second two are done differently. I am curious if anyone can figure out how I took them. The last two are done closer to the "traditional" method. I am still new at this, so I would appreciate any kind of critique, comments, or encouragements. I am also curious to see if any of these evoke emotions.
The only opinion that is wrong is the one that stays silent.
-Alan Brown
The first is definitely my favorite! Love the layers of color. It's just beautiful to me. Very calming.
I love the the colors and movement of the 2nd and 3rd but feel there's just a bit too much black on the lower portions of each, kind of like a void.
The 4th is my least favorite. I feel the diagonal direction of the road takes away from the horizontal elements. Had the road been level with the grass and trees I feel it would have added another nice band of color.
The 5th is great! Love the energy!
Keep up the good work!
The first is my favorite as well! I wasn't sure about the black on two and three, but I do have other options. I actually darkened all of that with local edits to remove the detail, but I may try a version with a bit more detail. I definitely see what you mean about the road, but I like it myself. Finally, thank you for commenting.
Hi Matthew, thanks for sharing. Your skills are definitely progressing.
It's difficult to see details in the shadow area of 2 & 3 (I think they suffer a little because of that but I would guess you have used an angled motion, perhaps even pausing at different points (if not, something you should try...).
I like to capture & retain the essence of the subject in my own ICM's, so prefer #4 over #5 (#4 tells the story, #5 pure absract).
The main thing to consider is that this type of work is REALLY subjective so you can expect lots of different opinions. The ONLY one that matters though is your own.
BTW - thanks for referencing my quote - I feel honored that someone actually took that to heart.
Thank you very much for your kind words! In numbers two and three I had removed the shadow detail because the field below was distracting to the image, but I may bring it back. You are not quite right on the method for those, but you are on the right track. To give you a hint, it was a technique that Ruth made a post on a while back. I see what you mean about #4 and #5 and I do agree with you on that.
I have loved that quote since I first read it. It really captures the essence of what I'm looking for.