Just looking for sincere feedback from the trusted community on this. My usual (Pep Ventosa) technique for this type of work was employed but I limited the image set I had in order to preserve a sense of the background.
Thoughts? Does the background help or detract from the image. I am considering throwing back into PS and adding layers to diminish the background impact but before doing so I know I can count on helpful feedback from this group.
As always, no opinion can be wrong (unless left unexpressed).
Update #1
After reviewing the original I am left wondering what I was thinking of at the time. Following is the image (series) reprocessed. I am not sure if this is the final image (I like to sit on images for a while before reviewing with fresh eyes) but it is a lot closer to what I was after.
Hopefully, you will agree on the improvement but feel free to let me know if not!
Hi Alan. You're a glutton for punishment! I'm responding to your last parenthesis, since you insist. In this particular case, I find the repetition of forms e.g. clouds at right, mechanical and distracting.
This kind of manipulation of photographic images still doesn't provoke the reaction I get to arts that appeal, that have some grip on my imagination. Generally, I see little point in criticising something I don't "get", when other clearly do "get" it. Just because I hate Haydn, I don't think less of a person who likes his music, just puzzled. Similar thing here, except I don't dislike this imagery at all; it provokes no real reaction, which you might think is worst of all! I find it bland, where others might well see subtlety.
My preference for "straight" photography is arbitrary, not noble or superior. You did ask!
Thanks Chris, that's exactly why I ask and thank you for your honesty. Sometimes it takes a second set of eyes to notice what is missed after staring at an image for a while.
I think in attempting to preserve a sense of the background it has become too busy and as you correctly indicate repetitive (a function of camera movement).
I plan to head back in with a new set of eyes and reprocess.
You are right, I DID ask and would prefer honest feedback over silence any day (that is how we improve).
Although I'll continue to experiment I'll be balancing this with some 'straight' photography, hopefully more in line with your taste.
The look of the tree suits me but the background is really distracting. If it were up to me (of course it is not)!) I might mask out the tree (tricky I'm certain) and lay that ICM layer it over a single non-ICM background layer (or maybe two.)
Thanks Andrew, after stewing on this I tend to agree with both you and Chris. - back to the drawing board......
Hi Alan. Potentially, this is another one of your wonderful ‘dreamscape’ trees! But I think Chris and Andrew both make good points. The copied iterations of the trees and clouds making up the background seem just way too obvious and they do detract from the more subtle ‘visual trembling’ of the subject. I think the tree is plenty strong enough subject material on its own and doesn’t need the iterative shenanigans in the background! My favourite architect (Ludwig Mies van der Rohe) coined the phrase “less is more”. I think that applies here particularly. And as you say, diminishing the background intensity / visual competitiveness would help a great deal. Hope this didn’t come across the wrong way..?
Yes, I really can't disagree with any of the comments, and having such feedback makes me take a second look and see what I missed the first time around.
Typically my workflow ends with letting an image sit for a while, and then revisit with a fresh set of eyes. In some instances (like this one) I post a little too early and have to rely on the group for their honesty.
Listen, no advice is bad advice if sincere and meant to help. We can expect opinions to differ but understanding how others feel is really key to our growth. You should never feel bad about expressing your opinion if well-intended.
It is much more important to have a community that has a sincere desire to offer helpful opinions than one returning empty and insincere praise.
Hi Alan - I think that the background in this image would benefit from more processing as in your other images. I think it is too clear here. And the composition looks like it would lend itself well to your more abstract style. :)
Totally agree. I'm glad you guys keep me straight!