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Alan Brown's picture

Sunset in the forest

Recent result of experimenting with ICM in the forest. 15 second exposure (w/6 stop ND) stopping at various points in camera movement to allow an imprint of the trees on the sensor.
Processed in Lightroom, finished off in Topaz Studio to add some vitality.

All opinions welcomed, none are wrong.

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7 Comments

I like it.

I like the gradient overall from the orange to red. At first glance, since I know you like to see that, my eyes were torn between the blue at the top and the orange at the bottom, perhaps because they were the most vibrant in the image.

Thanks Matthew. Theoretically your eye should be drawn from the darker/contrasty area at the bottom up through the picture (following lines of trees) to the light area.

Do you feel your eyes bouncing Back & forth between the two?
Mine seem to go from lower right up though, perhaps jumping over to the left as they near the top.

My eye dose the flow you speak of, from dark to light. I think for me the blue/light is a little jarring; What would happen if you soften just the blue ares and removed their structure a little?

The dark and orange tones a long with those area's structure, I like a lot.

Hi Alan. I really enjoy this photo. It has a really nice feel, but for my eyes I was immediately drawn to the blue at the top and my eyes never really wandered away from it. Always landing back at the blue before fully exploring the image.

The gradient, like Matthew said, is a really nice transition and very soothing. The trees and brush come through nicely, and it creates a beautiful image.

Thanks for your input Chloe

Hi Alan,

Very Creative! I think the comments about the blue area are that people's eyes are looking for a subject. However, with abstract photography, the entire photo can be the subject. The forest at sunset, viewed differently, is the subject, yes? The dark area gives the photo the right balance with the blue light IMO.

Your composition doesn't really follow any rules - it's abstract. The lighting is interesting in that it creates a feeling of depth in the trees - it's abstract. Maybe a little darker at the bottom? Your call.

I can't give feedback on your technique because I have yet to learn it but I can say you created a compelling image. It causes the viewer to look and then look again, and again. Definitely, abstract!

Overall, I'd say it has impact which is a big part of what we want from abstract art.

Nice image. Congrats!

Ken