Another image taken at a mountainside brook in the midst of winter. My goal was to capture the contrast between stark ice and flowing water in an interesting composition.
I have mixed emotions and would love to hear other thoughts of this image.
What to especially like/dislike, do you have suggestions on how it might be improved? Does it evoke any feeling?
Thanks in advance for your feedback - all comments whether positive or negative will be treated as gifts (as opportunity to improve).
I think thats a pretty solid picture, the flowing water onto the ice looks great, nice and ghostly. Im not sure how practicle it would be but maybe a bit more dark tones like the diagonal thats already there? Excellent picture though, it is apealing to my eye.
This is a so-called high key picture and I wouldn't change a thing as far as tones are concerned. It's beautiful.
Is it possible to get more of that curve?
Thanks for the helpful response Thorsten. I'm not sure how I can improve the curve without it looking overly processed but I'll try.
No, I didn't mean processing, but taking a wider shot or a slightly different composition. Post processing is good as it is.
Be careful though, no point in getting injured for a picture.
This is what i was trying (unsuccessful) to ask Thorsten.
Agree with all posts! It IS beautiful, but more of Thorsten's curve would help, although that inherently involves tonal adjustments. Too much "kills" that pleasing high-key look, so emphasising the curve involves compromise.
Here's an attempt. I've included a little more of the area in the bottom middle inside Thorsten's curve, which strays close to the image boundary. I'm not sure if mine loses mood, or looks fakey.
Thanks for looking at this Chris, I'll give that a try.
Interesting shot Alan.
I think, based on your goal of capturing the contrast between the water and ice, you could have gone in closer. There are a number of parts of the image where you can do this, in accordance with the idea of getting rid of absolutely everything you don't need. I've attached a wee crop of what I consider to be the key part of the image.
As it is, it's a beautiful photograph. But to me it's more about the shape of the ice rather than the contrast between it and the water. It's about the fluffy, cumulous-like forms and the subtle tonal variations.
I hope that makes sense. I'm curious to know what your mixed emotions are.
Thanks David. I still like the wider shot but may well revisit and take some more intimate shots. Hopefully i can get close enough as the brook edges are steep, and covered with snow & ice.
I think my mixed emotions may stem from over-thinking this image. To be honest, when I first look at it I love it, but in trying to get the best out of it I think I've been second-guessing myself. I think this needs to be a subtle/moody image rather than one that jumps out at you, so have strived to keep it balanced.
The response from the group has really been helpful and demonstrates the benefits of peer review.
Thanks to all for that feedback.
nice shot Alan these guys have already summed it up for me ice and flowing water is a beautiful combo