Hi all,
since I can't get any engagement just posting to my page, I'd really appreciate any thoughts on my newest image here.
I've been struggling with color a bit in my work, so I really tried to get that nailed down this time.
When shooting, I thought I would do something in post (cloning, liquify or whatever) to lower the mountain that's just creeping in on the left, but it actually doesn't bother me now. What about you?
If anyone's confused by the lighting it's because I lightpainted the foreground with my headlamp. I'm also not entirely sure if the image bright enough. If I bring up the exposure more though I don't like the colors anymore, so there's that again..
Cheers,
Lukas
I would say the overall tones are quite pleasing but here are some pointers for improvement (in my own opinion according to my style and styles I appreciate).
1. Cool down the green hue, desaturate, and increase luminance
2. Dodge and saturate the purple flowers
3. Increase exposure by 0.2 stops
4. Lock aspect ratio and crop in from left and right to reduce the tall mountain on the left and the distracting rock on the right
5. Dodge some areas of the reflections in the water
6. Boost highlights in the sky
Hope this helps!
Hi Viren, thank you, that's some really useful/applicable feedback. I'll give your suggestions a go and we'll see how it turns out :)
I'm gonna respectfully agree and disagree with Viren's thoughts. I would also crop but only from the right top corner and I wouldn't eliminate the rock on the right entirely, just enough to remove that upper lip portion above the fracture line. The remaining rock on the right and left provide a nice frame.
There are many ways to brighten the overall exposure a bit without loosing your color tones.
I think id resist the temptation to to cool the green hue (but without the benefit of seeing it in person I could be completely wrong on that).
Thank you for taking the time Sean, I'll definitely try out your crop suggestion - thanks!
Hi Lukas! This image of yours really appeals to me. What a beautiful location, from foreground to sky and in between! I think your edit is fine as is, and your light painting is subtle - I'd never have picked it. I think the composition is a fine one, and wouldn't touch it.
I think I share your feelings about brightness - it's easy to kill the atmosphere by brightening it up, and I like understatement, including yours here.
I can't resist having a go myself at any edit, so here's mine! The image, especially the shadow area around the lake, looks a little closed-in, so mainly I've lightened the shadows, and increased midtone contrast, with minor tweaks to the colours. But maybe I'm losing the mood you wanted. So I'm not suggesting mine is a net improvement, just that it suits my personal tastes. I haven't done any local adjustments, only global ones (although I probably would in your place, starting with the RAW file).
BTW I (and I think others) don't crit unless it's asked for in the portfolio section, so I think you need to post in a Group, and start that "New Discussion", if you want comments.
Hi Chris , thank you for your feedback :) I'm not a huge fan of what the brightness increase did to the colors, that's the same issue I was having. It definitely would be more noticable / punshy if it was a bit brighter though. Thank you!
Your own version has a sombre quality and appeal all its own, Lukas. It captures a sense of evening chill. I think that if I saw a largish print up in a gallery, the darkness in the middle would draw me in for a closer look, not have me reaching mentally for a slider... Nothing wrong with your own vision.
DEFINITELY RAVISHING
haha, thanks
I think suggest increasing the brightness of the picture and cropping the rock on the right. Overall it looks pretty good!
Thanks for the input Tayyeb! that seems to be the consensus, I'll definitely see if I can tweek it a bit more