I captured this image during my first trip outside of Europe, on the Bonneville salt flats. The sky couldn't have been more amazing.
I am hoping to get some feedback on this one :)
I captured this image during my first trip outside of Europe, on the Bonneville salt flats. The sky couldn't have been more amazing.
I am hoping to get some feedback on this one :)
Hi Patrick, I love the soft natural colors in this image. I also love the simple subject matter. I think that the only suggestion I have is that I would off center it a bit and give it a little vignette to give your eye an edge. Just suggestions. Please keep up with the subtle color work. I love it!
Thanks for your reply! I really like what you did with the crop here. Never really thought about that, but now it just leads my eye from the left right into the image. Thanks :)
Beautiful image, Patrick! I agree with Ruth on all points, except that I would have the branch further right, rather than left.
To my eye, it has a sort of cupping or embracing quality, so it should "embrace" the rest of the image. Madness? I've cloned on in this edit (rather crudely, but I hope it conveys the idea) rather than just crop, as I'd not want the branch too big in the image, so it looks just a little lonely, conveying more of that sense of vastness.
Also I'd drop the horizon to show more of that beautiful sky. That is, I'd step back a little, and swing or move left, and tilt up a bit. Finally, your horizon is not quite level.
It's a very enjoyable, soft, quiet image as is, though. Post more!
Wow, I should definitely try out more crops with this image! And indeed, while editing the photo I really struggled with placing the horizon. But I like the placing in your edit! I should look into my files if I have an exposure of more of that sky.
And about the levelling of the horizon, I didn't see it myself until you said it. I sorta always take it for granted because I always level out my camera. Maybe it's beter to level it to the visual horizon next time :)
Thanks for your input, it was really helpful!
With beautiful skies - and this one's gorgeous! - I almost always keep the horizon very low, or at least do some such images. Then you often get the "big sky" effect. (Curiously, though, it doesn't always occur, and I don't know why. Happy to leave that a mystery.) The branch is interesting here, the salt textures attractive, but my eye is drawn to - longs for - that sky. So I'd give it prominence.
Digital images are essentially free once you've got the gear, and storage can be massive, so with a scene like this I'd take lots of variations, perhaps changing lenses, while the light lasted.
I use the virtual horizon in my Nikons whenever possible, but D700, D800E and now D850 can all be a few degrees out. You're only out 0.5 - 0.6 degrees here. I also use the viewfinder grid on sea horizons and ones like this - and I STILL have to adjust in post almost every time.
I've found another image with more of the sky and edited it in. For some reason, with a bit more sky, I found it better with the branch in the middle. Maybe that's because in my original image almost everything is in the middle, now with the horizon a bit lower it feels a better.
But with these things, as always in photography, it's just a personal taste! :)
I agree - this route is the way to go!
This is a wonderful image. You have captured it really well.. I like the center composition.
I think this needs some PP to elevate it. Some obvious fixes are: straighten the horizon, clean up the distracting rocks and twigs.
Furthermore, you can consider placing the horizon on the rule of thirds. I'd also bring out the structure of the salts.
Hi Patrick. One more thought. How about taking a long exposure shot for having sky with clouds in beautiful soft lines. (if blessed by winds). That may provide very nice contrast with the texture of earth in the other half. That may spark the ideas of compositions either center or off center.
never the less, beautiful image. Good luck for your journey further. cheers.
That would've been awesome for sure! Though personally I think it would take away the drama in the sky a bit, but to know that I'd have to see it first. Maybe try it out next time!
Thanks for your reply, cheers :)