Nice job again, Jennifer! I prefer the earlier image because it is more stripped back - here, the messier foreground and the van distract from the main game, for me. Also, in the first version, the trees seem to march up the hill, the topmost one like a fallen warrior, or something (!), whereas here that tree breaks up the rhythm; in addition it creates a bit of a hole in the middle. All round, it is a less clean, simple composition, so I notice all the elements more, and less of the atmosphere. The van makes it less timeless.
Nit-picking, one could say, but these kinds of things make the difference between an OK image and a really good one. Devil (or God, some say!) in the detail, and all that.
Thank you for your critique, Chris. I loved what you said about ... in the first version, the trees seem to march up the hill, the topmost one like a fallen warrior, or something (!), whereas here that tree breaks up the rhythm ... What you're saying is NOT nitpicking at all. It makes a lot of sense and helps me in seeing things. I think for me, you're right that it is busy, but the reason it captures me is because of the location - rural Lancaster County is so incredibly busily peaceful. The agricultural industry is everything here because of all the Amish. This one does capture that feeling. Too bad the van wasn't a horse and buggy instead. Maybe cropping off the bottom line of corn stalks and more off the right side leaving a bit of the tree to the rear of the van.
Well, hope you are well! Thanks again for your critique. I really do appreciate it. So often everyone just says, "Great Photo!" for everything. I love the discussion.
Thanks for your kind words, Jennifer. I quite agree about the discussion, and FS does provide a good forum for freindly discussion - including disagreement without trolling or hostility.
I had the same thought about the van (vs.buggy). It could be delivering a TV!
Nice job again, Jennifer! I prefer the earlier image because it is more stripped back - here, the messier foreground and the van distract from the main game, for me. Also, in the first version, the trees seem to march up the hill, the topmost one like a fallen warrior, or something (!), whereas here that tree breaks up the rhythm; in addition it creates a bit of a hole in the middle. All round, it is a less clean, simple composition, so I notice all the elements more, and less of the atmosphere. The van makes it less timeless.
Nit-picking, one could say, but these kinds of things make the difference between an OK image and a really good one. Devil (or God, some say!) in the detail, and all that.
What do you think of the two? Curious.
Thank you for your critique, Chris. I loved what you said about ... in the first version, the trees seem to march up the hill, the topmost one like a fallen warrior, or something (!), whereas here that tree breaks up the rhythm ... What you're saying is NOT nitpicking at all. It makes a lot of sense and helps me in seeing things. I think for me, you're right that it is busy, but the reason it captures me is because of the location - rural Lancaster County is so incredibly busily peaceful. The agricultural industry is everything here because of all the Amish. This one does capture that feeling. Too bad the van wasn't a horse and buggy instead. Maybe cropping off the bottom line of corn stalks and more off the right side leaving a bit of the tree to the rear of the van.
Well, hope you are well! Thanks again for your critique. I really do appreciate it. So often everyone just says, "Great Photo!" for everything. I love the discussion.
Thanks for your kind words, Jennifer. I quite agree about the discussion, and FS does provide a good forum for freindly discussion - including disagreement without trolling or hostility.
I had the same thought about the van (vs.buggy). It could be delivering a TV!