Critique this

[Ben Egbert]

Another 2nd (maybe 3rd) tier image for you to practice your critiquing skills on.

This was taken from the Hidden Valley Boardwalk in Glacier looking toward the garden wall at sunset.

190723-10980-5DS R

• Ben Egbert
• Sep 4, 2019

 

[AlanLichty]

I like the view and the bit of sunset on the left. The middle of the scene and the garden wall lack enough contrast and highlights to really grab my attention. As it stands the elements in the scene drag my vision to the left to the exclusion of the other two thirds of the scene. I would be inclined to try to bring out more of the details in the clouds as well as the mountains - maybe down to the line of trees at the far side of the meadow. You could almost make this a bit of a pano by trimming the top and the bottom. There is a bit too much empty meadow and featureless cloud cover to make the sunset and peaks stand out.

A brush in Lightroom or the gradient tool could easily bring out more of this using the clarity and texture sliders. I think this image has some features that would definitely be worth some extra work.

 

[Beth]

the first thing that struck me was the extra space at the top and bottom, all of the interest is in the middle. crop the top and bottom off.

i like the sun peaking out behind the mountain on the left and there's the mountainside on the right that you could brighten and warm to make it look like the light on the left is hitting the mountains on the right. really push the light and contrast to tie those two elements together.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Agree with Alan on all counts. A 16x9 crop taking most out of the sky and a little from the bottom would bring the focus where it should be. I’d also tone down the cyan from the sky a bit as well.

Warming up the sky to bring out the sunset light a smidge is also worth trying.

 

[Ben Egbert]

I like the view and the bit of sunset on the left. The middle of the scene and the garden wall lack enough contrast and highlights to really grab my attention. As it stands the elements in the scene drag my vision to the left to the exclusion of the other two thirds of the scene. I would be inclined to try to bring out more of the details in the clouds as well as the mountains - maybe down to the line of trees at the far side of the meadow. You could almost make this a bit of a pano by trimming the top and the bottom. There is a bit too much empty meadow and featureless cloud cover to make the sunset and peaks stand out.

A brush in Lightroom or the gradient tool could easily bring out more of this using the clarity and texture sliders. I think this image has some features that would definitely be worth some extra work.

Good idea Alan, I have given this a try see below.

the first thing that struck me was the extra space at the top and bottom, all of the interest is in the middle. crop the top and bottom off.

i like the sun peaking out behind the mountain on the left and there's the mountainside on the right that you could brighten and warm to make it look like the light on the left is hitting the mountains on the right. really push the light and contrast to tie those two elements together.

Ok Pepper, see below, where I did this.

Agree with Alan on all counts. A 16x9 crop taking most out of the sky and a little from the bottom would bring the focus where it should be. I’d also tone down the cyan from the sky a bit as well.

Warming up the sky to bring out the sunset light a smidge is also worth trying.

Thanks Jameel. This was already 16x9 so I cropped eeven more. I also worked the sky to reduce cyan.

 

[AlanLichty]

The edit is a big improvement. Much more interesting now.

 

[JimFox]

Okay Ben, we must have been thinking alike! I had downloaded your photo this morning, and hadn't seen the additional comments or your edit until just now as I came to upload my edit.

I warmed up the sky just a tad. But I warmed up the Garden Wall quite a bit. To me it seemed like the sun was shining on the mountain wall closest to the right edge, so I emphasized that just a hair more. I also cropped some, and used a little Autofill.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Okay Ben, we must have been thinking alike! I had downloaded your photo this morning, and hadn't seen the additional comments or your edit until just now as I came to upload my edit.

I warmed up the sky just a tad. But I warmed up the Garden Wall quite a bit. To me it seemed like the sun was shining on the mountain wall closest to the right edge, so I emphasized that just a hair more. I also cropped some, and used a little Autofill.

View attachment 21216

Thanks for doing this Jim, it confirms what others have said and what I did for my rework.

Anyone, feel free to download and work on this if you wish.

 

[Beth]

Okay Ben, we must have been thinking alike! I had downloaded your photo this morning, and hadn't seen the additional comments or your edit until just now as I came to upload my edit.

I warmed up the sky just a tad. But I warmed up the Garden Wall quite a bit. To me it seemed like the sun was shining on the mountain wall closest to the right edge, so I emphasized that just a hair more. I also cropped some, and used a little Autofill.

View attachment 21216

this is just what i was thinking of.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Here is my attempt at it.

 

[rfkiii]

Well Ben, I see nothing wrong with the image especially if presented with a set of shots from the area. The NPS forced you to take this shot at this location because there were plenty of signs asking you not to get off the trail. Of course you didn't get too far up the trail what with me being hobbled and all.

I was checking out the area with Google Earth and there appears a trail going off to the right along the edge above the road after you climb the stairs from the parking lot that might allow the Garden Wall more prominence.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Here is my attempt at it.

View attachment 21249

Nice Jameel, I like it. It looks like a near consensus on what needs to happen here. Just subtle differences in the final output.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Well Ben, I see nothing wrong with the image especially if presented with a set of shots from the area. The NPS forced you to take this shot at this location because there were plenty of signs asking you not to get off the trail. Of course you didn't get too far up the trail what with me being hobbled and all.

I was checking out the area with Google Earth and there appears a trail going off to the right along the edge above the road after you climb the stairs from the parking lot that might allow the Garden Wall more prominence.

Well if we had gone all the way to Hidden Lake, we would have encountered a Grizzly and I might have been able to outrun you leaving you for his meal.