This is my first time posting a photo on this site, but I figure that if I want to get better I need to get some critique on some photos.
After visiting Moab, I had four days of work-related class at Bountiful and tried to get out each evening to shoot the beautiful area around Salt Lake. This was taken west of the Salt Lake suburb of Farmington on a VERY narrow road that climbs into the mountains there. I had intended to reach the summit of this area but got lost and was late. I was working my way up this road and finally had to stop to capture the color before it began to wane. I had the 17-40 on the camera and realized that a compressed view would really bring out some interesting layers. My tele isn't a very good lens, but you get the idea.
With the exception of a one degree tilt to the left, reducing the photo size for the web, and an unsharp mask, all processing was done with Canon's Digital Photo Professional prior to JPEG conversion.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on March 31, 2007 at 12:40 AM
Chad,
Glad to hear you enjoyed your time in Utah. Lots of beautiful country to see there.
I like the colors and reflection. The orange transition to the sky with the dark sky is nice.
The island, most likely Antelope Island, is a little too centered for my tastes. I think I would crop the bottom just above the lowest large reflection so you have some black at the bottom. This would put more emphasis on the sky and move the land into the lower third.
I think the only thing that would make this better is something more interesting in the foreground but shooting across the lake from a high vantage doesn't give you many options. Nice exposure on the sky!
Posted by Steve Bunn on March 31, 2007 at 12:47 AM
Chad, welcome to the group. I'm almost brand new myself. I think you'll find the people really polite and helpful here.
I think this is a really good first post. I agree that the lens choice was key for this particular image. It has great lighting and perspective for 'layers'. It looks like you cropped the sides of the image some. The only thing I would think about doing is cropping 5 to 10 percent of the image from the top as it doesn't have quite the same interest as the rest of the image. That being said, I really like it. Good job!
Chad - great to see you posting some of your work!
Tough call on this one. I like the layers and the abstract qualities as this rendering becomes more about the layers of different color. There's also a great photo in there of just the middle area. Success either way! I do agree that a small crop up from the bottom - to the middle of the silhouetted tree - puts greater emphasis on the more compelling parts of the image.
Really, really nice Chad. Makes a powerful first impression. I'm a sucker for the smoky, sullen grey-gold of the water and the overall duotone effect. The image works quite well the way it is other than the tree, which once noticed is a bit too back-to-reality for me. Does PS have a chainsaw tool?
Like other respondents, I see this as a very versatile image giving multiple crop possibilities for varying effects. As such, it would make a great subject for a composition and cropping exercise in a photo class. Excellent work!
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 31, 2007 at 4:54 PM
I like this as is, except for what I think is a little bit of softness in the distance. Without a lot of intricate detail, you can get away with using a subpar lens for a shot like this. The layers are really neat, and I don't have a problem with the comp.
Thanks to each of you for your comments. I really do appreciate you taking the time to look and give your thoughts. I've experimented and cropped from the top and bottom, and there are so many ways to go. Your comments have opened my eyes to seeing this photo in a myriad of different ways.
Layer after layer after layer. Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous! I'm not one to like abstracts much, but this is really nice. Perhaps just a touch off the top and bottom to really make this sing.
Discussion
7 repliesThis is my first time posting a photo on this site, but I figure that if I want to get better I need to get some critique on some photos.
After visiting Moab, I had four days of work-related class at Bountiful and tried to get out each evening to shoot the beautiful area around Salt Lake. This was taken west of the Salt Lake suburb of Farmington on a VERY narrow road that climbs into the mountains there. I had intended to reach the summit of this area but got lost and was late. I was working my way up this road and finally had to stop to capture the color before it began to wane. I had the 17-40 on the camera and realized that a compressed view would really bring out some interesting layers. My tele isn't a very good lens, but you get the idea.
With the exception of a one degree tilt to the left, reducing the photo size for the web, and an unsharp mask, all processing was done with Canon's Digital Photo Professional prior to JPEG conversion.
Glad to hear you enjoyed your time in Utah. Lots of beautiful country to see there.
I like the colors and reflection. The orange transition to the sky with the dark sky is nice.
The island, most likely Antelope Island, is a little too centered for my tastes. I think I would crop the bottom just above the lowest large reflection so you have some black at the bottom. This would put more emphasis on the sky and move the land into the lower third.
I think the only thing that would make this better is something more interesting in the foreground but shooting across the lake from a high vantage doesn't give you many options. Nice exposure on the sky!
I think this is a really good first post. I agree that the lens choice was key for this particular image. It has great lighting and perspective for 'layers'. It looks like you cropped the sides of the image some. The only thing I would think about doing is cropping 5 to 10 percent of the image from the top as it doesn't have quite the same interest as the rest of the image. That being said, I really like it. Good job!
Tough call on this one. I like the layers and the abstract qualities as this rendering becomes more about the layers of different color. There's also a great photo in there of just the middle area. Success either way! I do agree that a small crop up from the bottom - to the middle of the silhouetted tree - puts greater emphasis on the more compelling parts of the image.
Excellent work!
Like other respondents, I see this as a very versatile image giving multiple crop possibilities for varying effects. As such, it would make a great subject for a composition and cropping exercise in a photo class. Excellent work!
Thanks to each of you for your comments. I really do appreciate you taking the time to look and give your thoughts. I've experimented and cropped from the top and bottom, and there are so many ways to go. Your comments have opened my eyes to seeing this photo in a myriad of different ways.
Terrific shot - first post no less.
Craig