The bokeh of the background is really nice and gives just enough information to let us know about the branch back there. The colors are really even earth tones. And the leaf provides us with just enough information to push us back into the image. Really nice job. I would give you negatives if I had any.
RV
Posted by Doug Andrews on November 6, 2007 at 3:09 PM
This image does a good job of compelling me to examine both the in-focus leaf and the out f focus background. Not sure if this is what you were hoping to achieve or not. I would like to see more of the leaf. Being cut off at the top causes some visual tension or imcompleteness. Again. not sure if this is what you were going for. With the oof background, my eyes are drawn more to the graphic color shapes formed by the branches than the soft muted colors themselves. Overall the image gives me the impression of being unfinished or incomplete in some nebulous, hard to explain manner. Hows that for being all touchy-feely.
Technically, the exposure looks fine. Contrast is medium to low but acceptable. Color balance is warm with no obviously color cast (but take that with a grain of salt, given my most recent images I have posted here).
Posted by Scott Bacon on November 6, 2007 at 4:16 PM
I absolutely love the background, but I just need to see more of that leaf. In my mind's eye, I keep reaching towards the screen to pull the leaf down further into the composition...
Jesse
I really do like the background, but I would have composed so that the leaf does not contact the background branch. That said it is an interesting and evocative image. I actually like that the leaf is not fully exposed, I just have a thing about the separation of objects in an image
Posted by Todd Caudle on November 6, 2007 at 4:48 PM
You're a master of the oof or selective focus image, and this fits in that aspect of your portfolio very well.
Posted by Jody Grigg on November 6, 2007 at 5:22 PM
Jesse, I am with Scott B. on this one.
Posted by Bret Edge on November 6, 2007 at 5:23 PM
I'm with Scott on this one, Jesse. I'll add that if it was possible, complete separation of the leave from the branch in the backbround might have been even more compelling (i.e. composing it so the leaf was more to the right). I certainly would keep it, though. Great concept!
Posted by Ed Cooley on November 6, 2007 at 5:27 PM
The color, focus and exposure look great. Just give me some more of those fantastic leaves.
With the leaves so sharp and the rest totally OOF my eyes goe up to them and exit the picture trying to find more.
I really like it just as presented. It's just abstract enough that I can enjoy the patterns and lines without needing to see more.
Guy
Posted by Jeff Lawson on November 6, 2007 at 6:42 PM
I actually think the composition is best the way it is, with the leaf overlapping the branch in the background. If the two elements were separated, I think I'd have a difficult time knowing what to focus on. Connected as they are, they work as single subject... it feels as if the leaf is attached to the branch somewhere out of frame.
Wonderful photo, by the way... I love this sort of natural abstract.
Posted by Jody Grigg on November 6, 2007 at 6:44 PM
Jesse, I am with Scott B. on this one.
Posted by John Klotz on November 6, 2007 at 8:53 PM
Jesse, I also like this image. It’s got a pleasing minimalist abstract thing going on and the sharp leaf contrasting against that sweet bokeh creates tension between the leaf and the oof background. It provides a certain energy. I covered up the leaf and that energy disappeared. Steve W, might be onto something with the branch/leaf postion but I like it as is too.
John
Posted by Grant Collier on November 7, 2007 at 1:27 AM
I might like to see different versions with more of the leaf showing or with the front of the leaf rotated more towards the camera. But that's being nit-picky. Overall, it's a very nice and unique shot.
Posted by Jesse Speer on November 7, 2007 at 2:03 AM
Thank you for the great feedback everyone. I must have worked this small tree for an hour (after sunset, during a light rain). Here's a similar full frame version that I like as well ... a little more breathing room at the top - and a little contrast added.
Posted by Stan Rose on November 7, 2007 at 2:39 AM
Jesse, it aint even close: too much unnec tension in the first shot--leaves seem like an afterthought: second shot completely rocks! So, im with Jody (id say scott, but Jody outnumbers scott 2 to 1 )
Posted by Michael Renner on November 7, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Jesse - this second shot is really sweet. When I saw the first view, I felt that the unique comp was pretty cool - but I was left wanting to see more.
Seeing your second comp - that one is spot on!!! The detail of the leaves is fantastic, and seeing more of them just really makes the image solid. Especially where the leaves overlap the branch in the background - sweet stuff!
Posted by Carol Hyman on November 7, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Boy, Jesse, You are opening a can of worms when you ask for a critique ;^)
When I looked at the first image, I really liked your background and your semi OOF branch. It would have been nice if if the leaf were totally in the image.
Your second image is far superior to the first. You have nice detail in your leaves.
IMO, I think the image would be more striking if the branch of leaves occupied a more prominent location in your composition. It's certainly your focal point and far more interesting that the OOF branch.
Always thought i swam a littlle different than others. I like both images but will go on the record as preferring the square format and comp in the first one. All in the eyes of the beholder.
RV
Posted by James H Egbert on November 7, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Right off I love both images and the second one even more! The comments you have so far mirror my thoughts exactly! Artistically I really appreciate the work you did and the time you took to communicate.
Posted by Craig Schultz on November 7, 2007 at 1:35 PM
Jesse, the first one is definitely behind the second in terms of composition. The first doesn't seem to have a point of interest to really focus on. I'm sure you wanted us to concentrate on the leaves, but then why are they so cut off, taking the viewer out of the frame wondering what's beyond the edge.
The second is much better in that regard, but it still leaves that same feeling to some extent. I always want to see more. The top center treatment of the leaves doesn't work well here.. The colors are really nice and the extra contrast in #2 works better for me.
Posted by John Zinn on November 7, 2007 at 1:41 PM
Second shot looks great. I like having more room at the top and bottom, and find that the diagonals of the branches connect with the leaves better in the second shot because they don't seem as far apart from each other. But I would prefer the branches to be lighter as in the first shot.
John
Posted by Les Barstow on November 7, 2007 at 2:48 PM
I am also leaning toward the second shot; the first is frustrating - I want more of those leaves. The second is better; still the same basic tension, but I'm left a bit less wanting.
Posted by Chad Rudd on November 7, 2007 at 7:44 PM
For what it's worth, put me down for #2. I love the colors and the concept of the photos, but the first one reminds me of a window that I desperately need to look out of to see what's really going on. If the second shot was also a window, I'd probably still look out, but I'm perfectly satisfied with what I already see. Nice photos!
Discussion
23 repliesCanon 5d + 300mm
The bokeh of the background is really nice and gives just enough information to let us know about the branch back there. The colors are really even earth tones. And the leaf provides us with just enough information to push us back into the image. Really nice job. I would give you negatives if I had any.
RV
Technically, the exposure looks fine. Contrast is medium to low but acceptable. Color balance is warm with no obviously color cast (but take that with a grain of salt, given my most recent images I have posted here).
I really do like the background, but I would have composed so that the leaf does not contact the background branch. That said it is an interesting and evocative image. I actually like that the leaf is not fully exposed, I just have a thing about the separation of objects in an image
With the leaves so sharp and the rest totally OOF my eyes goe up to them and exit the picture trying to find more.
Guy
Wonderful photo, by the way... I love this sort of natural abstract.
John
Seeing your second comp - that one is spot on!!! The detail of the leaves is fantastic, and seeing more of them just really makes the image solid. Especially where the leaves overlap the branch in the background - sweet stuff!
When I looked at the first image, I really liked your background and your semi OOF branch. It would have been nice if if the leaf were totally in the image.
Your second image is far superior to the first. You have nice detail in your leaves.
IMO, I think the image would be more striking if the branch of leaves occupied a more prominent location in your composition. It's certainly your focal point and far more interesting that the OOF branch.
My 2-cents.
Carol
Always thought i swam a littlle different than others. I like both images but will go on the record as preferring the square format and comp in the first one. All in the eyes of the beholder.
RV
The second is much better in that regard, but it still leaves that same feeling to some extent. I always want to see more. The top center treatment of the leaves doesn't work well here.. The colors are really nice and the extra contrast in #2 works better for me.
John