Frosted Evergreens

Hey folks,

This would be the next image in line for ES&S, but I'm not sure I will post it. I just seems rather ordinary to me and although I added a gaussian blur to the background, I still find the background trees a bit distracting.

I was scrambling to catch this one before all the frost melted. Disadvantage LF. Add the longest lens in my bag, wide open, and focusing was fun too. fortunately the detail in the needles is pretty good on the transparency - not so good on the web.

I would like your honest opinions on this one. Does it float your boat? honestly.

Thanks!
Lon

Honestly? No.

There is good detail, but not enough interest in what is going on to hold my attention. It is not working for me. Also, the needles on the top left keep pulling my eye to them. Too much bright detail on the edge for me.

It's an interesting image Lon but the background is a little too distracting. Looks almost like spiderwebs. Maybe if you burned the background a bit it might help the pine come though a little better.

The verticals keeps my eyes focused on the subject but the bg is pretty cool making somewhat competitive w/ the fg so I'd agree w/ Jason on that.

Ya, I get Jason's drift here and that maybe the ticket, Lon. In a general sense the premises and overall idea of the image does work. But there needs to possibly be more separation from the BG area to keep focus on the main subject here in the FG. The blur no doubt is a step in that direction, but probably because the light is intense on the icy BG area our eyes seem to wonder just a bit.

I agree with Jason. I'd like to see the background darker.

- Dan.

Thanks Guys! You've confirmed it for me. I won't toss the slide in the garbage, but it's not going anywhere online.!

I appreciate the feedback!

Lon

A darker bg and trim a bit off the left and it might find its way back online

I agree with everyone else here, I love the frost on those needles, but the background is too distracting. Shallower depth of field and a bit of darkening on the background would help it.

It's one of those almost good photos.
Een if you increase the bg blurr, you'll have a nice photo that still won't make your portfolio. Good enough as support to other pics to show the surroundings, but not good by itself.

Fixes: I'd saturate a little the needles and reduce the DOF. I'd crop the top part for a tighter framing that reduces the presence of the BG. I think the BG is real interresting with the twigs and trunks, it is the reason this photo is not a flop and almost excelent. The random FG branches and items cut out are a little distracting, but mostly prevent the composition from being surnatural razor clean set of 2 frozen branches.

In fact, maybe the BG only could be a very nice "texture" photo.

I agree with your assessment Lon. The conditions look great for photography though.