I like this one, but I have to echo Stan's comment about the foreground. Particularly, I'm hearing what you're saying in your previous post about the wonderful slickrock and solitude, and the winter-skeletons of the bushes in the foreground just don't speak the same themes to me. Bare slickrock or open snow would, I think, be more closely tied to the emotions that you're addressing. It's good work, and I think it points towards a good long-term project/portfolio, but if you stick with it, I don't think that it's one that you'll look back on in two or three years. I know that's a high standard, but remembering some of your work from this area last year, I know what you (and it) are capable of. I'm sorry if that's harsh.
I almost think it would be better without the foreground at all, and more similar to the previous image. If you're willing to try that, add just a bit more density to the top in the upper half of the sky; I think the brighter sky and alpenglow will help bring the viewer into the image. That could provide enough depth and dimensionality. The shadows seem fine to me.
I've got some ideas on locations in Zion if you want to meet me down there this spring...
Posted by Morris McClung on February 7, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Again, wonderful light and color. One more vote that the foreground is o.k., but doesn't really draw the viewer into the scene. Maybe a pano of the top half?
Posted by Scott Fricke on February 7, 2012 at 5:22 PM
That does look like a beautiful morning. The shadows look right to me, you captured some great light there. I do like that you included a foreground to add some depth to the image and I like that it's snow to mimic that in the distance. It's certainly not the most compelling FG in the world, but there is plenty of that in the distance, which is the focus of the image anyway.
All, thanks for the excellent feedback. Yes, I tend to force the foreground into my shots sometimes. So much so that Stan and I have a great understanding about it, and he's comfortable just laying it out to me to check my "expansive foregrounds." I'm gonna play around with this one, checking different cropping options. The image is actually a 6 shot pano, there's a lot of room to crop without losing too much resolution. Mark, I appreciate your in depth and meaningful feedback. Of course I'm interested in sharing the Zion experience with another so let's keep in touch. I think I'll be headed back sometime in late April or early May with a friend. I wouldn't mind exploring the West Rim area.
Posted by Jimmy Gekas on February 8, 2012 at 1:37 PM
Looks like an amazing scene! The light is killer. Although I'd prefer a better foreground, it's gotta be there...cropping it out seems like it won't work. Looking forward to seeing more. Wish I could get out there in the spring.
Discussion
8 repliesComments and Critique welcome. Shadows feel right?
I like this one, but I have to echo Stan's comment about the foreground. Particularly, I'm hearing what you're saying in your previous post about the wonderful slickrock and solitude, and the winter-skeletons of the bushes in the foreground just don't speak the same themes to me. Bare slickrock or open snow would, I think, be more closely tied to the emotions that you're addressing. It's good work, and I think it points towards a good long-term project/portfolio, but if you stick with it, I don't think that it's one that you'll look back on in two or three years. I know that's a high standard, but remembering some of your work from this area last year, I know what you (and it) are capable of. I'm sorry if that's harsh.
I almost think it would be better without the foreground at all, and more similar to the previous image. If you're willing to try that, add just a bit more density to the top in the upper half of the sky; I think the brighter sky and alpenglow will help bring the viewer into the image. That could provide enough depth and dimensionality. The shadows seem fine to me.
I've got some ideas on locations in Zion if you want to meet me down there this spring...