Posted by Kane Engelbert on February 20, 2012 at 10:16 PM
Last May I spent some time out in Canyonlands and picked up some super clean light out on the iconic Green River Overlook. My PP skill-set back then was a bit limited and recently I went back to rework a few images. Here’s one that I’m having trouble understanding my comp. The tree is smack-dab in the middle of the frame, a photography sin, I know…but I think the foreground rocks on right and the distant cliffs on the left anchor the image. Does the processing connect? Do I want more composition on the left?
Critique welcome.
Kane
Posted by John Mumaw on February 20, 2012 at 10:40 PM
Excellent light and desert scenery, and your 'development' looks spot on to me.
However, as iconic as that tree may be (and it certainly is that), I find that it gets in the way of the exceptionally beautiful scenery unfolding beneath you.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on February 20, 2012 at 11:51 PM
I think the composition is balanced and fine, as is. The tree is slightly offset to the left. I wouldn't add any more space to the left, since that would center it more.
However, I agree with John, the tree does block the view of the canyons, which is just fine if your intention is to make the tree and storm clouds the primary subjects.
Some slight halos are visible on the dark cliff edges on the right. Maybe just JPEG compression artifacts.
Posted by Scott Fricke on February 21, 2012 at 12:13 AM
I think the PP looks great and I am not bothered by the tree placement as I am seeing the tree as the major subject of the photo. Yes there is a nice view in the background, but the deeper canyons are so far in the instance there isn't much detail to see. I look at it as a great back drop and some sweet light to complement the tree and put it in context. A really fine image in my opinion!
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 21, 2012 at 9:26 AM
Let us remember that "rules" in photography are made to be broken on occasion. Even though it's blocking some of the view, since it's in there, I have no problem with the tree placement, I think the shot is extraordinary.
Your processing looks spot on to me. I think it's gorgeous shot. Honestly, I have seen almost this exact image/composition by several other photographers too. That doesn't diminish your awesome interpretation of it!
Posted by Morris McClung on February 21, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Wonderful light and I think the comp works fine. The tree does merge with the canyons which keeps the eye from following it into the middle of the image. However, I find my eye doing a circle from the nice foreground on the right, around the tree to the brightly lit cliffs on the left and on to the canyons. So, it still works for me. Your pp brought out all of the beauty of the light and color in this. Maybe a slight crop off of the right, or clone out the two small intruding rocks on the right side at the top of the rocks. But, that is being really picky.
Posted by Bob Falcone on February 21, 2012 at 7:43 PM
I think the shot is great with the tree...and it may be great without it, too, but I think I prefer the shot with it. PP looks fine, too. Overall it's quite nice!
Posted by Paul Wegemann on February 21, 2012 at 9:14 PM
While it may not be compositionally perfect, it's still a beautiful image, Kane, one that I'm happy to stare at for a long while. Your PP is right on IMO.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on February 22, 2012 at 6:39 PM
Judging from the few other images I have seen from this location, it does not seem like there are many options to not have the tree branches and canyon fingers intertwine.
Looks like the air was dusty. Perhaps a slight increase in contrast of the valley floor to help cut the "haze" so the floor on the right of the tree is more like to the left?
Posted by Kane Engelbert on February 22, 2012 at 9:06 PM
Fantastic feedback, and Thanks to all. That darn iconic label means going up against what we already know that works and has worked for years. Deviating from that is always risky, but the majority speaks. In this case the image passes as a solid Canyonlands scene IMO, not necessarily a Green River Overlook scene where the great Soda Springs Canyon creeps into the frame from a distance. I come away believing the image is worthy of a place in the portfolio minus a slight crop that Morris M recommends.
Again, Thanks.
Kane
Posted by Darren Huski on February 23, 2012 at 7:44 AM
Great light. I think the comp works as is but could also work without the centering of the bush.
One thing that might be an optical illusion, but is it titled slightly left?
Posted by Kane Engelbert on February 23, 2012 at 9:09 PM
Darren, I think you may be on to something, I'll drop a grid to make the correction.
Posted by Dan Walters on February 25, 2012 at 7:29 PM
Beautiful. Love the clouds and the warm colors in the foreground.
Discussion
13 repliesCritique welcome.
Kane
However, as iconic as that tree may be (and it certainly is that), I find that it gets in the way of the exceptionally beautiful scenery unfolding beneath you.
However, I agree with John, the tree does block the view of the canyons, which is just fine if your intention is to make the tree and storm clouds the primary subjects.
Some slight halos are visible on the dark cliff edges on the right. Maybe just JPEG compression artifacts.
Your processing looks spot on to me. I think it's gorgeous shot. Honestly, I have seen almost this exact image/composition by several other photographers too. That doesn't diminish your awesome interpretation of it!
Looks like the air was dusty. Perhaps a slight increase in contrast of the valley floor to help cut the "haze" so the floor on the right of the tree is more like to the left?
Again, Thanks.
Kane
One thing that might be an optical illusion, but is it titled slightly left?