Shrouded

[dlambert]

I posted this shot over on 500px, and it's doing *nothing* there. I sort of liked the softness of the tree and the pastel-ish tone of the photo, but it really doesn't seem to be lighting anyone up, so I'm looking for a little feedback on the composition -- is this just a non-starter?



Canon 40D / 17-85mm @ 85mm and f/11, 1/60, ISO 200.

[RichardTaylor]

It just doesn't "grab" me. Maybe it is just a bit too bland.
I wonder how it would look if given the high key treatment.

[dlambert]

Interesting.... I'll try that. Thanks.

[dlambert]

Here's an attempt at high-key. I tried to leave enough mid range & shadow so the tree was still visible. This definitely brightens up the photo -- improvement?

[RichardTaylor]

An improvement to me.

[sk66]

Well, the question is, "what are you trying to convey?"

"Pretty colors" will almost never make a great photograph. We all like the lovely sunset, but we all see them. An image "about" the colors has to also lean on something else; details, geometry, setting, etc.

There is nothing particularly interesting in this scene.... The second version is "better".

I took a shot at trying to make it as good as it can be (to me), but I still think it's not particularly "strong".

[dlambert]

Thanks, Steve - that makes sense. I appreciate the work you did on it -- hopefully I'll be able to try these ideas on a better image.

[silverbirch]

Originally Posted by sk66

I took a shot at trying to make it as good as it can be (to me), but I still think it's not particularly "strong".

For what it's worth I really like this image! I'm simply a "point and shoot" person with a DSLR though :-)

[dlambert]

Thanks. I may take a shot at printing it along with a couple other "foggy" shots from that morning and see if they work better as a set. I was sort of going for a mood with this photo, and just the one snapshot doesn't quite get it done, but I think the ideas from Richard & Steve will help a lot.

[Krusty79]

I'm afraid I don't find your subject compelling either. I'm sure it looked better when you were there. I think part of this issue is that I don't get much of a feeling of depth in the image.