If this is your first time to visit me on a Monday Morning Quarterbacking post you may want to take a quick visit here to see what this is all about. Essentially it is me going back to a photo I posted previously and critiquing it from a photographic/artistic viewpoint.
I selected this photo the same way that I did a previous one, simply by randomly picking a previous post. In this case it was this one here. As you can see this was done before I started framing my photos. I'm not saying that as a critique, although if done correctly it may have enhanced it.
As I look at this photo in retrospect I can see that it was mostly an illustrative photo. I tried to make it artistic at the time, but primarily I just ended up illustrating the title of Hoarfrost and showing what it is. There are two strongly competing elements with the branch on the left side being the most in focus and the leaf in the middle. The other "softer" focus branches tend to just add busyness and confuse more than add. From the standpoint of interest in how the fog forms into spiky ice formations this photo succeeds. As a piece of art that you might put in a book or hang on a wall this photo doesn't cut it.
The optimal choice, assuming I wanted to change it, would be to photograph it differently, but considering that is impossible, I took the same original RAW image cropped it and ran it through some processing in Adobe Bridge. You will notice that after I cropped out most of the busyness on the right side I darkened the background some and barely desaturated the color. I sharpened the ice crystals and to help keep the eye in the photo better I slightly burned in the corners. I think it is an improvement.
As always, I welcome your comments, suggestions and questions.
There is still one more element to Monday Morning Quarterbacking - If you have a photo you would like seriously critiqued from one man's photographic/artistic viewpoint you may either put a link to it in your comment, email me a link or simply email me the photo. You'll find an email link just below or in my profile. Please tell me if you want it critiqued publicly or privately. You must promise not to be mad at me if I tell you something you didn't want to hear. You do not have to agree with me - photography and art are very subjective.
Don't be shy - leave a comment or email me. I look forward to hearing from you!
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14 comments:
I agree with you that the second photograph is better than the first one. The composition makes the photo look more artistic than illustrative, as you have pointed out.
The second photo is less busy...much better...
both are beautiful. regards
it certainly is an improvement. I don't know enough about photogrpahy to critique mine or yours. i just know when i look at something if i like it or not. I do a lot of photos on my post that are there to tell a story, and I know they are not printable or frameable. I like photos but i like telling stories. PS really does make a difference. i am learning slowly.
I only can say that i´m learning a lot coming here. I prefer the second pic, although i dont like the vertical position in my photos. But here, the improvement is great
The revised version is most definitely better.
Blessings,Ruth
Time has really jetted by. I was thinking there were only two m.m.q's,but after reviewing your blog I can remember all three. Your second photo is definatly better,less busy and better color tone. Looks great.
Stunning Ice. Love them all.
Nice work again.
Will be gone for the week.
As far as piquing our interest, #2 definitely does a better job than #1. I think when we start out, we're always concerned about capturing the whole scene vs looking for a more interesting part of it, or a more interesting perspective. All about learning the craft..
btw - thanks for answering yesterday's questions about getting the lightning.
yes! nature is a great artist! superb images! regards
Wow, it's amazing what you can do in photoshop Scott. The second photo is by far more captivating and catches my eye much quicker than the first one. Mind you without the changes I would have enjoyed the first photo as is, you take stunning photos in my humble opinion.
Yes, the second has much more impact - better crop and the darkening really works to make it punchier. Good work! And hooray for Photoshop!
this is almost a tutorial, excellent before and after.
At first I was just intrigued by the ice on the plant thinking that was rather neat. Then I read your own critique and agreed. Then I saw your revision and agree again - nice! Once again I missed your Monday Quarterbacking - I will put my link in if you have the time, if not, no big deal. I really like this idea and I haven't been on the ball with it. Sorry.
http://thoughts-n-images.blogspot.com/2010/08/melissa-10-of-100-strangers.html
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