Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: William Walker on March 31, 2013, 03:33:42 pm

Title: On the Middelrus Road
Post by: William Walker on March 31, 2013, 03:33:42 pm
Once again, I would like to know what you think of this photograph.

Thanks
William
Title: Re: On the Middelrus Road
Post by: Tony Jay on March 31, 2013, 06:28:08 pm
That acacia has certainly seen a lot of summers - it is probably older than the country itself!

Arguably, one could have done a tighter composition to really make that tree the star, with the surrounding landscape as the backdrop.

I do enjoy your images William as I don't get back to South Africa as often as I would like and they do bring back memories.

Tony Jay
Title: Re: On the Middelrus Road
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 31, 2013, 07:04:55 pm
I wondered at first about a possible tighter cropping, but I think I prefer it just the way it is. The tree appears to be gazing out at the territory to the left as if to say, "This is my kingdom!" It's a very regal tree. I like the shot a lot.
Title: Re: On the Middelrus Road
Post by: francois on April 02, 2013, 09:11:51 am
Quote from: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 31, 2013, 07:04:55 pm
I wondered at first about a possible tighter cropping, but I think I prefer it just the way it is. The tree appears to be gazing out at the territory to the left as if to say, "This is my kingdom!" It's a very regal tree. I like the shot a lot.


Yes, I like to wider crop. The tree is magnificent.
Title: Re: On the Middelrus Road
Post by: William Walker on April 03, 2013, 05:39:32 am
Thanks Tony, Eric & Francois!

I appreciate your comments.

Regards
William
Title: Re: On the Middelrus Road
Post by: Harald L on April 05, 2013, 11:03:35 am
A great picture and a dignified tree which really governs its realm. I wonder if there is a trick to set the tree a tad apart from the background. Perhaps some desaturated color?
Title: Re: On the Middelrus Road
Post by: RSL on April 05, 2013, 03:36:57 pm
It's a great tree, William, but did you shoot it with film? I see density variations in the sky that look like over-agitation in the developer.
Title: Re: On the Middelrus Road
Post by: nemo295 on April 05, 2013, 04:34:43 pm
Quote from: RSL on April 05, 2013, 03:36:57 pm
It's a great tree, William, but did you shoot it with film? I see density variations in the sky that look like over-agitation in the developer.

+1

The steep tonal gradient in the sky is a bit odd.
Title: Re: On the Middelrus Road
Post by: wolfnowl on April 05, 2013, 04:38:57 pm
I really like the tree and the scene, but as it is the tree blends almost too well into the background.  I might be tempted to VERY slightly lighten the tree to draw it out from the scene, but great prudence would be required.  Might be worth a try.

Mike.
Title: Re: On the Middelrus Road
Post by: William Walker on April 06, 2013, 12:19:22 am
Quote from: RSL on April 05, 2013, 03:36:57 pm
It's a great tree, William, but did you shoot it with film? I see density variations in the sky that look like over-agitation in the developer.

Hi Russ,

No, not film. The only thing I can think of is perhaps being a little heavy-handed on the "blue slider" in Lightroom...in fact I backed off that slider a tad already!

Same with lightening the tree, Mike, I already took that as far as I felt safe with.

The sun on the hills at the back, on reflection, seem a little over-exposed. What about darkening those?

Thanks to all again,
William