Is the tree too dark?

[chris_peterson1]

Vitals: Two Medicine Lake, 28 elmarit between f16-22 April 2003

bracketed exposures on T-Max 100. D76 straight for 9. Wind

speed: 30 mph. Temp at the time, about 30.

[sandler]

Depends what you're going for. I like the punchy feel of the image. However, the darkness of the tree and upper sky drives my eye very strongly to the mountain.

 

If you want the viewer to spend more time on the form of the tree, dodging the upper 1/3 or so would do it for my eyes, on my monitor.

[leicamshooter]

On the actual fine print, where it matters, I imagine a lot of the

tree is in zone 2, maybe low zone 3. Whether the tree is too dark

depends on what you envisioned when you took the photograph.

Your question is subjective because you are at the stage of

finalizing your print. It is at this stage where YOU have to make

personal creative decisions. No doubt someone will tell you it is

too dark, or too light. Attempting to bring out shadow detail in the

tree by extended developing will only increase the contrast of the

negative as a whole. Dodging the tree is another option, but

even here you can only "bring to the surface" what was captured

on film. The best of luck with your photography.

[gerry_szarek]

Chris, I would cut the photo just above the limb that comes across photo. Do you have a picture of the whole tree, it would look good with shadow on the snow.

 

BTW where is Medicine Lake, the scene looks very familiar to me.

 

Gerry

[h._p.]

I think the shot looks just about right. I like the way the shadow continues the framing effect of the tree.