Fallen2

Sorry for uploading it twice, but I wanted to post this to the

Critique Circle and there's no other way.

 

Circle: This was taken right after a big snowstorm. I was attracted

by the strong lines in the scene. I was going for a "charcoal sketch"

like image, so I printed it with very little contrast. I cannot

explain the lightness at the right and left edges -- I can see the

lack of density there in the negative itself. Pls critique all

aspects, as always. Thanks.

Your statement about strong lines is correct. It drives the viewer into the depth of the photo. The heavy contrast between the the snow and smaller tree branches really give the shot an almost textured like feel. I would crop out some (not much) of the foreground. Its just a little too much of nothing but it helps the overall look. I'm not sure what to make of the whiteness? on the sides. It doesn't take away from the image for me it just looks different.

I would also crop part of the lower side of the picture. Perhaps half of it. But, anyway, it is a very good picture. Congratulations.

That's certainly a nice photo, Niranjan! The intricate lines in the background and the main fallen tree closer by do add depth, like Jesse mentioned. Although it'd been more so, if these elements did not overlap where the (now blocked) pathway is. Then the white snow would have really guided the viewer into the picture. For that I guess you need to stand a bit higher, to look on top of and over the trunk. Hope you understand wht I mean. The mood is very peaceful, quiet.

 

I'm sorry but I can't think of to much to else say. That's why I started PS and added just a suggestion for a crop. Not sure whether I prefer this one, or on with some more foreground. Cheers, Jeroen

Thanks for the comments, guys. I agree that cropping a little bit (IMHO not that much, Jeroen) of the foreground would be an improvement. Jeroen, I understand what you are saying about getting up higher, but unfortunately, there was no way to do that, there.

The reason everyone is fussing at the foreground is that you didn't give us much to draw the eye in the photo. The snow seems colorless and featureless.

 

Yet there is a hint of a form there, a darker area of snow that could be burned in to lend interest and lead the eye toward the action at the rear.

 

The above photo maybe pushes the effect too far; it is here to demonstrate the idea, not perfect it. I have added a little red tint to it as well. The snow is never really all white, but that's what it looked like in your foreground. Now that I think of it, a blue tint would probably have been better--it would look more realistic, as snow often has a blue tint.

Good contrast between the snow and trees, though IMO the empty lower half of the picture adds little to the overall image and is best cropped out. Jeroen's modification loses a little depth but gains much more focus.

 

The bottom half really needs a few snow covered rocks or a shadow (yours?) to make it worth keeping the original perspective

Where is the rest of the image????

Great snow/winter shot. I like the cropped version with maybe a just a little less crop. Congrats for bravely taking your camera out in the snow.

Wow that looks like a sketch! But I think the foreground is a little too empty!

This is probably my favorite from your folder. I like both your version and the heavily cropped version, high contrast version, but for different reasons. In your original, the open foreground adds a great feeling of depth, and makes the fallen branch seem like a gateway into the mystery of the forest. The cropped version has more graphic impact and is stronger, but is far less mysterious and not as subtle... Regards, Jud

Very nice winter image.Maybe you could burn

the edge of the snow just a bit to even it out.

Its very graphic which I like. Could you have shown a bit more trees on top and a little less snow? Maybe, but its still has impact! Paul.

thanks for visiting my work.

Hi Niranjn, this is also my favorite in the folder. The crop suggested by Jeroen is the best in my opinion. Regards, Peter.

Beautiful Image

 

may be a tighter crop below?

Thanks for the comment, Suchitra. Glad you liked it.