tyelar

On 3/25/2024 at 2:55 PM, jc1305us said:

I may have shot the stairs straight on to see what that looked like, but otherwise, excellent shot. 

Great tonal treatment. I wonder also if taking the shot from a few steps to the left might have helped. The square format is a good choice as well. Darkening the area at the crowd in back of stairs or maybe even some creative blur might reduce 'busy-ness', to further focus on the stair as the main subject.

It's not very interesting except as an example of odd number of groups, each with different geometric shapes. I converted to IR black and white, still didn't make a strong composition. The flowers are such a small element, I did not focus on that as a significant juxtapositional subject.

I like Marc's cropping comments. I prefer the Black and white as it emphasizes contrasting shapes with the fluid forms of the stark white limbs, and the round symmetric/organic shape of the large rock with round lichen patches. The smaller same colored rocks became gray background nullifying the busy'ness, unlike the color image. The color (to me) detracts from directing attention to the contrasting shapes which to me are the subject of the photo.

I much prefer the initial shot. It has an ethereal foreboding feel, like, what's coming from the dark behind the scene. The large photo is more a documentary or reference photo to me. It's a good example of choosing the right angle and perspective to achieve different results.

While I like the first picture's conceptual flight into the frame, it seems empty. The second evokes the sensation of someone/thing being left behind due to the wanderlust of those leaving. Regret, but anticipation of the next adventure. At least that was my stronger reaction.

The leading lines of the trees is a good composition, but with nothing at the end. I agree with Marc. Since the trees on the right are more interesting, I might crop to a simple composition of just that line. That emphasizes that the trees are the subject of the composition. Sort of a minimalist approach perhaps? Or maybe try with color to emphasize the stark white of the trees?