God's Country - Cecil Hills, colour, BW or delete :)

[biggerry]

I need some advice on the following image, I have processed a colour version and also a BW version, after looking at the BW version for some time I found myself thinking the only reason I tried the BW option was due to the fact I was not overly happy with the colour one (never a good start in my books) - I can't quite put my finger on what it is that I really don't like about it and hence here I am

soo, do you think it can work in BW? (note I have not attached a BW version since i think that muddies a persons opinion ) and what is it about this colour version that just does not sit right? is the fact the tree is not entirely backdropped by the sky? is it the over all muted tone? obviously a blazing sunset would make anything look good but...

anyhows..I am keen to hear peoples thoughts ..


Cecil Hills Pano by Gerard Blacklock, on Flickr

[Geoff M]

You have broken all the rules. Everything is too central, horizontally and vertically. The main subject, being that tree (as I see it) is too small in the frame. Re cropping so the tree is less central could help but I would probably just hit the delete key.


Geoff

[gstark]

I would try cropping most of the water in the foreground out. Probably somewhere between a half to two thirds should go.

Then revisit it.

[zafra52]

I agree with both comments. I would crop either top or bottom making the lines follow in one of the two thirds depending on whether you want too much sky or too much water. Then I would crop on the left bringing the stump on the line of the two thirds and see if the photo improves. It might not be the panoramic view you intended, but it just might improve the photo.

[sirhc55]

Firstly, I must offer thanks. I have been looking for God’s country for many, many years, and there it is.

Crop left or right and increase contrast a tad.

[biggerry]

You have broken all the rules. Everything is too central, horizontally and vertically. The main subject, being that tree (as I see it) is too small in the frame. Re cropping so the tree is less central could help but I would probably just hit the delete key.
Geoff

thanks for your honest opinion Geoff, appreciated.

I guess one point to make is that I actually quite like symmetry and centrally placed objects at the moment, i know it breaks all the rules but hey thats half the fun, trying to make things work against the rules

I would try cropping most of the water in the foreground out. Probably somewhere between a half to two thirds should go.

Then revisit it.

cheers gary, see below.

I agree with both comments. I would crop either top or bottom making the lines follow in one of the two thirds depending on whether you want too much sky or too much water. Then I would crop on the left bringing the stump on the line of the two thirds and see if the photo improves. It might not be the panoramic view you intended, but it just might improve the photo.

thanks zafra, taking a few ideas from that!

Firstly, I must offer thanks. I have been looking for God’s country for many, many years, and there it is.
Crop left or right and increase contrast a tad.

your on the wrong side of the harbour Chris

thanks, regarding the contrast I found increasing the contrast made it a bit too 'crunchy' for lack of a better technical term and I think i prefer the low contrast and softer feel, see below for croppage.

[Matt. K]

Gerry
Always trust your gut feeling. You saw something and you created a photograph ....it breaks all of the compositional rules but it is beautiful, restful, tranquil and mesmerizing. It has no energy of its own and has little impact but it is an image for those who take the time to look....those who expect no instant gratification, no belly kick, no moment of entertainment. It is a lovely place on the planet....it is alone...it is quite...it is graceful and it is spiritual. It could be natures cathedral.....the dead tree symbolic of the cross....a place to be buried....a place to weep for a dying planet....a place of hope, for from decay comes new growth...new life. The image will mean different things to different people but it is an image that demands a solitary moment of reflection. I love it.
I also think that the colours are perfect but that the image needs to be printed quite large so that the tones open up and show a little grain. It stopped you...it would have stopped me, and many other photographers I'm sure, and it needs no crop to spoil its symmetry ,its grace. It is an amazing image.

[sirhc55]

Gerry, you southern rebel the new image does work for me and I support everything Matt has said.

[chrisk]

The crop is horrible. I did laugh cos it's exactly the way I would have shot it and then would have deleted it cursing myself for bothering trying to take a landscape image. lol

The original is simple, balanced and peaceful. That's what I get out of it anyway. I like it a lot. I find that tiny brach next to the tree in the water distracting though and I'd clone it out.



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[zafra52]

In the end, it all boils down to personal artistic preferences; the technical skills are evident. Personally, I feel the first photograph was very good but as you were not sure about it I thought spending a bit of time and trying something different would open new possibilities. The second photo is more conventional, but I like it more because it works for me as I find it more interesting than the first version. If, on the other hand, you wanted to convey a sense of balance, perhaps the first one would be more appropriate. Nevertheless, I feel the sense of peacefulness and tranquillity is present in both versions. In fact, it is the type of image that would also work in black and white, but at the cost of those pastel colours. If you intend to sell the print you could offer both and let the buyer choose, because as you can see above it touches personal feelings differently. I feel life is a struggle for balance and harmony; never quite achieving it.

[Mj]

So my 5c is that the original image is a fine starting point.
Before making any changes on an image like this the first question to answer is 'what am I trying to say' ?
Then you can adjust the image to strengthen the message.
I like the colour and the symmetry and the soft contrast...

My initial thoughts, given the barren landscape and what I think it's trying to convey to me, I would consider increasing both the sky and the water, retaining the central perspective... have the dead tree surrounded by an expanse of dead land, sky and water.

I think the other crop does nothing for the image and turns it into a snapshot.

[biggerry]

Gerry
Always trust your gut feeling. You saw something and you created a photograph ....it breaks all of the compositional rules but it is beautiful, restful, tranquil and mesmerizing. It has no energy of its own and has little impact but it is an image for those who take the time to look....those who expect no instant gratification, no belly kick, no moment of entertainment. It is a lovely place on the planet....it is alone...it is quite...it is graceful and it is spiritual. It could be natures cathedral.....the dead tree symbolic of the cross....a place to be buried....a place to weep for a dying planet....a place of hope, for from decay comes new growth...new life. The image will mean different things to different people but it is an image that demands a solitary moment of reflection. I love it.
I also think that the colours are perfect but that the image needs to be printed quite large so that the tones open up and show a little grain. It stopped you...it would have stopped me, and many other photographers I'm sure, and it needs no crop to spoil its symmetry ,its grace. It is an amazing image.

cheers Matt, you have a great way to putting words against a image and in this case have done it so much better than I could.

As mentioned before I am going through a very symmetrical centred pano phase and I really enjoy images such as this where I get the opportunity to try and create a mood with the image and try and make the image speak without the need for bold colours or strong contrast, a real challenge for me atm.

Thanks for your honest and open opinion Matt, I appreciate the time taken to comment.

[biggerry]

Gerry, you southern rebel the new image does work for me and I support everything Matt has said.

lol, thanks Chris, glad you could swing both ways

The crop is horrible. I did laugh cos it's exactly the way I would have shot it and then would have deleted it cursing myself for bothering trying to take a landscape image. lol
The original is simple, balanced and peaceful. That's what I get out of it anyway. I like it a lot. I find that tiny brach next to the tree in the water distracting though and I'd clone it out.
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Thanks Chris K, I may well revisit the image and clone that bit out and at the same time remove the greenery on the right side, however these two things, imo, create quite a different feel for the image.
Thanks for the comment mate.

In the end, it all boils down to personal artistic preferences; the technical skills are evident. Personally, I feel the first photograph was very good but as you were not sure about it I thought spending a bit of time and trying something different would open new possibilities. The second photo is more conventional, but I like it more because it works for me as I find it more interesting than the first version. If, on the other hand, you wanted to convey a sense of balance, perhaps the first one would be more appropriate. Nevertheless, I feel the sense of peacefulness and tranquillity is present in both versions. In fact, it is the type of image that would also work in black and white, but at the cost of those pastel colours. If you intend to sell the print you could offer both and let the buyer choose, because as you can see above it touches personal feelings differently. I feel life is a struggle for balance and harmony; never quite achieving it.

Thanks zafra, i appreciate the thoughts, I agree, always a struggle for balance and harmony I will revisit for a BW option however it needs a few weeks to get a fresh view on it

So my 5c is that the original image is a fine starting point.
Before making any changes on an image like this the first question to answer is 'what am I trying to say' ?
Then you can adjust the image to strengthen the message.
I like the colour and the symmetry and the soft contrast...

My initial thoughts, given the barren landscape and what I think it's trying to convey to me, I would consider increasing both the sky and the water, retaining the central perspective... have the dead tree surrounded by an expanse of dead land, sky and water.

I think the other crop does nothing for the image and turns it into a snapshot.

good point Michael, barren, isolated, dry, lonely are all things I want the image to portray, this led me to the pano composition to give it more empty space and also reduce the size of the tree within the frame to indicate isolation. The muted tones seemed to simply suit the light at the time and conveniently fit the theme when in front of the computer, not so much when at the location

Thanks all for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts, particularly helpful.

[sirhc55]

This is exactly how I have imagined God’s country. Desolate and devoid of people. Why? They are all down below enjoying the warmth in Devil’s country with wine, women and great music.

[biggerry]

This is exactly how I have imagined God’s country. Desolate and devoid of people. Why? They are all down below enjoying the warmth in Devil’s country with wine, women and great music.

[phillipb]

Why are photos always rectangular or square?

[chrisk]

Thanks Chris K, I may well revisit the image and clone that bit out and at the same time remove the greenery on the right side, however these two things, imo, create quite a different feel for the image.
Thanks for the comment mate.

Green moss yes. I like it cos adds some interest and colour. A definite plus to the depth of the image.
The sticks ? no.


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[chrisk]

This is exactly how I have imagined God’s country. Desolate and devoid of people. Why? They are all down below enjoying the warmth in Devil’s country with wine, women and great music.

lol you're an evil man !


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[zafra52]

Phillip, you know it is not quite correct; they can be oval as well. I know that triangular crop is a distraction to the otherwise superb photo, but I like it. I must try it myself.

[biggerry]

Why are photos always rectangular or square?

damn, that's thinking outside the square! mind blown.