― Scapes Critique ⇒ Back light is Chuck Light

[Matt Quinn]

Taken this morning; all SOOC except for cropping to 8x10. C&c welcome. Matt

[Charles Haacker]

I especially like the first one. For me it has the most interest. The trunks and branches are not distracting and the backlit colors are rich and glowing. The dominant trunks lead the eye up into the palette and also help to contain the eye within the frame. Blue sky and whipped-cream clouds complete the literal picture.

The second one does less for me. I don't care for the massive black trunk cleaving the frame like an ax blow. I'm certain you intended it as a leading line to the leaves, and the leaves are gorgeous, but I wonder if it would not be better if there were detail in the bark as opposed to a featureless black. You said these are SOOC. Are they jpegs? There might be shadow detail there that can be opened but it would be more likely if the original files were raw. Opening detail in the trunk I think would improve it. The colors are many and bright but it's almost two separate pictures owing to the slash of black up the center.

The third has lovely colors but seems somehow busy, unfocused (not literally but figuratively). The first two the subject is clearly the colorful leaves, and one would expect that in the third, but for me it misses the mark, possibly because of the tangle of branches and trunks that might function as leading lines except they lead off in many directions, tending to lead the eye out of the frame.

[Matt Quinn]

I especially like the first one. For me it has the most interest. The trunks and branches are not distracting and the backlit colors are rich and glowing. The dominant trunks lead the eye up into the palette and also help to contain the eye within the frame. Blue sky and whipped-cream clouds complete the literal picture.

The second one does less for me. I don't care for the massive black trunk cleaving the frame like an ax blow. I'm certain you intended it as a leading line to the leaves, and the leaves are gorgeous, but I wonder if it would not be better if there were detail in the bark as opposed to a featureless black. You said these are SOOC. Are they jpegs? There might be shadow detail there that can be opened but it would be more likely if the original files were raw. Opening detail in the trunk I think would improve it. The colors are many and bright but it's almost two separate pictures owing to the slash of black up the center.

The third has lovely colors but seems somehow busy, unfocused (not literally but figuratively). The first two the subject is clearly the colorful leaves, and one would expect that in the third, but for me it misses the mark, possibly because of the tangle of branches and trunks that might function as leading lines except they lead off in many directions, tending to lead the eye out of the frame.

Went back to fiddle; here's some bark. Minimal pp in Lightroom. Matt

[Charles Haacker]

Ah! HUGE difference. I especially like the first, which emphasizes the brilliance of the glowing leaves and their wild variations of color. I like the trunk being off to one side, still leading the eye up to the glory but not intruding. The opening up of the bark is just right: I can see it's a tree trunk, which may sound silly but at first glance of the original I had to think about it. I like the second as well but I think the dead-center trunk draws attention to itself more than serving as a leading line. It still cleaves the picture leaving the eye wondering which side to look at. I think cropping to one side or the other is a better option. You could easily make two pictures in order to get both sets of leaves as they are different and both magnificent!

[Matt Quinn]

Many thanks sir. Glad you liked them. Matt

[St3v3Murray]

The rework is an amazing difference! I'm calling these Skittle Leaves! S-

[Matt Quinn]

The rework is an amazing difference! I'm calling these Skittle Leaves! S-

Skittle? Not understanding. Matt

[St3v3Murray]

The rework is an amazing difference! I'm calling these Skittle Leaves! S-

Skittle? Not understanding. Matt

They look like Skittles! S-

[Matt Quinn]

Ah.