Originally posted by aaacb I like this picture, the light and colors are beautiful. and fall looks at its peak. Kudos for the film shot, (how) did you process the scan?
Since this is the critique section, I'll try to give a few suggestions for improvement, though they're at most minor:
- I think the main point of focus is the left side of the bridge. The curve though leads you out of the frame because the path (?) after the bridge is brighter than what' before the bridge. Perhaps burning the gravel that's visible would help avoid that distraction
- the green leaves in the top right aren't a big distraction, and they help increase the overall contrast, but they're a bit bright
- the leafless branches at the top of the frame add little, I would crop them out to a more panoramic aspect ratio.
I appreciate your feedback. I did a flatbed scan and added some vignette.
I think you are right. Currently, it looks like the left side of the image is the main point of focus, which was not what I was going for. I tried to look around for different angles, though. I lowered the camera but the center post before the bridge was in the way. I moved to the left, while turning the camera to the right to try to avoid that bright part, but the right side was very much busier. I moved a bit closer to the bridge but this time I was losing the shadow from the left tree and also the layers of leaves on the ground, which I liked a lot.
Personally, I am not a big fan of cropping, which forces me to think before taking the shot. Since this was shot on 645, the aspect ratio is different. But I see your point regarding the top of the image.
Thanks for the constructive comments.
---------- Post added 11-05-18 at 03:04 PM ----------
Originally posted by Schraubstock Hi,
I asume this is a scan and you have done some colour adjustments in PP. I am not going to comment on composition here but have some suggestion to have another look at colour and exposure.
Firstly, exposure. I think your image is somewhat underexposed, the sun is quite bright which means the image also should be quite bright. When you increase brightness the colours will brighten up as well.
I have been in Vancouver only three weeks ago and I remember well how some of the leaves of certain trees turn a bright yellow and they are quite striking when the sun shines through them.
Secondly, the overall image is too red. In the old film days when people had to rely on the corner store to develop photographs colours of prints often were flat and grey because they were developed with spent chemicals. The disappointment usually was great. Now it has swung the other way. With modern software colours can be cranked up like there is no tomorrow. I see this all the time. Just google “autumn leaves” and you see pictures as if on LSD.
A good indication that there is too much red overall in your pic is, the tree trunks have, it seems, also turned an autumn colour as well. The trunk second from the left should reflect the yellow of the bright yellow leaves.
If you absolutely insist on that strong red, for what ever reason, this would be of course be a personal consideration and you have some followers. No problems. I would however implore you to consider increasing the exposure.
Only as a guide and your consideration I attach the following image.
Thanks for your comments. I think you would agree that PP is very subjective, specially when you are scanning color negative film, which is not "what-you-see-is-what-you-get". The reason that the photo looks red is because there was a lot of reflection from the red leaves on the ground and the trees. So the tree trunks were reddish too. Thanks for taking the time to edit the photo. I think it looks too green, which is obvious in the yellow leaves.
I agree with you on the exposure. I think it looks dark.
I very much appreciate your feedback.