Photo Critique #125

Photo Critique #125

on Feb 24th 2012 with 11 comments

Friday Photo Critique is our weekly community project, where we publish a photograph submitted by one of our wonderful readers, then ask you all to offer constructive feedback on the image. It’s a great way to learn more about photography, express your viewpoint, and have your own image critiqued!

Quick Ground Rules

  1. Play nice! We’ve deliberately chosen photographs that aren’t perfect, so please be constructive with any criticism.
  2. Feel free to offer any type of advice – composition, lighting, post-processing etc.
  3. You can also link to photographs that you feel offer a great example of this type of image shot exceptionally well.

Without further ado, here is this week’s candidate for Friday Photo Critique!

The Photograph

Photo Details & Inspiration

  • Canon EOS 550D
  • 10mm
  • f/5.6
  • 25 seconds
  • ISO 800

I tried to capture the tree in the garden of my country house from an unusual side. I was proud. The result looks like there was is a giant tree. It was Christmas day, and this day the lights were turned on so I had the idea to take some shots. It looks like there was light coming from inside the tree.

Photographer: Milo Thoretton

Please let us know what you think in the comments – how would you have approached the scene or taken the photo differently? A massive thank you to everyone who commented last week.

The most constructive and helpful comments will be featured on the site. Interested in submitting your own photo? You can do so here!8

 
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Rollover to read this author's bio or click through to see a full list of posts by this author.

I was raised in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. After high school, I left for Western Kentucky University where I obtained degrees in photojournalism and cultural anthropology. I am currently employed by CityBeat, an arts and entertainment weekly in Cincinnati. The work I am doing here is very rewarding and I suspect it will continue to be. I am available for freelance work in all areas of photography.  

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  • Red Hoar

    Very nice. Good use of contrast. My only comment is the slight blurring on the tree in the lower left distracted me. But, hey, it was a 25 sec. exposure. With a couple of other photos for context, I could see it hanging in a show. – Red

  • http://karenelizabethevans.com Karen

    I really like this. The light gives a really nice effect. The only thing I would like to see is the light being faded off in the branches rather than just the blunt ends. I think that would help with the effect of the tree glowing from the inside. Cool idea thanks for sharing.

  • http://photo.adesignstudio.net Alyo

    There is quite a lot of noise in your image. Perhaps using lower ISO or noise reduction in post process will fix this. However…while looking at it in smaller size is a beautiful shot. Congrats.

  • http://www.shuttersandapertures.info Rob

    I agree with Alyo, lower the ISO. Take advantage of the tripod and the long exposure. Lowering the ISO would mean a longer exposure. As shot, the Christmas lights give me the look of a lightning strike which is pretty cool. Perhaps tone down the lights by only having them on for a short duration during the exposure. Play with the duration until you get the effect you are looking for. Good work, though.

  • dj

    You know, if you had said that this was a freak accidental shot of lightening hitting the tree outside your home while you were setting up for a photo – It probably would have gone viral. I’ve noticed that sometimes a bit of mystery over “how did he get that?” adds to the enjoyment of a photo.

    • http://www.secretdoorstudio.com Josh

      I agree. The lighting makes this a very interesting photo. Definitely a cool shot.

  • http://stucorlett.com Stuman

    I really like the idea you had to make this photo. Here are my thoughts for what they’re worth.
    Lower the Iso and make the exposure even longer.
    As you light paint the tree, try and get all the branches. I’d have liked it more if the light streaks went out much further.
    I think the light painting part is too over exposed for my liking. Dropping the ISO should fix that.
    I think you used quite a small flashlight with a narrow beam, thats why the edges of the light are jagged. Perhaps if you used a bigger flashlight with a wider beam the edges wouldn’t be so jagged.
    The Sky is pretty bland. Perhaps if you did it about 10 minutes after sunset the sky would be dark blue and that could look very cool.
    Light painting is pretty difficult to get even coverage, given that the exposure was only 25 seconds you’ve done a pretty good job.
    Give it another try and I think you have a winning idea here. In fact, imagine a whole album of different trees painted like this, it would make for some cool viewing….

    • http://www.skaremedia.com Chris

      I don’t think that this is light painting. Although the description is badly written, I think he means that these are actually lights running up the tree and out into the branches.

  • Thad

    The greenery in the foreground is too bright. Darken it too match the background to really bring out the ‘eeriness’ of this photo and it would be…well… really eye popping eery.
    Good eye Milo.

  • http://www.danielsone.com Daniel S.

    Great job on this image.

    I’d say to try it again when the ambient light from the sky is about -0.5 to -1 stop to that of the lights. It should allow the silhouette of the tree to stand out more. You could also use larger lights with frosted bulbs to diffuse the glow and better hide the source, making that glow even more realistic.

  • http://artifexint.com/ surjyabiswas

    Love it Milo!love the lighting and a very cool idea i must say