Backlit Baobab w repost

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 19, 2016152 views13 comments

Backlit baobab on the cliffs of Epupa falls on the border between Namibia and Angola.
The water level had risen fast in the river and there were a lot of segment carried with the water, giving rise to the brownish tone.

I can't make up my mind if I prefer the image as posted or a tighter version (will post that as a comment). If you have any preference please let me know.

Critiques and comments are as always very much appreciated.

/Johan

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Johan Malmros on February 19, 2016 at 4:47 PM

Registered on January 6, 2011, 20 Posts, 154 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 20, 2016 at 8:48 AM

The sunlit streaks, the tree shapes and the river all come together very well here, Johan. I also like the tighter view of the repost. However, I prefer the original because it shows off the tree near the top of the left bank so nicely. That leads me to suggest another crop, from the left and bottom, but keeping all of that largest tree silhouetted against the skyline.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on February 20, 2016 at 12:29 PM

This is great, excellent use of the harsh midday light! It does look a bit soft though. Cropwise I would agree with Mark, even though the original comp works very well for me too.

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on February 20, 2016 at 2:27 PM

Lovely light and wonderful shapes, here, Johan. I prefer the original to the tighter crop for the reasons Mark stated. Nicely done.

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on February 20, 2016 at 4:37 PM

DARN cool image! Not much to nit pick here. Just a great scene. I like the original post. Maybe a little blue in the sky could be nice.

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Basil Greber on February 21, 2016 at 1:14 AM

Have you thought about cropping out the bottom left? The foreground there doesn't do much for me, but I like the tree "skyline", so I'd suggest keeping that. ;)

Registered on November 8, 2005, 219 Posts, 1340 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 21, 2016 at 2:06 AM

Johan,

This is terrific! Here is a great example of how highlights and washed out skies can really be a compliment to a scene. I'm really liking the monochromic, high contrast presentation. The beams of light are central to the beauty of this capture. and for that reason, I'm leaning towards the crop as those beams are really emphasized there. I think though, that there is a compromise between the two; I would like to see more of the tree in the UL starting from the second, cropped image.

I love how the raging river is portrayed here with the long exposure and the forming of the standing waves.

Excellent job!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 21, 2016 at 8:54 AM

Very cool!! I like the first, wider post. I like this a lot.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Johan Malmros on February 21, 2016 at 9:49 AM

Thanks for all you comments. Very much appreciated.
Cropping out the lower left, left me with too little water in my view, while keeping the 3:2 ratio.
For comparison I'll add a version with another ratio.

Registered on January 6, 2011, 20 Posts, 154 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on February 21, 2016 at 11:21 AM

Final crop is the winner for me Johan. Very well done! This would make a great black&white too.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 21, 2016 at 10:25 PM

Hi Johan

Agree with john's comment.. cool

. the final crop works best to showing the dramatic light and power of the river..

Albert Darmo
Canada