Minimalism & Repost

This is pretty minimal, Dennis. I like the concept, I like the mood, and I like the tuft of grass in the foreground. I think the little bit of grass toward the left distracts.  I'd probably clone that one out. The faint horizon line works well with no mergers and it gives the photo some spatial dimension. I also like the faint reflection of the grass in the foreground. Well seen, and executed.

I like the minimalist look, Dennis. In fact, I would probably like this even better w/o the duck. I might lighten the image, however. I don't think having it brighter would detract from the moody feel.

There is a hint of a horizon through the fog. I would make that hint just a bit stronger because it's almost unoticeable. Then I would crop it so that you get a square frame that includes all of the bottom. And finally I would expose the image more to give the fog a lighter feeling to it. I really like the idea of this and all the elements are there and in their right places. Nice job.

Dense fog is such wonderful stuff, with how it "shrinks" the visual world but seems to enhance the acoustic world.  I like this very minimalist view with it's focus on the branches and their reflection while getting added interest from the duck and the very subtle shoreline.  I wouldn't change the shoreline a bit.  I think it's perfect at just barely visible.

Hi  Dennis    Very  creative,  and beautifully  composed.     a  minimalist  scene  with  all  the subjects in  perfect  harmony,  creating  a  wonderful   peaceful mood.


Albert Darmo
Canada

That sure is a fitting title! The large piece of grey works for me, and I like the reflection of that lonely plant a lot.

You really did get some good shots in the fog at Nisqually. I would have also left the duck but I did so on some of my other fog images and people also thought the images would be better without. So I'm not surprised by some of the criticism you received. Fog does create minimalism. I think minimalism leads to some wonderful images. Well seen and good work.

Dennis,

This is terrific!  Minimalist indeed, definitely appealing for me! It doesn't get any simpler than this.  Personally, I think the little duck really adds to the scene.  If anything providing simple context.  I'm glad too there is a hint of texture in the water.  and I'm guessing the "horizon line" is actually just ripples in the water? or is that land?  doesn't matter though.

I do agree with Scott about the brightness.  This works well as presented, but you might experiement with brightness - you could even carry this to a very high key image that might work (have no idea if it would....) Just a thought.  Of course it should be based on your mood and what you want to portray.

No matter how you slice it up, this is wonderfully captured.

Lon

Very moody and evocative image, Dennis. I love the hint of the tree and shoreline in the BG; it adds another wonderful element to the scene. I could also see this just a bit brighter and a little crop from all the sides to place more of an emphasis on those wonderful elements you have here. Not necessarily better, just another alternative. Beautifully done.

Ed

Based on some of the comments posted here (Thank you all for your kind  attention), here's a modified file.  Did I go too far?

Dennis,

Too far?  In what regard?  I love the crop and I think the added exposure works beautifully.  I say "too far" because I think you could experiment going even further in terms of exposure.  The good news is that your subject matter and elements (duck, grass, fog) are there no matter how bright or dark you take this.  You've got a winner which ever way you take this.

I do prefer this one over the original, if I had to choose.

Lon

Dennis, 

I think this repost is considerably better than the original. Darkening the duck to act as a counterpoint to the reeds was a good move. The image still has the mood you were striving for. 

I much prefer the repost. Were it mine, I would take the brightening far further to a high key or almost high key presentation. But we all have different visions for our work and that keeps things more interesting.

I'm liking the work that you put into the repost, Dennis. I think the duck works better in that version too. The nice thing about minimalist images is that they seem to provide a lot of latitude for personal interpretations.

Great concept and very well executed, Dennis. The repost is superb. Really like all the elements in the minimalistic image. I might also consider going with your original cropr. But excellent image overall.

What Lon said; go high key! Awesome shot Dennis.