Hello,

I would like to read  your opinion about this picture. I like it a lot and I think it has potential. How could I improve it? I am still thinking how to name it. Location is : Terminillo Mountains, Italy. Canon 77D + Sigma 17-70 mm f2.8-4,  F11 1/500 ISO 200.

Thank you!

Good light, 

Valentin Borsan

Hello, Valentin. Welcome to our forum. Thank you for submitting your B&W image for critique. I will tell you my personal feelings about it. It sure is a nice view to look at. I can see that you are capable of creating landscapes with good composition and that you have knowledge of the rule of thirds and can use your Canon camera quite effectively. However, when I look at this image in regard to my seven year experience in 1x, I can say that the originality aspect to improve the image might be the first option that I would choose if I had to vote for it. These landscape scenes have been produced so much on 1x. Then there are two more features I want to stress. The first is about the dark sky on the right. It seems to take the energy out of the scene. I think the editing process made it look even more noisier. The third thing that I want to mention is the exessive and distracting texture in the image. Starting with the grass in the foreground, the hut, the hills and the sky all have a load of texture and each texture adds a different aspect to the image. My eyes only find partial relief on the cloud that I actually disliked before. Because all of the load here the image bears tention to me. Or I might have been already be stressed for some time before I looked at your image and the textures that are all over the image made me feel restless. I am sorry if I hurt your feelings here. I just wanted to express my  I think the image does not have potential to me. I might be completly on the wrong side here as we are talking about s subjective reason here.

Then let me ask you if I may. Why do you think that your image has potential? I want to ask this as I want to understand your reasons in interpreting it. Below there is one possible crop I would offer here. I wish you good light...Cicek

Hi Valentin,

my recommendation: a little more contrast and a cut - golden spiral - front of the hut.

Greetings

Udo

PS: only you can determine the basic brightness - you were on site

Valentin,

First of all, Cicek gave you a very good comment and I agree with her. But I tried to make this composition a little bit better in of course my personal vision for what it is.  I straightend, lightend and darkend a little bit and did a crop with 16/9. Only to become a little bit other view.  Theo L.

Valentin,

Thank you for sharing with us here in Critique.  Some suggestions have been offered already, but I will offer my thoughts on the image.  

First, the compostion with the edge of the building precisely centered horizontally suggests a balance between the mountain representing Nature, and the small house representing Man.   I think the light/dark balance from left to right supports this theme.  To me, the photo tells a story of a harsh life, but a hopeful one with darkness behind and light ahead.  The building is rustic and simple - but strong.  The sky has drama, and the mountain looks like a wave about to break on the house, but it looks strong and solid, and it will endure. 

Here in this part of Canada there are many old farmhouses still standing.  When I see them I think of the hard, honest lives that were lived there in harmony with Nature. 

Perhaps I read too much meaning into photographs.   

A perfect title could help viewers find the theme you want them to.  You wrote that you like it a lot.  That makes it a successful image.  I think all of us have photos that we love - but can't really explain why we do.  It's good to trust your instincts. 

That's my 2¢ worth. 

. . . .   Steven, senior critic