This photo really irritates me, frankly. It had the potential to be wonderful with a few minor changes. I can recreate it any autumn day I want, but I haven’t yet. Anyway, here is my critique:
There is a lot of potential with this shot, but three elements are particularly distracting. For one thing, the yellow of the maple tree overhanging the stream is blown out and looks as much white as it does yellow. A slightly lower exposure would have allowed the tree to be a warm yellow while not detracting from the rest of the image. Another other issue with the photo is the significant dead, negative space in the stream at the lower right of the photo. Perhaps shifting the camera position to the that moss-covered rock so that it takes up more of the bottom portion of the image would help in this regard. The final issue, albeit minor, is with the placement of the yellow of the vine maple. I’d like to see it raised a tad higher. A lower camera angle, cropping, or an increased zoom might accomplish that.
That said, the image is set up nicely, with the stream, moss-covered rocks, autumnal trees, and background evergreens filling the space nicely and evoke the gloomy, yet colorful autumn days of the Pacific Northwest. The long exposure also added a luxurious feel to the tumbling water, yet none of the foliage seems blurred. Depth of field is very good, as everything from the foreground to the farthest evergreens is acceptably in focus. Obvious use of a circular polarizer really helped the image a lot, as there are is no distracting glare off the water surface.
Keep in mind that, as I mentioned in that critique, sometimes the emotion, theme, or sensation that an image suggests is just as important as the compositional elements and technique. Photos are art, and art is supposed to draw you in and make you feel something. Not all photos need to do this with great intent or success, but some are clearly designed to do so, so make sure to mention it if it affects you.]
