Saguaro

Looking for critique of this one. The slide is a little more impactful than the jpg, but I want to get responses before altering it. I am interested in critique of the whole image, but particularly I am looking for: 1.) It's impact or lack thereof on you, the viewer, 2.) on your screen and to your eyes is the subject (cactus) clear enough or does it get lost in the sky.

Thanks for any and all feedback!

Nikon FM2n, Sigma 24mm lens f2.8, Kodak E100VS, tripod, mirror lock, bulb setting.

A very strong impact for me. The orange and blue color works really well. There is plenty of detail in the saguaro and enough light in that part of the sky to define it - I think the shot would lose some of its strength and mystery were it better lit. The composition is very strong as well with the cactus well ballanced by the negative space. I like the barely seen bush that anchors the lower left.

This is one that I would love to see printed.

Rick, amazing shot that really grabs me. Have to echo Chunk and a lot of what he said. I think the cactus is defined just right. The colors are really amazing and this would definitely be a wonderful print and frame image.

Add me to the list of admirers. What grabs me is that my mind grasps the lightning as coming from the ground, springing up much like the cactus. Great image!

I think the impact is there on the right side where all the action is. But to me the left loses the right here, especially the bushes to the left. Have you thought about a vertical crop? I think that would work best. Something like this.

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/296/19wh1.jpg

Thanks you all for the feedback! That's exactly what I was looking for, to see if it grabbed attention and was worth displaying/framing.

Leels, I played with a tighter crop like the one you suggested. For some reason, I prefered it with the negative space on the left. It adds a mystery to the image to me. I do like your vertical crop for magazines which I may try to get it in some day.

Thanks to you all!

Rick

I think this photo came out very well (at least what I am seeing on my screen). The cactus might benefit from being a tad brighter but IMO not very much. I don’t know if all the black on the left side works for me that well (maybe a vertical crop?). Overall I find the picture to have very good impact.

Greg

My first response: Wow, I really wish I had the time to hang with you in Arizona. Next time, most definitely
My second response: Wow, awesome, Rick!
My third response: All that extra space on the left irks me. The subject matter is the interplay of saguaro and lightning, so crop to the saguaro and the lightning strikes. I think it would have a great impact that way. Now I'll go read what everyone else said :)

Couldn't agree more with you on the cropping issue. I think that (in addition to breaking the rule of thirds) cropping the shot and centering the lightening/Saguaro portion ruins the feel of the picture. I like the mystery and vagueness of the area on the left. I like how it leaves you wondering/imagining what else there is.