Jackie Tree

Quite frankly I can't be brutal as I love the dreamy image quality! This would also be a great combo for portraits.

Barry,
What do you think is wrong? Why doesn't it meet your expectations?
Only thing I would do would be to bump up the contrast when printing (maybe a grade higher) to add alittle spatial difference between fore and background.
Phill

Hi Barry,

The tree trunk could indeed do with more separation from the background, however, I don't think contrast filtering only would solve this. Reshooting it with a longer focal length , if your 4*5 can carry that, might help. Also, I think the picture might be more interesting if some of the light, now visible in the background, would actually "hit" the tree trunk, so waiting for another moment with better light may be of help too.

Be brutal ? OK, knock off the el-cheapo silliness, we don't need to hear that.

Let the picture stand on its own.

And it's a beautiful picture. Do more. I love it.

Like the others Barry, there is no one thing that I find to be brutal about. If you could tell us what you don't like? We all have our own way we would approach this, so the feedback would vary. Maybe try the lens wide open, maybe stopped down more. Play with this if you can try different views - Higher up, lower to the ground - from the left side, from the right....work it man! BTW, I have one of those Caltar 210's and mine is the 6.3 Geronar version (less $$) and will tell you it is a good lens - oh, and don't tell anyone but it will cover 8x10 with a little movement.

I agree with df,
I'm using a rebuild deardorf 8x20, lens with 40-50 year old shutters or no shutter at all other than a lens cap. I print with a light bulb and a vacuum from. And I'm sure others can beat that. Good shot, bump up the contast and lets see it again.

mike

Thank you all very much indeed. I was concerned about the composition and exposure mostly. I appreciate all of your comments very much. I will print it one grade higher and see what I think of that. Thanks again