Oliver Morton, A{SA
December 2025 - Hats
Original
About the Image(s)
I took this photograph about a month ago at Brookside Gardens, about two miles from my home. The matching red hats caught my attention. I left enough of the garden area to give context to the image. Processing was done in Camera Raw and consisted primarily of minor cropping and light modifications.
Data: Hasselblad X2D II; 90mm lens; 1/30 sec; f/22; ISO 800.
8 comments posted
Congratulations on seeing the image and capturing it. It's a quirky scene that brings us some novelty on the street. Obviously the couple are the focus and lifting them through your adjustments to give more pop is something I would do too. But I think these could have been made selectively so the couple stand out more against the background. And I would probably go a bit further by lowering brightness, contrast and saturation in the background in a gradient so these parameters fall off with distance. Ie preserve the background but give it a more subtle presence. Posted: 12/02/2025 09:27:37
Mark, I agree with you. The couple needs more separation from the surroundings. I made a few modifications. What do you think?
Posted: 12/17/2025 20:42:21
Posted: 12/17/2025 20:42:21
The matching hats and relaxed posture of the couple immediately draw the viewer in, creating an emotional anchor. Consider a tighter crop from the right side to reduce empty space and bring the focus closer to the couple without losing context.
The soft fall colors and scattered leaves add a peaceful seasonal atmosphere, and the leading line of benches guides the eye deeper into the frame. However, The bright background on the right pulls some attention away from the couple. A touch more separation between the subjects and the background would help emphasize the intimacy you captured
Slightly lower the brightness/exposure on the far-right background so the couple remains the brightest, most prominent element. blur to the background (especially the bright area near the exit) to reduce distractions.
Posted: 12/03/2025 03:18:37
The soft fall colors and scattered leaves add a peaceful seasonal atmosphere, and the leading line of benches guides the eye deeper into the frame. However, The bright background on the right pulls some attention away from the couple. A touch more separation between the subjects and the background would help emphasize the intimacy you captured
Slightly lower the brightness/exposure on the far-right background so the couple remains the brightest, most prominent element. blur to the background (especially the bright area near the exit) to reduce distractions.
Posted: 12/03/2025 03:18:37
Sophia, thank you for your input. After reading what Mark, you, and others said, I modified the image a bit. Please see the new image in my reply to Mark.
Posted: 12/17/2025 20:44:12
Posted: 12/17/2025 20:44:12
Hi Pete. I enjoyed the composition. It gives us the environmental context of where the image is taken. However I agree with Sophia that you could possibly crop some of it out. Perhaps just include the benches and not the pots and fence at the end. I'd also consider desaturating the background, particularly the greens which feel a little overpowering. The tilt of their heads works well, giving just enough separation between them. Posted: 12/08/2025 00:23:13
Suzanne, I cropped the image as you suggested. It definitely brings more attention to the couple. Thank you!
Posted: 12/17/2025 20:47:17
Posted: 12/17/2025 20:47:17
Hi Pete,
This is an amazing capture. I love the couple's attention on one cellphone (usually each person is immersed in their own). I'm thinking that maybe they are checking out their grandkids' images that they just received. Of course, everyone has different taste when it comes to color. For me the colors could be desaturated a little bit. Otherwise, I have no other suggestions. Posted: 12/09/2025 20:59:49
This is an amazing capture. I love the couple's attention on one cellphone (usually each person is immersed in their own). I'm thinking that maybe they are checking out their grandkids' images that they just received. Of course, everyone has different taste when it comes to color. For me the colors could be desaturated a little bit. Otherwise, I have no other suggestions. Posted: 12/09/2025 20:59:49
Beautiful autumn! Beautiful couple! Beautiful photo :) Posted: 12/17/2025 06:43:29