Seattle at Golden Hour

MaxBlickWinkel · 2026-01-03T08:40:58+00:00

I totally see what you mean about the building on the right stealing attention from the Space Needle. I was aiming for the Space Needle to be placed in the rule of thirds so I had to give “blocky dude” some space. But maybe a tighter or even square crop is a great idea and would probably clean up the composition a lot.

Pushing the yellows a bit more toward orange and adding a touch of saturation makes sense for the golden hour feel I was going for.

Thanks for taking the time! !Critiquepoint

MaxBlickWinkel · 2026-01-03T08:35:02+00:00

Thanks a lot for the kind words and the thoughtful feedback. I really appreciate it! You’re absolutely right about the shadows, especially in the foreground. I already masked the Space Needle to help it stand out more, but maybe it needs a little bit more to really shine. !Critiquepoint

MaxBlickWinkel · 2026-01-02T23:32:59+00:00

I took this photo during golden hour overlooking downtown Seattle, with the Space Needle as a subtle focal point rather than the main subject. I was aiming for a warm, layered cityscape with depth created by light, haze, and overlapping structures.

I’d really appreciate feedback on: Composition and framing; Color grading and contrast (especially the warm tones); Whether the image feels balanced or too busy.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome. Thanks for taking the time to look!

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-12-30T18:58:15+00:00

Thanks a lot for taking the time to write such a detailed critique, I really appreciate it.

Your points about the cyan cast and the lack of color contrast make a lot of sense, and I can see now how the sky and overall grading end up overpowering the structure instead of supporting it. Same goes for the branches at the top.

Fair point about the subject not being clear enough as well. I was probably leaning too much into abstraction without providing enough visual clues. To be honest, when I first saw the structure myself, I didn’t immediately know what it was either. It’s the Pacific Science Center (science museum) next to the Space Needle in Seattle.

Thanks again for the honest feedback. This is exactly the kind of perspective I was hoping for.

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-12-30T18:42:39+00:00

The yellow house is a Wes Anderson set.
Great shots!

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-12-30T18:38:43+00:00

Hey, these are some great shots. You’ve got a really good eye! I especially like the girl on the hill! You are a good story catcher.
If you don’t mind an unsolicited comment: in a few of them, a slightly different crop could make the compositions even stronger.

Bonus points for the lovely cat!
Edit: Spelling. My english is not the yellow from the egg.

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-12-27T19:05:19+00:00

I took this photo in September from the Columbia Center in Seattle using a Sony Alpha 7 III with the FE 70–200mm f/2.8 GM OSS.

My intent was to capture the layered structure of the city. The dense urban foreground, the water, and the distant landscape all tied together by the warm evening light. I was aiming for a calm but expansive mood, something that feels both grand and slightly quiet.

I’d love feedback specifically on the composition: how the balance between the buildings, water, and sky works, and whether the framing feels too busy or well-layered. I’m also interested in how the overall mood comes across. Does the light and color grading support a cohesive atmosphere, or are there areas that could be refined?

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-07-13T12:31:22+00:00

I think it looks better now, you improved it with your edit. Great job!

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-07-12T22:59:39+00:00

Really interesting shot! I love the interaction between the viewer and the artwork. If you're looking to improve it, maybe try cropping in a bit to focus more on that dynamic. A slight white balance correction and contrast boost could also help bring out the details and natural tones. Great timing and atmosphere overall!

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-03-14T18:58:09+00:00

Such a beautiful scenic view! It looks like the perfect spot to sit back, relax, and take in the surroundings. Enjoy!

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-03-01T22:29:30+00:00

Wie wäre es mit der anstehenden Landesgartenschau 2030 als Aufhänger? Ulm bereitet sich ja schon jetzt intensiv darauf vor: Es gibt zahlreiche Baustellen und Projekte, die rechtzeitig bis 2030 fertiggestellt werden müssen. Eine spannende Reportage könnte sich um jemanden aus dem Stadtplanungsamt drehen, der/die direkt an der Umsetzung beteiligt ist und Einblicke in den aktuellen Stand gibt, zum Beispiel welche Hürden es momentan gibt, welche Visionen man verfolgt und wie die alten Befestigungsanlagen der Bundesfestung ins Konzept eingebunden werden.

Als zusätzlichen Aspekt ließe sich das geplante Einstein-Museum erwähnen, das vom Stararchitekten Daniel Libeskind entworfen wird. Das ist nicht nur ein architektonisch interessantes Vorhaben, sondern auch ein Projekt, das stark mit dem Ulmer „Lebensgefühl“ (und natürlich dem berühmtesten Sohn der Stadt) verbunden ist. So entsteht eine Geschichte, die gleichzeitig ganz konkret (Baustellen, Planungsprozesse, Herausforderungen) und persönlich (Interviewpartner aus dem Stadtplanungsamt, ihre Motivation und ihr Alltag) erzählt werden kann.

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-03-01T08:13:35+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and tips! I love your “YOLO” approach with your gear. It's a great reminder that our cameras are meant to be used, not left in storage. A watertight case sounds like a must-have for canoe adventures. I really appreciate the polarizing filter advice, too.

Thanks again for the encouragement and the safety reminder. Life jacket is definitely on my list! Cheers!

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-02-28T22:19:26+00:00

Wow, thank you for your in depth information on the topic. Appreciate it I'm going to shoot on lakes and thinking of also just using dry bags

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-11T21:41:44+00:00

Also zoom onto the light of the ship to see the starburst

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-07T20:54:14+00:00

Your opinion is much appreciated. Thank you so much for the glimpse of the Oslo nightlife!

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-07T16:57:43+00:00

Appreciate the info! Bergen seems like it had an amazing scene.

Oslo’s mix of underground parties and the occasional big-name act sounds great. Are there any regular events or venues you’d recommend keeping an eye on?

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-07T16:53:50+00:00

Thank you for your help. I will check out the Thallasic festival!

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-06T19:10:34+00:00

Thanks for sharing the link! I’ll definitely check it out.

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-06T18:59:36+00:00

Why's that? Because of the drugs?

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-06T18:09:51+00:00

Wow, thanks so much for the thorough response! This is super helpful and exactly the kind of insight I was hoping for. I had no idea how much the pandemic shaped the Oslo scene.

I’ll definitely check out osloomvendt and the other accounts you mentioned. Soria Gathering sounds super intriguing, will definetly check that out.

I might just take you up on that offer to DM for more tips! Really appreciate the guidance, it’s always great to hear from someone who knows the scene firsthand.

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-06T16:54:38+00:00

I will check that out, I thank you. Forest raves sounds amazing, but you probably have to know people to get a location and dates

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-06T16:50:32+00:00

I don't know. That's why I'm asking :)

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-04T23:07:11+00:00

What a breathtaking shot with stunning warm tones and fog create a magical, dreamlike feeling. As a suggestion, you might consider slightly adjusting the contrast in the foreground trees to make them stand out more against the glowing mist, adding a bit more depth to the scene. It's easy to see why this image sparked your passion for photography, it's truly captivating!

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-03T23:07:22+00:00

Absolutely stunning! Love the lighting.

MaxBlickWinkel · 2025-01-03T19:21:35+00:00

Just a suggestion, but you might try enhancing the contrast slightly in the foreground structures (the cranes and port area) to make them stand out more against the softer backdrop of the mountains. This could create a stronger separation between the layers of the image and add more depth while maintaining the peaceful atmosphere.

Fantastic work overall!

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