R.G. Loc: Scotland

I suspected that there might be something lurking in the shadows. Selective lightening and darkening is easily achievable.

Nightski

:D Yup ... lurking .. actually I felt like I was the one lurking. This is the second morning in a row I've been in front of that house lurking in the dark. LOL Yesterday it was so cold .. strong wind out of the north ... i just could not focus my camera manually ... every time I would get close I would slip and mess it up because I was so cold .. went back to the car three times to warm up. Then I started worrying someone would call the police or something so I gave up. It was much warmer this morning. It was 30F and snowing. It was gorgeous actually. We got about 4 inches.

I'll post an edit .

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Would you have been wearing your full-face balaclava? And a hood as well? Yep, definitely not good lurking attire. It's good to see you've overcome your aversion to blue snow :thumbup: .

Nightski

OMG ... I never thought of that!! My face was completely covered and I am dressed all in black. Oh geez! :oops:

R.G. Loc: Scotland

That sounds kind of scary. You'd better watch that you don't give some unsuspecting soul a heart attack :) .

buddah17 Loc: The Bahamas

I would like to critique this artistically rather than technically in regards to digital imaging..
Lets look at the 7 elements of art first:
(I will list only those that I feel are revenant to the image.)
-Line
There is an abundance of lines shown via the strings of the bright blue color lights.
-Color
Represented throughout via the blue color lights, and the multi color "presents" below the tree.
-Shape
The major shape is dominated by the outline of the tree to the darkened background. There are a series of "minor" shapes made by the strings of lights and the gifts.
-Space
A great variety of space throughout (including the large negative space on the right that some seem to like and some don't.) Elements that cause discussion are always a good thing.
-Texture
Created in the negative spaces throughout the tree by the illumination of the pine needles by the blue lights. (Also the delicate snow on the lower right shows its granular texture due to the soft lighting over it.
Now the Principals of Art (Used to organize the elements.)
-Balance
The piece has great asymmetrical Balance caused by the tree being placed more of the left side of the image. Personally I feel that one of the "lighted presents" (illuminated green?) placed in the bottom right of the image, and tilting inward,) would change the balance a little bit and make the large negative space there less distracting.
-Emphasis
This principal is a bit difficult to decide in this piece. Is it the tree (or the lights that "make up" the shape of the tree?) Do the multi color presents come into play?
-Contrast
Lots of that represented as the image was made in the night, and the vast amount of negative (and VERY dark) space, in contrast to the lights.
-Rhythm
Played by the winding string of lights.
-Pattern
Made by the same strings of lights.
-Unity
How does the elements and principals work together? In reviewing the critique the piece does show unity.
All in all most of the principals and elements of art are duly represented here, meaning the work is legitimate from an artistic point of view.
If asked what changes I might try, I would say via photoshop, add the multi color lit present to the bottom right, as pointed out previously, (to make the balance a bit less asymmetrical) and MAYBE try a "star" halo light in the darkness right above (but not touching) the top of the tree, to help pull the eye up from the triangle composition that is "heavy" on he bottom axis...

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Its simple and its elegant but not sure it works as as image. The camera has recorded what it could cope with light wise missing out a huge amount of information the eyes will either see or as the scene is known to you the brain will remember what is behind the decoration and fill in some of the gaps. To complete the image it needs a faint hint of what is behind it. That can run into total darkness at the edge of the frame. Just in complete darkness its almost cold and lacking soul. It needs a connection with people.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

This is a picture of an illuminated tree, it goes no further than that. There is far too much black void. It needs the lights to be reflected from or illuminating something, a window or wall behind it? The window with it's bright colours does nothing for the picture, in fact, it would be better if it were not there. The tree alone in a pool of illuminated snow could work, the pool of light could be extended and brightened in PP.
Sometimes we have to accept that things we see and look good to us don't always translate to a good picture. It happens to me all the time.

waltchilds Loc: Central Florida

I like this image exactly the way you shot it. The tree pops out in the dark and the colors are excellent. This could easily be a post card for Christmas.

Nightski

Arrrgggg! Okay ... no more tries!

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I would ad even more space to the right and chop off some of the top and use the negative space for your Christmas Greeting next year.
I agree that if you can get more base snow to show that would be a plus also.
I am not sure that I am seeing a little camera shake or not. I would be tempted to go back with a tripod and see what happens.
I love the colors and like you the simplicity of it. Christmas card or not I think it needs the negative space on the right.

Nightski

Thank you, Walt and Country's Mama. I agree that it could make a nice Christmas card. No, not motion blur .. DOF blur on the tree .. the presents are sharp. I thank Graham too ... I think he is pushing me ... I think he doesn't want me to settle for the Christmas card shot. I think if I had gone down to the tree lighting ceremony this year and caught a moment with people lighting the tree .. or children watching in awe .. Graham would have been happy with my shot.

carlysue Loc: Columbus

I can see why you love this decoration,Sandra. It is soothing and quieting. I love that it has this much negative space and that it is night and dark. The only thing I'd consider removing is the presents, the green and red objects. They detract from the "All is calm, All is bright" feeling.

Nightski

Thank you, Carly Sue ... I think you have just encouraged me to go find a real tree decorated for Christmas out in the country with lots of space around it. :-)

carlysue Loc: Columbus

Good idea altho' you may have to hurry. People tend to take down Christmas right after New Year's here. OR you could knock on their door and ask if they'd let you know when they will undo the tree and maybe you can get a shot without the gifts?