Thank-you to all who commented on my first attempt with this tree. Here is a second try which may or may not address some of the concerns of the first. It really is a truly interesting tree, but because of its height and location, one either has to shoot through it towards the sky, or stand back and get other, distracting, trees in the background. I've probably taken over 100 pictures of it in the last two days, but these are the only two I would consider posting (though a better photographer might be able to produce better results).
http://www.teglis.com/photo/fm/wa/291-tree-2.jpg
-- Rich
Edited by teglis on Apr 22, 2008 at 06:38 AM GMT (Reason: Changed photo)
Rich-
You have managed to find an absolutely fascinating tree. This tree has A TON of potential I just feel like there is a little too much chaos the way the image stands now. The comparatively bright sky is drawing my eyes away from the mangled and distorted trunk. I would maybe try burning the sky in and dodging the thicker part of the tree (main trunk) to make is stand out a little more. The thinner branches almost look like tangles of nerve endings. Great eye for picking out such an interested subject.
-Cristobal
Apr 20, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
I love this knarly branch. A great example of nature's distortion. I agree with Cristobal's comments about the sky and line of the trunk leading the eye away from focussing on the distorted trunk. I think a landscape crop just above the main trunk might work better. My thoughts, which you can take or leave. I think it is a great image either way.
What a great tree you found!
I think the crop is good. (A close crop would take away a lot of the twists and turns.)
But I agree with Cristobal's comments.
Good luck this week!
A nice perspective on this twisted old tree. I do agree, however, that the background is a bit too cluttered. Maybe a little PS work to remove some of the extra branches from adjacent trees.
Whoa... I like the second one much better. With this treatment that flare could just as easily come from the moon. I'm reminded of the dark, frightening creatures in children's fairy tales. That twisted, ancient soul could turn down and speak to us at any moment...
This is so cool. Excellent work.
Apr 22, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
I love this new shot. I especially like how the branches are reaching up to the light. Your hard work on getting a shot of this tree has definitely paid off. Good luck this week.
Thanks for your encouraging comments on this variation. It is often said that WA is about learning. But sometimes I think we are a little too nice to each-other. I really appreciate the constructive comments earlier. Thanks again.
This is a much better shot than the first one. Much more emotion inherent in it. I particularly like the light of the clouds behind it. One small question: What are those white dots on the big branch on the right and also one just where the trunk splits into the big branches? They may be natural occurrances but i find them a teensly bit distracting insofar as I have toi wonder what they are. Lovely work, though!
