Live Oak

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 4, 2009706 views33 comments

I shot this on Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia. the live oaks there are amazing, but for me they are hard to capture w/out having an image that is too busy. I added a little Orton just to soften it for web viewing - otherwise, compression really killed it. I also cropped to 4x5 ratio.

I'm curious about the comp - does this work? or is it just a jumbled mess?

thanks for any comments / suggestions

Wade

Comments

33 comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on May 4, 2009 at 2:08 PM

Complex yet beautiful, Wade. Outstanding in all aspects IMO.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on May 4, 2009 at 2:25 PM

This is beautiful Wade, a well organized composition of this rich environment. Some of the whites look a little muted for some reason, could partly be the web version, but thought I'd point it out. I love the palms in the foreground.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Jesse Speer on May 4, 2009 at 2:51 PM

Amazing photograph. Well done Wade. The Orton effect is very appropriate for the subject matter - apart from web considerations.

Registered on September 18, 2004, 19 Posts, 339 Comments

Comment posted by Mitch Erwin on May 4, 2009 at 2:54 PM

Wade, very nice. The chaotic nature is not a deal breaker for me. I love how the image has a metallic tone to it.

Registered on April 24, 2006, 98 Posts, 656 Comments

Comment posted by Igor on May 4, 2009 at 2:57 PM

Shees, what a creation. This is really neat Wade. That is really being creative. Those ghost like forms coming out of the background. Spanish moss really adds to it. I agree, the picture would be less without the palms in the foreground.

I think this is just great. A wonderful image, really.

Registered on February 22, 2009, 12 Posts, 618 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on May 4, 2009 at 3:10 PM

Great subject and excellent execution. Love this photo!

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Ellingsen on May 4, 2009 at 3:37 PM

I think its awesome Wade. In a perfect world, there should be some palms along the right edge to match the left side, but nothing you could do about that. I think this is great.

Registered on January 16, 2008, 56 Posts, 953 Comments

Comment posted by Laurent Baig on May 4, 2009 at 3:46 PM

Very pretty Wade.

Registered on January 12, 2005, 206 Posts, 6784 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Kayne on May 4, 2009 at 3:59 PM

Very tasty, Wade!!!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Verena & Georg Pop on May 4, 2009 at 4:04 PM

Whoa! I really like this one!
The orton I can do without, but it doesn't really hurt.
forget this "too busy" thinking. the comp works very well. just where the hell is Tarzan hiding?

georg

Registered on July 5, 2006, 272 Posts, 2823 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on May 4, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Oh yes, it works great. On of the best tree images posted here I think. Light and processing look great too.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on May 4, 2009 at 4:32 PM

You did an awesome job on the comp; I really like it. I'm struggling with the Orton though, because my eye keeps getting tricked into thinking everything is covered in ash.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on May 4, 2009 at 5:45 PM

A different look to be sure. A very artisitic interpretation. Well done.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by George Stocking on May 4, 2009 at 5:52 PM

this totally rocks...

Registered on July 3, 2008, 53 Posts, 275 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on May 4, 2009 at 6:22 PM

Very intriguing shot, love the palmettos? in front. Lots to absorb here and nicely done

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on May 4, 2009 at 6:59 PM

Fantastic work Wade. Your composition while complex is just excellent. Love the range of tones and the exquisite details. A remarkable image that is far from a jumbled mess. Well done.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Wegemann on May 4, 2009 at 7:20 PM

You nailed it! This is outstanding and I love it.

Registered on December 14, 2006, 58 Posts, 1888 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on May 4, 2009 at 7:22 PM

Wade, I think this works quite well compositionally, with the palmettos framing up from the bottom and LHS giving good definition to the composition. Reminds me of some of Clyde Butcher's work. While admittedly complex, I think you were able to reduce the chaos at hand into simpler terms. May just be my monitor, but it seems it could stand a shade more contrast (?)

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on May 4, 2009 at 9:31 PM

Awesome, love the conversion. Wonderful detail throughout.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Dolde on May 4, 2009 at 10:22 PM

Very appealing Wade. I love seeing images that are not the norm.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 305 Posts, 3900 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on May 4, 2009 at 10:34 PM

Spectacular! It's busy but in the nicest way. My eye really enjoys exploring the frame. The light and textures really hold my interest.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on May 4, 2009 at 10:39 PM

wow, incredible image. Love how you framed the tree with the palmetto. Beautiful scene, and beautiful image.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Nye Simmons on May 4, 2009 at 11:39 PM

its just got a lot of stuff going on - belongs on your wall - doesnt seem to have any wasted space

Registered on December 12, 2004, 112 Posts, 1111 Comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on May 5, 2009 at 2:12 AM

The composition works great and the unusual interpretation of the scene really puts the image over the top. Beautiful!

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on May 5, 2009 at 2:33 AM

Wade,

Works real well for me. Great range of tones and the patterns in the palms is excellent.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Pedro Bento on May 5, 2009 at 5:52 AM

Wade, this is just awesome, a real winner for shore!

Registered on September 2, 2007, 45 Posts, 761 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Rossbach on May 5, 2009 at 11:29 AM

Outstanding work Wade!!!

Registered on November 25, 2005, 484 Posts, 1377 Comments

Comment posted by Darwin Wiggett on May 6, 2009 at 4:35 PM

Flipping great! This one floors me! What an amazing piece of work. Darwin

Registered on November 1, 2003, 100 Posts, 1327 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Suro on May 6, 2009 at 6:12 PM

I like this a lot! Love the complexity. Well done.

Registered on June 24, 2006, 267 Posts, 2273 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on May 9, 2009 at 8:09 PM

Wade,

This is outstanding! I'm only sorry I didn't get to this sooner. Even for the somewhat light presentation, this has a bit of a spooky look to it - wouldn't want to be there in the dark, that's for sure.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Bruno Silva on May 11, 2009 at 6:07 AM

I just have to like this one, dramatic and beautifull environment. vell done wade...

Registered on May 6, 2009, 132 Posts, 1406 Comments

Comment posted by Rosemarie Arbur on May 12, 2009 at 2:13 AM

Fantastic tones and textures! Congrats

Registered on March 19, 2008, 189 Posts, 1644 Comments

Comment posted by Buck Ward on May 12, 2009 at 6:04 PM

I've had he same concerns as you, when I see a scene like this, so I usually pass it by, or if I do take it, I end up deleting it. Anyhow, THANKS for posting this one. Shows how it coould/should be done. I enjoy looking at it.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments