Tortured

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 7, 2010459 views22 comments

Throughout the trip out west I would see these twisted old shrubs but never something that really worked. Finally, on the last day, at Coyote Buttes South, I came upon this scene. I have let it sit because i still wasn't sure about it. Then I tried a conversion and thought it was much stronger. But, I would love your opinions.

Thanks as always for the critiques on the last,
Paul

5d2, Tamron 28-75@45

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on January 7, 2010 at 8:55 PM

Awesome Paul,

Good choice on the conversion and the semi coffee tint works. This looks like a whip scorpion or something.
Love these shots, my new favorite of yours.
Great job

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

Comment posted by Jim Greenwood on January 7, 2010 at 9:12 PM

This is really quite stunning! It just might motivate me to try B&W conversions of some similar photos I've taken over the years which never worked too well for me in color either.

Registered on November 9, 2003, 229 Posts, 1523 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Costall on January 7, 2010 at 9:37 PM

Well done. I like the conversion.

Registered on April 9, 2009, 13 Posts, 67 Comments

Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on January 7, 2010 at 9:52 PM

This is a memorable scene Paul. Amazing and powerfull image. Cheers

Registered on July 22, 2009, 62 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 7, 2010 at 10:27 PM

This almost feels like an organism under water. Very lovely. The conversion works great, but I'd maybe add a little blue to make the sandstone look more natural

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

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on January 7, 2010 at 10:52 PM

Delightful Paul! That shrub feels as if its alive! One of my favorites from that trip of yours.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on January 7, 2010 at 11:12 PM

I really like the graphic nature of this Paul. The B&W works well here.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on January 7, 2010 at 11:34 PM

very strong image, Paul. perfect in b/w

Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 7, 2010 at 11:36 PM

Serpent like in its appearance. Good job.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on January 8, 2010 at 12:24 AM

Your conversion makes it sing. Marvelous light and lines.

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

Comment posted by Jay Nielsen on January 8, 2010 at 4:38 AM

I really like your conversion. The totally twisted branches jump out of the darkness in to make this look very 3D.

Registered on October 6, 2008, 137 Posts, 720 Comments

Comment posted by beth summer on January 8, 2010 at 10:13 AM

I really like this, Paul. The driftwood really stands out against the stone. It's a wodnerful abstract. Print large!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 437 Posts, 5220 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on January 8, 2010 at 10:54 AM

Thanks guys,

Tony, I saw the blues, don't worry.

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on January 8, 2010 at 1:42 PM

Nice conversion Paul. This image really draws you in because of the shapes of the dead bush. The dark background makes it stick out even more. Nice work!

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on January 8, 2010 at 6:00 PM

Beautiful composition. The contrast is perfect. I like everything about this.

Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on January 8, 2010 at 6:42 PM

Im not sure many people would hang this on their wall, but i think its pretty cool, Paul. Reminds me of some kind of deep sea critter.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 8, 2010 at 7:29 PM

This is very wild Paul. Unique and fascinating the way the twisted branches stand out against the background. Now no one else has mentioned this I don't think, but it almost looks like a little fill-flash was used. You didn't mention it, so maybe it's just how the lighting was plus any processing you may have done. In either case, I really like this.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on January 8, 2010 at 8:50 PM

Very cool abstract. Well done sir!

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on January 8, 2010 at 10:16 PM

This has tremendous graphic appeal, Paul. The branches seem to be floating in air against those rocks. B/W works great with this. Excellent work.

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

Comment posted by Igor on January 9, 2010 at 1:31 AM

Beautiful image. Regardless of what it is.

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

Comment posted by Guy Tal on January 9, 2010 at 1:35 PM

Very interesting interpretation, Paul. I like it a lot! There's no reason why an image can't work in both color and B&W. The moods will be very different but both can be successful images in their own right.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on January 9, 2010 at 8:48 PM

Wow, I didn't expect this! The thumbnail gave me no indication that you were living up to your typical, high standards with this photograph. I'm not one to appreciate a lot of dark, but it's working here. I actually can't even describe why I'm so struck by the image, but the moment it opened, I was floored. I guess maybe it's a good mix of deeper message and the tangible aspects.

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments