The Handshake

Gallery: FloraPosted September 20, 201088 views18 comments

There is a marvelous old, gnarled Monterrey Oak not too far from my house. Yesterday was the first visit of what I'm sure will be many. The tree is quite large and there appear to be many different ways to frame various parts of it.

The image is hand-held. It was spitting rain; the light was poor, and until I return, I'm not sure whether the light will be best late in the afternoon or early in the morning. Just judging from yesterday's foray, I suspect it will depend on what part of the tree I'm shooting.

70-200mm lens @ 200mm, f/5.6, + .7EV, ISO 800.

Thanks for your critiques as well as any tree-shooting suggestions.

Carol

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on September 20, 2010 at 1:11 PM

Carol, with whites dominating the frame, I'd suggest burning the darkest areas to a complete black if possible. Lovely take on an unusual subject for the flora forum. A 1 pixel border may not hurt either

Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Duff on September 20, 2010 at 3:09 PM

I'm not in any proficent in BW conversions. So I"ll cop out and go what Ram suggests.

Registered on April 21, 2010, 160 Posts, 1675 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on September 20, 2010 at 3:31 PM

Hi Carol. I really like the high key treatment with the black and white. Nice use of vignetting also. Nicely done.

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on September 20, 2010 at 3:35 PM

Wonderfully creative Carol. I agree that increasing the blacks is worthwhile.

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

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on September 20, 2010 at 6:48 PM

Very unique image, Carol. Charming job. I agree with Ram's advice about a black border.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on September 20, 2010 at 9:39 PM

Carol,

I like the perspective and composition. I don't know that I'd do anything with this other than add a border. I'm having trouble seeing this differently.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on September 20, 2010 at 10:09 PM

Hi Carol,
I think the high key treatment makes this work. I often notice the beauty of scenes such as this, but rarely succeed in capturing them, so I appreciate what you have done here. I think I would like to see this "finished" with either a border as suggested, or with the edges fading completely to white.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on September 20, 2010 at 10:27 PM

Carol:
You have a knack of finding 'ordinary' subjects (in the sense that we see them everywhere but only giving them casual glances) and making engaging images out of them.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on September 20, 2010 at 10:38 PM

Hi Carol

I find trees fascinating

This one is no exception!!The lines and texture are very interesting. Agree with Ram. That burning the darkest areas to black would give the image more impact

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Miro Susta on September 21, 2010 at 4:53 AM

Very creative image Carol. You have captured a very nice details of this old tree. Actually I like it as it is. I'm not sure whether it can be improved by any post-treatment. Well done indeed.

Registered on August 18, 2006, 719 Posts, 3736 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on September 21, 2010 at 6:11 AM

I find this very interesting, and I like it as posted, and it takes a good eye to pull it off. Well done Carol.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Muhammad Zaid Wani on September 21, 2010 at 6:53 AM

Very strong image, Carol.

Registered on August 18, 2005, 23 Posts, 1406 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on September 21, 2010 at 12:10 PM

Personally I like what you have done here with this ventage look about the image. Beautifully executed and presented.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on September 21, 2010 at 2:26 PM

Great vignetting Carol. Nice conversion.

Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on September 21, 2010 at 7:00 PM

There's a lot of stories this old tree could tell, no doubt! A very creative approach for this shot. Way to stretch yourself as an artist!

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

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on September 22, 2010 at 10:49 AM

Absolutely intriguing, Carol ! I love it !!! It has the feel of an old photo, one which goes so well with the subject I feel, and the mood is accentuated by the vignetting. Very creative !

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Debashis Bandyopad on September 23, 2010 at 7:55 AM

Very nice capture Carol.. I agree with Ram's comments though.

Registered on June 24, 2007, 130 Posts, 1309 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on September 23, 2010 at 3:35 PM

Carol: Well seen and really well processed. I'm uncertain about a border but I am sure about how I like the vignetting. Very well done.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments