So Cliché

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 29, 2010291 views20 comments

Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado.

Ok, so maybe I don't like long narratives, but I will say a little bit for Tony's sake

This image was an afterthought, as I was hanging around the Cimarron River near SilverJack Reservoir looking for fall color reflections in the water. I was tempted to place a nice leaf on a rock and see what it did for me. So, I went ahead and did the unthinkable and placed this leaf on a rock I selected that had some nice ripples around it. There was a hint of fall color reflecting in the ripples, so I kept shooting until I got a cool looking set of ripples. It is what it is and I normally don't set up simple images like this and probably won't do many more like it. It's definitely not unique... more like cliché. Not so normal drive for me on the way down after shooting here, as this was the same day as my 4Runner crash.

Canon 5Dmk2, 90mm TS-E, placed leaf.

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Glatt on October 29, 2010 at 2:59 PM

You shouldn't restrict yourself from making images like this in the future. I wouldn't characterize this as being cliche at all--it is very well done. I really like the color combinations and the perspective that you chose to showcase such a nice leaf.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 171 Posts, 3566 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on October 29, 2010 at 3:03 PM

There's probably a reason why shots like this resonate with us, 'cause they work! I think it's wonderful, awesome contrast of colors, super sharp, nice ripples, way to go

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 29, 2010 at 4:09 PM

Sounds like the photography Gods punished you a little for the set-up (just kidding of course, glad you survived that incredible crash).

I like how it's simple, colors and textures are great. It does look a little "crooked" but that's my own perspective

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on October 29, 2010 at 5:48 PM

Cliche' or not, you pulled it off especially well. The ripples make the difference for me.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on October 29, 2010 at 6:14 PM

Real nice colors and patterns, Jimmy. Not sure it was worth the price of a new 4Runner, but nice image.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Andrew Finlayson on October 29, 2010 at 7:40 PM

While photographers that have viewed loads of images would possibly consider this cliche, the general viewing public would just consider this a lovely shot. I suspect this type of image sells well.

IMO, this is a lovely shot, the contrasting yellow leaf on blue water is great and the golden highlights in the water serve to tie the shot together. Really nice work.

Registered on July 29, 2010, 26 Posts, 404 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on October 29, 2010 at 8:35 PM

What happened did your leaf sprinkler break and only spit one leaf?

Ok, I'm loving the title because it's true but you pulled it off well enough to rise above the cliche status.

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Ward on October 29, 2010 at 9:47 PM

Jimmy,

Your title made me laugh... A cliche, in my mind, is a truism that stands the test of time... it's so true, we come to make fun of it. This is a lovely, rich image. Simple color and lines that all work very well together. Very Well Seen!... Love the sense of motion.

Registered on February 26, 2009, 304 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 29, 2010 at 10:20 PM

I really like the comp here Jimmy and the yellow and blue are always a great pair together. Nice ripples in the water as well.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on October 29, 2010 at 11:04 PM

Cliché

What? Is everyone putting leaves on rocks? The strong color contrast works great here and the ripples are the perfect frame. I think it's a real nice image. Would maybe clone that white speck on the lover left near the edge.

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on October 30, 2010 at 1:53 AM

Fantastic, Jimmy. The yellow/blue contrast is superb, and wonderful curves created by the ripples, the rock's form and leaf's form, gives this a very graphic appeal. Not cliche to me at all.

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

Comment posted by Larry Fischer on October 30, 2010 at 9:21 AM

Nothing wrong with a leaf pic. This is a nice one, too.

It is still a moment in time, and it reminds us that everything is always changing yet eternally the same.

the fisch

Registered on July 28, 2008, 155 Posts, 874 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Hackett on October 30, 2010 at 9:34 AM

I normally don't like 'placed' elements, but that's only if they look and feel placed and this doesn't ring phony with me. I really like this. If it works, it works, and this does.

Registered on March 13, 2006, 65 Posts, 1119 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on October 30, 2010 at 1:23 PM

Those curved parallel lines framing the leaf really make this. Nicely put together.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on October 30, 2010 at 2:12 PM

Jimmy,

Cliche or not, when a leaf is placed in a scene and it looks good and not contrived, you've done well. Although one could say the leaf is "placed" here, to me this image isn't about the leaf - but about the shapes, lines, colors and patterns. the leaf makes a great focal point, but there is so much more to this image and I think you've pulled off a great looking cliche!

My only minor nit. The central vein in the leaf looks quite fluorescent green. I might fix that.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on October 30, 2010 at 7:54 PM

Man that is one sickly looking aspen leaf--if you were gonna do cliche, you should have at least got a pristine one!

Actually, cliche might have been floating it in the water--which might have worked even better, with all those nice ripples...

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 31, 2010 at 3:41 PM

My only nit would be to have a leaf with not so many defects, but what a great use of comp, lines, and color.

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

Comment posted by Ron Pederson on October 31, 2010 at 4:09 PM

However it happened...this one came out fine. Like the ripples and color combination. Strong composition...

Registered on October 19, 2010, 95 Posts, 470 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Good on October 31, 2010 at 4:24 PM

Oh the horror... a purposely placed leaf!

Truth be known, I moved the leaf from the branch just above in my recent post and left it there over night to collect the morning frost. Technically I guess I waited enough time to be natural.

Seriously, I enjoy this image a lot. I might favor a more 4x5 ratio with a little cropped off the left side to off-center the leaf a little more. Well seen, captured and placed!

Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on November 2, 2010 at 12:41 PM

I'm always a fan of disclosure, but completely comfortable with placing an element. It certainly could have been that way, and is a wonderful form of nature art. I like it!

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