Blue Ridge Maple

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 19, 2011537 views35 comments

Along the Parkway in October, ran across this scene in the afternoon and took note of it. When I arrived the next morning, I was lucky enough to have the Parkway to myself for most of an hour with this wonderful fog.

I love it when I find a spot like this that nobody else notices. You're not going to get great shots at the overlooks, at least most of the ones I've seen from there don't do it for me. But get one tree like this, and it makes the whole trip worthwhile.

Toyo 45CF, Schneider 180mm, 16 seconds at f-64, Velvia 50

Comments

35 comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on April 19, 2011 at 7:44 PM

Just wonderful, Michael. Nice to see some reds mixed in right about now. An inviting composition and nice framing working here. Web compression (of course) wreaking some havoc on the details here but I can imagine.

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

Comment posted by Luis Argerich on April 19, 2011 at 7:45 PM

This is a concept I love.
The atmosphere in the background and the reds really catch my eye and I can stare at this for a long time.

Great shot Michael!

Registered on December 22, 2009, 91 Posts, 1349 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on April 19, 2011 at 7:49 PM

Wonderful. I really enjoy this, Michael. These kind of images are a favorite of mine, and this one is really nice! Great comp, and find.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on April 19, 2011 at 8:54 PM

Michael - This is a beauty! Great intimate shot. I might crop the far right tree off, as it is a bit brighter that the others and takes my eye there instead of more centrally. The diffused lighting really works.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 19, 2011 at 9:02 PM

Lovely! The framing with the lichen covered trunks works very well in contrast to the red leaves. The larger view really sings. I agree with you completely about the overlooks, they provide some nice views, but are rarely photogenic.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on April 19, 2011 at 9:31 PM

This is a stunner, Michael.

- Dan.

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

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on April 19, 2011 at 10:14 PM

I like the contrasting color of the fall foliage. The fog tends to give this a sense of mystery. The diagonal tree in the right hand third of the image seems to interrupt the rhythm of the composition a little (since the pattern of the other trees creates vertical lines) but not detrimentally so. Great work overall!!

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on April 19, 2011 at 10:32 PM

Gorgeous, Michael. The fog adds so much.

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

Comment posted by Matthew Goldsmith on April 19, 2011 at 10:33 PM

Beautiful image Michael. I love the strong verticals of the trees complemented by the red maples.

Registered on June 29, 2010, 37 Posts, 286 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on April 19, 2011 at 10:49 PM

Beautiful subtle work and not oversharpened Michael.

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on April 19, 2011 at 11:03 PM

Just wonderful! I was there once a few years back in october. It was soooo foggy I couldn't see much of anything. I love the maple, and the fog, and the beautiful colors of the bark and the lichens. I think the trees on the right might be just a tiny bit too in your face, but not a big deal for me.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on April 19, 2011 at 11:25 PM

This is beautiful, Michael. There's a sense of translucency here as I look past the main objects into the background.

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

Comment posted by Koveh Tavakkol on April 20, 2011 at 12:59 AM

Colors look great here Michael. I know what you mean about those secluded places.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 41 Posts, 608 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on April 20, 2011 at 1:36 AM

Wow, that's sharp for a 16 second exposure. Must have been dead calm. Love the framing of the red maple, and the lichen covered trees are great!

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on April 20, 2011 at 1:52 AM

i like this very much michael - the gloden leaves seems to hover in space and the diagonal trunk adds tension and interest. good work.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on April 20, 2011 at 3:37 AM

Michael, your framing of the red leaves is outstanding, in the foreground by the trunks as well as in the depth by the delicate green and grey shades. It is really a pleasure and keeps my attention for a long time.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on April 20, 2011 at 5:01 AM

Incredibly beautiful! This keeps me going deeper and deeper into the forest looking for more subtle detail.

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

Comment posted by Joseph Balcken on April 20, 2011 at 8:34 AM

Exquisite, Michael. Definitely my kind of scene. This would make a beautiful print, I'm sure.

Registered on November 29, 2009, 48 Posts, 249 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on April 20, 2011 at 8:52 AM

Beautiful, peaceful scene Michael. Love the colors, soft light, and your comp. Great capture.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on April 20, 2011 at 9:00 AM

This is beautiful - I make a large print is REALLY nice. This has such a nice feel to it.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on April 20, 2011 at 9:48 AM

Great shot, Michael. Beautiful atmosphere you have here. All elements match nicely together, pastel colors and fog in the background create mystere mood. Excellent!

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

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on April 20, 2011 at 4:12 PM

I like the colors and softness, owing to the fog. The various colors, patterns, and
textures in the trees really add to this image.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Greer on April 20, 2011 at 4:46 PM

I think that you posted this one or another version of it soon after you shot this, maybe in digital. As last time, I love it!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 404 Posts, 1977 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Hardeman on April 20, 2011 at 4:49 PM

Thanks, everyone.

You're right, Jerry, this is a re-post. It's oldies month for me. :)

Registered on November 26, 2005, 150 Posts, 233 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on April 20, 2011 at 7:44 PM

I love the centered reds against the dark trunks. Beautiful work.

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

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on April 20, 2011 at 9:06 PM

Simply fantastic!! One of the best images I've seen on NPN this year! I love intimate landscapes like this. The details and atmosphere are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Crabbe on April 20, 2011 at 10:45 PM

Wow oh Wow, Mr. Hardeman; I'm gonna put this one right up there as one of your best, and one of my favorites of yours.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 182 Posts, 1840 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on April 20, 2011 at 11:05 PM

Wow Michael, this is outstanding. The bright reds look amazing and I really liked how you used the tree trunks to frame the scene.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Hardeman on April 21, 2011 at 12:08 AM

Hey, Thanks, Gary.

Lara is in Manchuria and says "hi". :)

Registered on November 26, 2005, 150 Posts, 233 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on April 21, 2011 at 12:52 AM

Incredible work Michale. The fog adds a lot of depth to the scene. This is fantastic.

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on April 21, 2011 at 2:26 AM

I love this, Michael. The colors, atmosphere and comp are all wonderful. This would be stunning to see in person as a large print.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Vlad Sadovsky on April 21, 2011 at 3:04 AM

Nice, well framed composition. Foggy conditions working really well with foreground reds, well noticed scene.

Registered on November 12, 2010, 48 Posts, 358 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on April 21, 2011 at 11:15 AM

Very nice indeed Michael, the foliage really pops in this and I'm loving all the lichen detail too.

Gary.