Backs against the Wall

What a great eye and execution on this Lon. I love it so much. The placement of the three trees against the lichen covered rock wall is excellent. Stellar work man!!

I agree about the light, it does make a stronger image. Without it, this might not hold up to the bulk of your other work. I say that because it isn't a fall, winter scene with the added interest of the season. The dappled light makes this a keeper, for sure!

Chris

This one feels like early morning in spring, with the sunshine filtering through the trees. Nice take on a tough place to bring away a good image.

The dappled light on the granite mixed with the highlights on some of the leaves gives this a soft impressionistic texture. I think that is the part I really like. This could look very cool printed on thick cotton paper.

A great study of light, form, and texture. A very artistic image, Lon.

Yes, the soft dabbled light is beautiful in this image, Lon. There is a lovely painted feel to the image that is very appealing. I also like the way the warm light has highlighted the lighter leaves against the darker, mossier green on the granite. The placement of the trees in the frame seems well balanced. Very nice indeed!

Just beautiful Lon, very creative as usual. You seem to bring out natures beauty in all of your tree images. I know it come from your heart,they seem to speak to you. Excellent work!

Beautiful light, composition and especially texture.

standard fare of great chefs is always something to savour. i love the dappled light here and the comp works for me.

I don't recall any of your photos using such dappled lighting. The interplay of light and soft shadows gives this an interesting an appealing pseudo-layering effect.

The dappled light along with the textures in the granite and trees make this work for me, Lon. Beautiful work!

Ed

as i said before & i will say it now again , you are the master of this kind of works. no more comment

all the best man

The trees look great aginst the super background Lon, you have a great eye for shots like this. Inspirational.

Gary.

Lon,

The speckling in the granite ( feldspar phenocrysts actually ) accents and emphasizes the light and the texture in the trunks of the oaks. You have a way of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Well seen and another keeper for the stringer.

Paul

This is wonderful Lon. The light worked really nice here and I enjoy the feel you ended up with. I totally agree with Mike about this having an impressionistic texture. Beautiful!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

I wish I was viewing this at home on a calibrated monitor and in a darker room, but here goes. The dappled light makes this work very nicely; reminds me of the new camo pattern the armed forces is using. I'm having a hard time figuring out why I like this so much, but it really does impress me. I think it comes down to the texture of the rock and the light because, honestly, the three trees aren't doing a lot for me by themselves. Whatever the reasons, I like it a lot.

Wonderful Lon, It is wonderful. Great composition. I feel like looking at this image trough a glass not reflection but I can't say what it is. I just love it. With lots of detail it is simple.

I agree, the light and the shadow play are very important here. The composition is balanced and elegantly made as such, but the light definitely adds "composition". Therefore I think this is a very strong image of yours, standing out from similar efforts, simply because its so obvious here how the light enhances the scene and adds a particular quality.

Another Overacker special. Lon, you really have a way of turning seemingly ordinary scenes into extraordinary images. Bravo!

Very painterly Lon. It is kind of hard to tell what you are looking at.You did a great job at executing a composition while keeping the edges of the frame clean of extra branches, which is hard to do. Maybe it is just the compression, but do you feel like it could be a little over sharpened for the web?

Michael

Thanks so much for the comments folks - mucho appreciated.

Michael G.: Excellent observations. It might just be over-sharpened for the web. I know I struggle like many trying to get an image to look sharp with good detail without going too far. The over-sharpening can really show up in detailed tree bark and in the lichens/rock too. Good eye. Also, you mention the frame edges being clear of branches and leaves. And since you noticed that as well, I must come clean with FULL disclosure. I'm always aware of things along the edges (I call it border patrol.) I will often tie a branch back with a string, bungie or even my belt if needed. In this case though, I used my convenient and willing Sherpa, Mr.Harley Goldman to hold back a small branch on the right. He has proven to be a great resource.

Also in full disclosure, Stuart had begun to ask a question, but edited it out of his final comment, asking if any Orton effect was applied here. Another keen observation. Yes, a very slight, say less than 10% opacity glow effect was used. Using this at very low opacities works more like contrast enhancement than it does any glow effect which is more obvious when used at it's full effect. So I treat it more like I would a hue/sat adj, a curves adj, USM tweak or any other tool we have in the bag.

Thanks again for the comments!

Lon

Lon, I think the dappled light does add drama, but it also makes it more visually busy. It's a dynamic balance.

The subtle shadows add a little bit of magic to the scene Lon.

The shadows working against the mottled granite and lichen look great, as doe the fresh green againt the slate-grey granite. I wonder how the scene would look a little later when the leaves are grown larger.

Something so apparently simple in appearance, crafted so exquisitely by a master's hand. Very textural, special Lon. :)

Lon, I know this slab well. Great light and color. Best Regards.