Maple, Hoh Forest/repost

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 14, 2011275 views12 comments

Maple tree found in the Hoh Rainforest of Olympic NP, Washington, in April of this year. Was captivated by the design of the leafless, moss draped branches against the forest background. Would appreciate your thoughts and comments on this image.
4x5, 360mm, Provia 100F, warm polarizer. Flatbed scan, Tony Kuyper's invaluable masks.

Large size image provided.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions, comments, critiques.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on July 14, 2011 at 6:01 PM

This works very well for me. It's interesting and captures the "feel" of the Hoh . . . though I have to confess that I have only seen it in pictures. This shot compares quite favorably with others that stand out in my recollection and effectively conveys the same lush and somewhat mysterious beauty that I have come to associate with this place.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on July 14, 2011 at 6:37 PM

Exquisite image Vance. The detail is fantastic, especially in the shadows, and your composition works very well. The only small noticeable thing that could possibly be improved is - your neutral colors - most the notably the greys on the right hand side of the tree bark - they look a little magenta heavy to me. Minor flaw, wonderful image.

Michael

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

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on July 14, 2011 at 7:54 PM

Beautiful Vance. Many of you have brought some amazing photos back from the Hoh this year.

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on July 14, 2011 at 8:02 PM

Another wonderful image from you and from that area. Great light and color and your comp is very well done as always. I would burn the brightest parts of the trees and branches as they are a touch distracting, but nothing can take away from this beautiful scene.

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

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on July 14, 2011 at 9:24 PM

I like how you framed this. The smaller branches are much more apparent in the large version and add to the scene. Nicely done.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on July 14, 2011 at 10:41 PM

Your images make me realize what I was missing when I lived in the Northwest--an eye to see this type of composition. I think this is just wonderful. Truly an outstanding tree and your presentation enhances the light perfectly. My only thought might be to burn the blue trunk in the background on the right a bit darker and maybe even make it a little less blue.

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

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on July 15, 2011 at 12:47 AM

An excellent compositon, Vance! The large version is superb. I feel like I'm
right there. Wonderful colors and tree lines.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on July 15, 2011 at 9:37 AM

Gorgeous light and colr Vance! You really make this place come alive.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 15, 2011 at 11:05 AM

This is wonderful Vance. Excellent work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on July 15, 2011 at 12:28 PM

Vance,

This is really nice. I love the detail and the light, and you handled a complex DOF situation extremely well. You might consider burning down the snag just to right of the moss-hung tree. TK's masks are very useful, indeed!

You'll have to come CA and meet up with Lon, Harley, and I sometime; we'd have a ball!

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on July 15, 2011 at 9:22 PM

Thank you for all the great feedback. Attached is a redo incorporating the suggestions made to correct the color cast in the neutrals as pointed out by Michael, burning of the highlights in some of the branches and the tree trunk to the right of the maple as suggested by Morris, Tony, and Preston. Thank you again.

Preston, it really would be great to get down your way and spend some time in Yosemite with Lon, Harley, and yourself. You guys always seem to have an enjoyable time regardless of the weather. Maybe some day.

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

Comment posted by John Williams on July 16, 2011 at 2:46 PM

Beautiful Vance. It's not an easy task to get a cohesive comp in the Hoh; this one works well.

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