Perseverance

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 17, 2011910 views28 comments

This cracked mud and sand was found earlier this month at the base of the bluffs that run along Kalaloch Beach on the Olympic Coast of Washington. The mud had this 'cool' blue tint that contrasted nicely with the sand, as well as the plant, which turns out to be the fairly common silverweed (Potentilla anserina) according to my wife. I loved the textures and how this plant seemed to be thriving in what appeared to me to be a fairly harsh environment.
4x5, 150mm, no filter, f32.5, 1/8sec, Provia 100F. M1 scan, and the always invaluable TK masks.

Large image provided.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions which are always appreciated. And thank you very much for all the nice comments on the last post.

Comments

28 comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on August 17, 2011 at 1:21 AM

Very beautiful intimite portrait Vance. Love the color contrast here.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on August 17, 2011 at 2:13 AM

Vance,

This is phenomenal!! I swear viewing the thumbnail I knew it was a tree canopy with blue sky behind it and some bright leaves. Then I thought, hmmm, no, it's a reflection of the tree and those are green lily pads... no, wait, what the heck is this. I still look at this and see the spreading branches of a tree. I actually have to re-focus to see this as mud cracks. And just having to go through all that tells me how amazing I think this is and how mesmerizing this is.

I think perhaps the best image I've seen from you since, well, since I can remember; and I know that's saying a lot!

I'll stop now.

Lon

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 17, 2011 at 2:28 AM

Excellent vision here - nice contrasts, fine detail, and very unique image.

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Duff on August 17, 2011 at 6:14 AM

A big +1 to Lon's comment! A tree canopy is what I saw as well.

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

Comment posted by dean hebert on August 17, 2011 at 12:00 PM

A tree canopy? Really?

I love the sense of tenacity the plant displays. Nice textures.

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on August 17, 2011 at 12:01 PM

This is wonderful Work Vance. I too thought it was tree branches and sky from the thumbnail. Amazing detail in the larger view but I especially love those blue tones.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on August 17, 2011 at 12:47 PM

Funny, I had the same thoughts as Lon thinking this was a tree canopy while viewing the thumbnail, but was pleasantly surprised upon opening the image. Gorgeous image, and well thought out composition. Beautiful work.

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

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on August 17, 2011 at 1:37 PM

A very good find, Vance. I like the colors, tones, textures, and lines. Well composed
with the positioning of the plant. It's also very sharp.

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

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on August 17, 2011 at 3:14 PM

This one speaks very well about the power of life, Vance! So evocative and powerful!

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by David Cobb on August 17, 2011 at 3:18 PM

Lovely texture, pop, and color here Vance - love it!

Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on August 17, 2011 at 4:08 PM

Beautiful....great find and nicely executed. I really like how a few of the leaves are tucked away in the crevices. I'm not sure I agree with Lon about this being perhaps your best but it's certainly up there.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on August 17, 2011 at 5:55 PM

Very nicely done Vance and I like the blue/green combination. When I first looked at the thumbnail I saw a plant growing out of mud cracks and didn't notice the "tree" until I read some of the comments (but I still see mostly mud cracks). Cool image.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on August 17, 2011 at 6:16 PM

Real sweet, Vance! Love the blues and greens, with the red highlights. Great patterns, too.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 17, 2011 at 6:45 PM

Fantastic image Vance with a perfectly thought out composition. Great patterns, amazing detail (as usuall) and wonderful color. Really enjoy this one!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 17, 2011 at 7:23 PM

Huh, maybe im jaded from seeing too many mud crack shots on NPN, but for whatever reason I wouldn't say this blows me away. I like it though--the color contrasts are particularly nice. Id crop a bit off the bottom to balance.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 17, 2011 at 10:08 PM

I really like the blue, cracked mud. It works here, especially as a contrast to the colors in the plant. The unusual colors do add to the graphic quality of the image.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Harding on August 17, 2011 at 10:50 PM

Beautiful photo Vance. But I do agree with Stan that your image should be cropped at the bottom. Also a little from the left if needed. To my eye this will give your fine image more balance and impact.

Registered on January 19, 2011, 33 Posts, 408 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on August 18, 2011 at 12:13 AM

Really appreciate all the great comments. I'm sort of a nut for textures and graphic designs in nature and finding this a few weeks ago was a pleasant surprise. Thanks again.

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

Comment posted by Ben Horne on August 18, 2011 at 12:51 AM

Beautiful composition. The red+green of the plant stands out very nicely from the blueish background. I agree with Lon that the background looks almost like a tree. In fact, if I throw my eyes out of focus while looking at this, it looks 100% like a tree. When I allow them to come into focus, I can still see it as a tree -- even with all the detail. This will certainly make for a stunning print.

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on August 18, 2011 at 1:08 AM

Fantastic! The comp is a classic reminiscent of Guy Tal, and the color is outstanding. Seriously, the color almost looks fake it's so striking with the vivid red, blue and green. Very nice work.

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Phillip Noll on August 18, 2011 at 9:09 PM

Awesome! Wonderful colors and composition. I'm surprised to see mudcracks on the Olympic peninsula! I'm used to seeing it here in New Mexico!

Great shot!

Registered on November 17, 2003, 207 Posts, 1083 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 22, 2011 at 9:28 PM

A really beautiful color pallete in this, Vance. I also love the contrast in textures and lines.

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

Comment posted by Philip Schwarz on August 23, 2011 at 2:11 PM

Nicely done. Nice colors and texture in this photo.

Registered on November 29, 2006, 236 Posts, 1210 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on August 23, 2011 at 11:37 PM

Congrats Vance

What a fantastic find and you extracted each detail perfectly. I love the color combination and the thin red roots play such an important role in the dynamics of the image. Well seen. Top notch!

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 23, 2011 at 11:38 PM

Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on August 24, 2011 at 1:36 AM

Exquisisite. Congratulations on a really fine image, Vance!

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on August 24, 2011 at 8:33 AM

What a beautiful nature dedign, Vance. Very well deserved.
Take care.

Registered on February 3, 2007, 827 Posts, 5052 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 24, 2011 at 10:27 AM

Congratulations on the EP. Well deserved, Vance! Now, let's see some books!

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