Photo of the Month 07/13

Gallery: Photo ArtPosted July 23, 20131,503 views29 comments

Howling Wolf

Saw this stump and took a lot of pics of it and didn't know why till I started processing it. And it leaped out at me. Tough time processing this so would appreciate any input. The moon was actually to the left in front of the stump and I edited it in. If that makes this photo art then feel free to move it.

Nikon D7000
Sigma 10-20 @ 10mm
2 sec. @F22
ISO 100
2nd image for moon.
C&C greatly appreciated as this is new style of image for me.

Comments

29 comments

Comment posted by Johan Eickmeyer on July 23, 2013 at 1:40 AM

What an incredible image, Bill. I've never seen anything quite like this. Even without the moon, it would still be very striking and a little more naturally believable since the light source is coming from the opposite direction of the Sun hitting the moon.

The shape of the stump and colors of the grass really make it stand out.

Thanks for sharing!

Registered on March 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 164 Comments

Comment posted by Zhoen on July 23, 2013 at 3:18 AM

This is so nice and unique. I was admiring your larger photo and thinking this looks like a howling wolf against the moon, then I saw your title… Great detail in the moon. Maybe some CA/halo on the top of the ‘wolf’ head/nose? Can’t tell for sure. Great job seeing and capturing!

Registered on May 16, 2013, 25 Posts, 188 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on July 23, 2013 at 3:20 AM

SUPER

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on July 23, 2013 at 5:14 AM

That is very cool it does look a trifle fake with the moon so large and detailed but then again since the whole thing is surreal why not. The reason I commented though is because I really think the strength of the whole image lies in the top 5/8 I would crop off the base just above the left hand snag. The quality looks cleaner above the snag too. Great shot though.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Hilton on July 23, 2013 at 7:36 AM

Bill,
I like this a lot...
No suggestions, you nailed a striking image.

Registered on September 19, 2011, 68 Posts, 668 Comments

Comment posted by Ben Horne on July 23, 2013 at 10:44 AM

I think this shot has enough strength to it without the fake moon. The light is very interesting, and the old snag does standout from the background. I suppose the issue I have with the moon is that it doesn't appear to be the proper phase given the conditions. The light from the scene is coming from the left, but the light on the moon is coming from the right. That makes it really stand out as being fake.

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

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on July 23, 2013 at 11:03 AM

Very neat image Bill! I think I would even prefer it without the moon, because that puts all the emphasize on the amazing shape of the tree.

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on July 23, 2013 at 12:32 PM

This is so cool looking, Bill. It is amazing the shapes that mother nature can create for us if we take the time to see. This works with or without the moon IMO. This is so unique that I would try to catch the moon with the left side illuminated.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on July 23, 2013 at 1:21 PM

Beautiful Bill. I think I would actually like it better without the moon since its inclusion seems to force two main focal points into the image. The FG is so stimulating in and of itself that nothing else is really needed IMO. Even with the moon, this is still very nice, but without I think it would even be better. Just my opinion, of course.

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on July 23, 2013 at 1:57 PM

Bill, the textures, trunk formation, colors, detail and the moon make this one come together very nicely. I'm sure a debate could be had from the purist POV on the angle of light source, but in the end those things only come about from us photogs. The general public will love it no matter what the "real" technical equation is. I like it as is and don't feel it's a photo art issue.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Glenn Tunaley on July 23, 2013 at 3:38 PM

Very cool image Bill. I like it as is but I also think it would still be really good without the moon

Registered on March 1, 2013, 19 Posts, 93 Comments

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on July 23, 2013 at 3:51 PM

Amazing image, Bill. POV, color, light and impact all outstanding. Well done

Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by Ted Gore on July 23, 2013 at 6:18 PM

I like this. The lighting on the trunk looks really nice. Did you light paint?

I'm ok with the moon, but I would scale it down to about half it's size. I don't know why the inclusion of it would turn this into photo art.

Registered on April 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 149 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on July 23, 2013 at 9:36 PM

That's just a great piece of art, composite or not. The pp looks perfect.

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

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on July 24, 2013 at 2:15 AM

Interesting form in the snag. Not sure how I feel about the moon.I like it but I know it would not be at that size.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on July 24, 2013 at 8:56 AM

Great shot, works for me. The moon is way too big imo, but I like it there. If this were mine, I'd reduce the size of the moon considerably - perhaps half the size.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 26, 2013 at 10:04 AM

Bill, This is really a wonderful image to look at. I like what you have done here and especially love the mood. Nice work on your processing too. I agree the moon could be a little smaller but I really do enjoy looking at this!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Abdullaziz Bin Ali on July 27, 2013 at 10:37 AM

Well DONE

Registered on May 31, 2009, 112 Posts, 1590 Comments

Comment posted by Kane Engelbert on July 27, 2013 at 11:04 AM

Fantastic comp, I'm all for including the moon wherever you feel it fits in best. Very moody image that reminds me of Haloween/October and November. Nice work.

Registered on June 14, 2009, 63 Posts, 291 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on July 28, 2013 at 1:01 PM

While I think this is a terrific shot the moon is so large that it seems a sort of fantasy shot which is why I'll be moving it to photo art.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Ward on July 30, 2013 at 9:01 PM

Bill,.. welcome over to PhotoArt. love the textures in this. I might like to see the moon flipped horizontally and rotated a bit CW. This would line up the perceived light source on the foreground with the light falling on the moon. Love the lines in this.

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

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on July 31, 2013 at 7:55 PM

Awesome in all respects, Bill. Very nice!

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on August 1, 2013 at 3:33 PM

Congrats on the WP for this category, Bill........wonderful scene overall....

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on August 4, 2013 at 6:52 AM

Looks like a scary Marmaduke to me! I love this! Congrats on the pick. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on August 4, 2013 at 6:25 PM

Image as it is, is in my view, wonderful art and if not perfect reality I don't care. All the talk about the angle of the sun on the surface subjects and that of the angle on the moon is an extreme stretch. The Earth is rotating and the moon will have the same angle 12 hours hence while it is dark on the subjects

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 6, 2013 at 8:24 AM

Congrats Bill, love this!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on August 7, 2013 at 10:18 AM

Wonderful image and a great cover photo here this month, Bill. Congratulations.......

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 7, 2013 at 1:59 PM

Marvelous find - love the lines and textures. Excellent processing to make this truly exceptional -
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on August 8, 2013 at 11:36 PM

Excellent in one word. TFS.

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments