Winter Tree #9

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 23, 2013585 views19 comments

A snow storm - blizzard in rural Wisconsin.
A lone tree standing it's ground through the Winter storm.
Dane County, Wisconsin. #9 of 11

It seems simple, but nailing the exposure for the delicate tones is tricky. You want to hold enough dot so it can print exceptionally well without "holes" in the field of ink; yet, not too full in density so the whites appear as a flat gray.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on November 23, 2013 at 10:14 AM

Very nice in it's simplicity Matt. Looks just great in the large version with the darker back round separating it out better. Great exposure control to keep the fine details in the back round. Great job.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on November 23, 2013 at 10:15 AM

Someone once told me if you go for the simple you had better nail it. This looks fantastic both in composition and processing. I like that there is still a bit of detail in the trunk and the ridge fading into the bg adds that layer of depth to make the main tree stand out.

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

Comment posted by Ronald Murphy on November 23, 2013 at 10:29 AM

I already liked the smaller, but the larger photo is even better. The tree stands out nicely from the background.

Registered on March 13, 2012, 279 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Kane Engelbert on November 23, 2013 at 10:55 AM

Lovely winter photo Matt. Simplicity at its best. I think this image would stand out a little better without the white background, maybe a mid toned, to slightly darker gray? Just a thought, and certainly not a big deal whatsoever.

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

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on November 23, 2013 at 11:05 AM

Kane, I agree. Edit made, thanks! This version is the final print version (with watermarks). If I did a web specific version I really should take the levels highlight input value down 10 or so to really pop the whites.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on November 23, 2013 at 11:08 AM

Hi matt

Simply beautiful!!! The large version is a must see

The fine deail and sublime color tones are something special

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 23, 2013 at 11:31 AM

Less is always more, and this proves it, Matt. Highly effective image. I would like for you to explore distilling a scene like this even more. To just the snow and the trees in the background. With your deft touch at pp, no doubt you could make even that resonate.

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

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on November 23, 2013 at 2:34 PM

Another super simple shot with dead centre tree and it works great in its high key presentation.

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on November 23, 2013 at 3:21 PM

a strong visual statement with the delicate, high key look and stark simplicity. I am most impressed.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Todd Bloomquist on November 23, 2013 at 6:12 PM

I agree with the others, Matt. This is wonderful. You did a great job with the exposure so we get the subtleties of the snow and the tree trunk. Very impressive and well done.

Todd

Registered on January 21, 2012, 10 Posts, 51 Comments

Comment posted by Zhoen on November 24, 2013 at 12:54 AM

Loving this one Matt, enjoying the comp, tree and the peaceful winter mood.

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

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on November 24, 2013 at 1:42 AM

Funny...this popped up and i said anderson...then i scrolled down. Bingo. Nice capture sir.

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on November 24, 2013 at 5:33 AM

Lovely softness and simplicity. Excellent capture and b&w conversion.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Miro Susta on November 24, 2013 at 8:46 AM

Monochrome captures the mood of this scene much more than color could. You have created a really strong composition with great light, excellently framed in portrait format. Superb high key effect. Well done Matt.

Registered on August 18, 2006, 719 Posts, 3736 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on November 24, 2013 at 11:38 AM

Simple and elegant. A lovely portrait of a winter tree.

Very nicely done, Mat.

--P

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on November 25, 2013 at 6:29 AM

you hit those tones spot on! seems that winter is arriving.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on November 25, 2013 at 12:19 PM

Pure art Matt! Gorgeous.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 25, 2013 at 7:01 PM

Very nice Matt! I always enjoy these kind of winter scenes, and you do them so well.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 26, 2013 at 9:37 PM

This is really beautfiul. Matt--glad i clicked cause the thumb doesn't do it justice.

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