Before the Green

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 9, 20141,946 views19 comments

First, want to thank everyone for your kind words in the NPN discussion forum. Your thoughtful expressions mean so very, very much to me. More than my simple words can ever say. Dang, getting' choked up, again. Onward.

This is an image made in the Matanuska Valley of Alaska a number of years ago, in the early spring prior to the aspens and cottonwoods leafing out. Sort of that transition time between the snow melt and the spring green. Really liked the diagonal of the aspens on the hillside falling down to the cottonwoods in this small valley's bottom. The reds and magentas of the previous years leaves on the bushes in the valley bottom were also quite nice.
4x5, 600mm, Velvia. M1 scan, TK masks and such.

Larger size image is much better.

Always appreciate your thoughts, comments, and ideas. Thanks.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on June 9, 2014 at 11:21 PM

First of all, Vance, I liked to say that it is always a visual treat when you post an image. This shot is no exception. I love the composition, the color palette, and the subtle details throughout. Certainly nothing I could suggest to improve it. It is a stunning example of great photographic artwork.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on June 9, 2014 at 11:24 PM

Superb comp and presentation Vance. I love the mood of this and the image. No suggestions.

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on June 9, 2014 at 11:44 PM

This is a wonderful tree study, especially before they have leafed out. The shapes and line of the weather-beaten trunks and the slender branches are very appealing to me. The color looks great, and I love the reds in the willows. I also like the spotlight on the cottonwood grove.

It's nice to see an image from you, Vance, since I always enjoy your work. I hope all is well with you.

--P

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

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on June 10, 2014 at 3:44 AM

Love scenes like this Vance, really like the detail and subtle colors, and of course, you caught some very nice light. Beautiful scene and beautifully presented.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on June 10, 2014 at 3:52 AM

Loving the tapestry feel to the presentation of the textures and colours here.

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on June 10, 2014 at 5:26 AM

masterful composition, vance, has my eye wandering about but ultimately settling on those golden trees. colour is interesting too. all-in-all, nice one!!

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

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on June 10, 2014 at 8:19 AM

Beautiful lines and colors, Vance and the textures are exquisite. Very well done. Chet

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 10, 2014 at 9:44 AM

Hi Vance, I always enjoy seeing your post. Excellent composition on this and the color, tones and textures are wonderful. I like this a lot and especially enjoy looking at your large version!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on June 10, 2014 at 9:46 AM

I really enjoy the images from most areas of Alaska having been on an engineering crew that traveled the entire state for 2 years. I recall visiting the Matanuska Valley area on my stays in the Anchorage area.

This is a stunning representation of that wonderful area, Vance. Your work with the 4x5 and my favorite film of choice Velvia just enhances this image tremendously. Overall the scan with the M1 and your attention to final post processing adds to the visual pleasure here. Excellent scene.

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 10, 2014 at 11:26 AM

I really like the sense of a drawing that all of the bare trees creates here, Vance. All of the subtle color changes are a great addition. This is lovely!

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on June 10, 2014 at 12:55 PM

Soft and beautiful Vance. Love those patterns.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 10, 2014 at 1:21 PM

Excellent image. I like the stark trees and the warm background. I might consider rotating it a bit CCW? It might just be me being off kilter, since I am the only one to suggest it. Not the first time. A 600mm? Nice one to have in the bag! A telephoto? Which one do you have and what camera are you using it on?

I missed your post in the discussion. My condolences on your loss. That is definitely a tough one.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 10, 2014 at 3:36 PM

This is very nice Vance. It must be seen large to be fully appreciated. I love the color variations and texture in the bottom field, and the light is delicious.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on June 10, 2014 at 8:25 PM

Really nice comp and colors. I like how it's the foreground trees that provide the scale. I at first thought this was a much tighter comp of grass and brush. It definitely draws me in to look closer.

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

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on June 11, 2014 at 12:51 AM

Aye, I like this one Vance. Dead trees are great as long as you can resolve the tiny micro detail and I am sure doing so on a 5x4 sheet of film is not an issue though the web image does look a tiny bit scrunchy at the necessary compression shown (better large of course) I love the red brush but I have to admit the foreground dead trees look a little bit too gold on my screen.

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

Comment posted by Bill Reid on June 11, 2014 at 11:05 AM

Wonderful colors, textures and detail in the large version Vance. Another of your wonderful tapestry like images. Excellent.

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

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on June 11, 2014 at 1:30 PM

Love all of the fine detail. Those FG trees really pull me in. Nicely seen.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 12, 2014 at 7:20 PM

The fine detail and wonderfully, low key colors makes this work for me. I am sure this must look splendid printed large.

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 13, 2014 at 3:05 PM

Hey, thanks everyone for the great comments. Always appreciate every word.
Preston, thanks for your concern. Trying to fit a little photography into everything else (like most folks).
Harley, the 600mm is the Nikkor 600mm ED, a telephoto design that requires 19inches of bellows draw rather than 23inches. I've been using a monorail 4x5, a well used Sinar C for the last 30 years. Some folks in Alaska thought I was crazy hauling it around like I did, but I like it.
Thanks again, everyone.

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