Leaves and Things +RP

This is really outstanding, Lon. The details, right down to the frost tipped leaves in the large version are gorgeous. Processing looks spot-on and I like the warm rendering. Frankly, hard to come up with any suggestions. I'm sure this would make a lovely over-sized print. If you have amnesia and did place these elements - very nice job arranging 

Oh Man, this is just the perfect way to frame it;  not too close, not too far, not too nothin'
It took some special seeing to know the frost would show up well
My only complaint is that the large version is not big enough, but neither is my monitor.

I love this, Lon.  It's a perfect little forest ecosystem...diverse trees, fire, seasons...it is almost abstract and yet a wide enough view to be emblematic. I can ger lost in the big version, following the leaves along the curves of the charred wood.  Nice work.

ML

The large image is a visual treat, Lon. Lovely color contrasts. Pretty tough to come up with any improvements :)

This is a very nice image, Lon. The warm leaves on a dark background around the frame provide a very pleasing sense to the viewer. I can't come up with any good suggestions. Would darkening the bark make the leaves 'pop' more? Probably, but you've undoubtedly tried that and decided that this is the amount of pop you wanted. Although it may make us aware of the frost more because it's not very prominent. I'm looking for a crop that could make the image stronger and can't find it. The upper right 2/3rds seem to be the most interesting aspect of the image but no crops work well with it. The texture of the burnt wood is really fascinating.

Real nice, Lon.  I might consider cloning the bit of red on the top, right and left sides and maybe even the needles leading out of the frame along the top? Ah, the old 4x5.

Nice choice including the frost. I really love frost on charred trees which often accentuates the shapes of the wood, so I'm with you on that choice! The brown and black looks great, and my only suggestion would be to crop out the two needles entering the frame in the ulc.

Thanks for the comments and feedback!  I didn't expect this to get as good a reception - or else I would have posted this months ago! ;-)

Great catch on the needles along the top guys!  Shame on me, Mr. Border Patrol!  I decided there was room to crop slightly rather than to clone.  I've also made some tweaks,  including reduced saturation and Darks color/hue and I've attempted to accentuate the frost and darken the char. Not very sophisticated adjustments, just painting with some luminosity layers.

I'm hoping this is an improvement.  Thanks!  Oh, also a slightly larger repost.

How about a crop like this? Better? Worse? or just different?

Thanks Igor.  I think a valid crop. Can't say better or worse. I often clarify my suggestions as "alternative."  Most of our images have many possibilities.  Your crop works for me. ;-)

Did you have an opinion on the repost?  Thanks!

Sure. I think it's an improvement because it's simpler (perhaps too simple) and because it lets the wood be part of the design rather than a background. By that I mean the horizontal line and the knothole. Besides, it appears to be the heart of the image. 

Having said aid that I often find the heart of the matter in all my subjects and zone in on it during a composition. As an afterthought I will take and image that includes more of the 'environment'. And at home I recognize that the wider in scope image is better. This has occurred so frequently now I make it a practice to take that second shot for later consideration. The above 2 images are like that. Does the additional matter improve the image? I'm not sure. I wouldn't have done it that way and that's why I posted how I would have handled it. It's just a different approach, is all.

BTW, if it's unethical to use images rather than words when making suggestions, please let me know and I will cease. People did it with my images and I didn't find it helpful. Primarily because they post what's already been considered. But you can be much more specific with a crop through an image than with words.  

The darker char and lighter frost on the repost work for me, Lon.  In the large version, that doesn't feel necessary.  I like Igor's crop too, although I would be inclined to either go further (almost square) or keep the original crop.  For me, the cut off leaves are a distraction (more so than cut off needles).
ML

Of the different selections, I prefer your repost Lon. This is an eye-catching combination of elements. Busy, but in a good way.

Frankly, Lon, I like the original post with Harley's suggestions.  The original colors of the leaves and needles is the draw for me, the rich "fall" colors against the stark burnt log, excellent work.

Haha, Border Patrol, I might just steal that term from you, Lon! The difference is small, but your processing in the repo is better with the slightly stronger contrast. Igor's crop is nice too, but feels a bit too tight for me.

I'm with Rene on this one, meaning the first repost seems to work best for me for the same reasons.  A lot to explore here.  Wonderful rich color and texture.  A winner.

While I like your repost, Lon. I prefer the original image's crop, color and tonality. The composition is really nice when coupled with Harley's suggestion for 'border patrol'.

One thing I want to mention for the benefit of everyone is that it is considered poor form to copy and repost an image without permission from the OP. Here's an excerpt from the NPN Posting Guidelines.

If you wish to rework a fellow member's photo, here is the procedure we suggest;

1. Contact the member who posted the photo and ask them to email the photo to you. This will absolutely prove that the member voluntarily sent the photo to you, and that it was not copied without their permission.
2. After you have reworked the photo, email it back to member who posted it with detailed notes on what you did to adjust the photo. They will then have the right to determine if they want the modified photo appearing as a repost.

 --P

Lon,
I prefer the original processing/crop with the border cloning.

I really like the repost, Lon.  Quite a collection of tones, textures, and color.  I don't think the crop works nearly as well for me.  The detail provided by the 4x5 is astounding.

This is another vote for the original post with Harley's clone suggestions, Lon. As you mentioned this is simple and straight forward, but there are so many wonderful details and textures to enjoy and savor in the large version. Outstanding image.

Ed