Rootscape

I like this very much. What's different is that many would underexpose this a bit more and add contrast. But I like this take on it. It's light and cheerful. There's also a wonderful 4X5 image at the bottom of this image, with the 5 being horizontal. 

This is real nice, Michael. I like the pattern formed by the roots leading up to the tree and the detail of the pine needles and leaves is great. Very well done. 

Like the idea of what youre going for here.  Well seen.  Might vig a bit to keep focus inward but a lovely scene.

aF

I like this one, Michael.  I would think about cropping the trunk and horizontal root.  It brings the more abstract part of this image to life for me.  Love the colors sprinkled throughout.

Thanks to all for the comments. Ian, no more than 5 or 6 leaves and one cone were placed in this scene. At least one leaf in ULC to cover a bare spot, one on the left root, to note two. Original shot before my massive human interference included here.

Ian, incongruous to the woodland makeup??? Photo of path 20 yards away included here.

Michael,

I'm really liking the comp and setup as presented.  You've included enough of the trunk to add to the story of the scene and tells the viewer you intended for the tree trunk to be a part; yet the roots, needle and leaf debris all work together as the main theme for a lovely, intimate scene.

The only constructive criticism I have, and don't think it's been mentioned, is that to me and my monitory, this looks a little on the bright side and lacking some contrast.  I think dropping the levels somewhat would address the contrast, but it just looks slightly light to me.  Curious how others see this. I've been known to be wrong.

Lon

Thanks, Lon. Igor mentioned it being a little light also, so it's probably my monitor and not yours. I've never bothered to calibrate it.

Michael, this is a really great intimate fall scene. I love the flow of the roots up to that trunk, and the smattering of colorful leaves, whether placed or naturally fallen. I agree that the image is overall too light. A little luminosity work will take this up a notch for me.

This is a terrific mix of shapes and colors, Michael.  I do think it could stand a bump in contrast across the center 2/3rd.  While it  looks to clean to be natural, it does looks great with the "fallen" bits scattered very well throughout the frame.

This was a great find, Mike. The diagonals with the tree roots add a nice visual tension to this woodland scene and the pine needles and leaves make for some wonderful details in the large version. This looks similar to my take. Beautifully done IMO.

Ed

Wonderful detail, Michael. The radiating roots work wonderfully to pull my eye through the frame. I could see cropping the trunk off the top to place more emphasis on the roots.

Great eye to see this, Michael!  The lines from the roots keep my eyes moving in the scene and the scattering of leaves and pine cones hold my interest.  This tree seems almost Tolkein-esque. 

Wonderful shapes and flow.  Lots of interest throughout

Great find - just returned from Acadia on 10/21 and still not peak in lots of places there.  When were you there?  I'm with Dave, crop the trunk portion to make even more abstract and mysterious.  Fine eye for this.  I probalby stumbled over these roots!

Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. Harry, we were there from the 10th to 15th. My brother Ed and I noted these roots when we were there in the summer, but they needed the added interest of the autumn conditions to make a worthy photographic subject.

Fantastic image Michael.  I love the flow of the roots.  Excellent eye to capture this so effectively.  On my monitor (calibrated) the saturation looks just a wee bit high, but I know that's subjective.

Very compelling and creative image, Michael !