Mighty Oak & Re-Post

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 19, 20184,889 views13 comments

This nearby oak has a stately appearance when view at just the right angle and separated from a background of trees. I had to shoot from below to isolate the beautiful form. I realized after checking out the tree that sunrise would be almost behind it, so all the better. I tried a shot yesterday after several inches of fresh snow dropped, but no decent light, much like the foggy birch I posted earlier. This was from this AM at sunrise after a snow squall just past by. True sunrise colors never happened, but shortly afterward some really nice cloud color and formations appeared. I have some horizontals that I haven't processed yet, but I liked the FG snow so I got to this one first.

D810, 24-120mm

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on January 19, 2018 at 6:30 PM

I like the tree, the sky and the color. I think my own preference would be to crop some to the bottom off to make the tree the center of the image even more.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on January 19, 2018 at 10:02 PM

I really like this, how the light is coming through the trees and giving the branches some color. I could also see cropping some of the top blue sky, and maybe some from the bottom as well to emphasize the tree even more.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on January 20, 2018 at 12:53 PM

Beautiful tree! My first thought was the same as Richard, crop a bit off the bottom. I like the sky as is. Excellent take on your local tree.

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on January 20, 2018 at 1:18 PM

I like the blue and the texture in the snow. I do think the snow adds a nice anchor, and if I were suggest a crop it would be from the top. I love the tree, and the snow on the branches. The light is superb.
--P

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on January 20, 2018 at 2:31 PM

Another fine stately winter oak view. I like both the shape of the tree and the sky, Harry. The rippled snow fits very well also. I wonder about cropping to 4x5 for maybe even square to focus more on the tree.

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

Comment posted by Stephen Stanton on January 20, 2018 at 3:11 PM

Well executed, Harry, I like the snow texture, it is a nice contrast to the clouds...maybe a little too blue though.

Registered on March 1, 2015, 54 Posts, 453 Comments

Comment posted by Ed McGuirk on January 20, 2018 at 4:47 PM

Harry, what gorgeous clouds you have here, maybe you didn't get the sunrise color you were hoping for but these clouds are spectacular in their own right. What I really like with this image are the interplay of the various repeating shapes/textures in this scene. The texture in the snow is horizontal, and the clouds are diagonal, that contrast works very well. I'm in the camp of cropping a little off the bottom, it will make the tree appear larger in the frame. I hope you have shot this marvelous tree in some other seasons and weather conditions, it sure is a beauty.

Registered on November 29, 2017, 19 Posts, 260 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on January 20, 2018 at 5:17 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I've made a 4 x 5 crop to minimize the sky and snow, keeping more sky than snow. Also toned down the sat. fo blues and cyan in snow area. The reason that there was more sky and snow was to allow for breathing room on the sides. Had I zoomed in more at capture, sides would have been tighter and less flexibility wit the final image / use. Interesting to see how others view an image, so thanks!

Ed - I had shot the tree the day before during snow and fog, but never previously. Will try in other seasons, not sure what the FG is at other times of year. I think there is a wet field under the snow and ice.

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on January 20, 2018 at 5:41 PM

Harry, thanks for taking time to tweak this. The re-post nails, in my opinion. Your crop choice gives the tree the prominence it deserves, but maintains the mood of the day with the snow and that gorgeous sky. Nicely done!
-P

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on January 20, 2018 at 6:31 PM

Nice work on the repost. Works for me. BTW, my B&W dune pano was one frame.

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

Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on January 21, 2018 at 1:51 PM

Nicely done. This is indeed a majestic tree - worth coming back and catching under different conditions. The snow on the branches really enhances the image IMO. Repost looks great.

Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 21, 2018 at 3:05 PM

Harry,

What a great and majestic oak! The setting you've captured this in is beautiful and really showcases this grand tree.

I really think the repost is an even stronger presentation. Even though the snow has been cropped a bit, this image still has an excellent sense of depth and the field of snow is actually working as a lead-in.

Great sky and clouds too. Beautifully captured, processed and presented.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 24, 2018 at 11:27 AM

This is a tough call for me. I love the more expansive FG in the original but have to admit the greater emphasis on the tree looks great in the repost. I keep going back and forth, trying to imagine which I would like best at a larger size, say at least a 24x36 or equivalent. Either way, it's a beautiful capture. I definitely like the reduced blue/cyan in the FG of the repost.

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