Simplicity

Yes indeed. This fantastic man. The foreground trees with the yellow background are wonderful. Could be one of the best aspen shots I have seen,

I like the comp. The separation on the trees is good, and the BG colors show up well. Nice shot.

How about a horizontal crop out of the lower top half? The yellow above and the green below make a nice graphic in that case.

yeah this is a beautiful image Mike. I can see how the bottom part of the image adds, but I almost wonder whether cropping that foreground plant would make a pleasing image as well (?)

Thanks for the critique you guys. My original shots of this scene were exactly as you describe with a horizontal version of the upper half of the image, but the background light was pretty harsh except for the last 30-60 seconds of the sunset when I switched to a vertical. The earlier horizontals are too contrasty and those images don't have the appeal of this one. The light was a bit tricky and I bracketed a bunch but by the time I recomposed back to a horizontal format the soft light was gone. A snowstorm moved in the next day and changed the scene for good. I may go back this year and re-shoot a horizontal at the same time of day.

Amazing! I agree with Doug, this is one of the finest Aspen images I've ever witnessed. Absolutely beautiful Mike. Well done. You have a great understanding of light.

The only thing bothering me is the apparent counter clockwise tilt. The colors in the background are outstanding, and I think it works best with the lower portions included.

Mike:
I think a square crop down from the top is just awesome, easily among the best I can recall. My concerns with the lower 1/3 is that I'm just not getting any "new" or "Important" information regarding the 'story' of your photo. Plus I also think the little shrub is more of a distracting eye-catcher than and point of interest.

But again, to reinforce, that top area is the Bomb! Opps, how un-PC. I meant, it's totally Killer! Doh! More violent connotations. Let's say it's Hot. No, Cool. Scratch that. Rad.

This is beautiful Mike, It has such a warm feel to it, makes me wish I was there. I have been looking at this for a while now,definitely holds my attention.

Wow, what an awesome aspen image this is. That's why we all should not get cynic about a certain kind of subject matter, because that would mean eventually that such images like this one would not be made in the future. One of the best aspen-shot's I have seen. There might be images out there with better arrangement of the trunks themselves (though this here is still really great), but this coloured backdrop is what makes this a killer image. Does it hold my attention? Oh yes, I can look at this forever...

To me wandering through an aspen grove is one of the quintessential experiences of the western mountains and I'm always inspired by good images of these environments. The backdrop of glowing conifers not only sets off the boles, but also conveys the steep relief of the terrain.
Compositionally I think this is very good, although I am partial to a square crop of just the top part. The little branches on the lower right corner are about the only think I may consider somewhat distracting though not in a significant way.

Guy

It holds my attention in a wonderful way. this is a wonderful image. I love the soft highlights on the aspen boles, and what a great background. A very effective image.

Michael

I just love trees so much Mike. The bareness of aspens always fascinates me. This is a beautiful 'portrait' of these fine trees.

I love it as is compositionally. The only thing I can think of that might improve it is if the foreground trees were lightened up just a bit so that they "pop" out a bit more.

The background of the lit trees really sets this one apart.

This is just stunning. I think I like this better than your Tibet images. It is a quintessential Aspen shot. I like the square crop and I like it as it is.

- Dan.

This is really beautiful. I agree about cropping the bottom to eliminate the branches/leaves in the LRC. I also think a horizontal image using the top 1/3 would make be great as well. Either way, this is excellent.

Wonderful image Mike. The light is sublime. I also might tend toward cropping off the bottom.

This is very beautiful Mike, those yellows/greens in the background, are a perfect backdrop to the amazing detail in the Aspens up front. I can see the crop everyone is talking about, but more the small section of leaves at the bottom sticking up. but man this is just beatiful. I like alot as is!

Mike, I really like the upper half and would crop from the bottom. I appreciate the "looking through the trees perspective" and the warm glow of light on those pines really transforms their appearance!! My only disconcerting element of the shot is the larger aspen trunk toward the right. It seems a bit "in your face" and keeps grabbing my attention.

I like it full frame, Mike. Those branches at the LRC really help add depth IMO. And this is one of the very, very best Aspen images I've ever seen. Absolutely stunning!
There is nothing I would change, no crop that would improve it IMO, nothing I would have done differently, and I like it as a whole down to the finest detail - and you know I rarely say that about an image up for critique. In short, I want a print

She is a beaut and I would concur with some of the comments above, I am partial to a square crop of the upper section of this one. Mighty fine as presented, though.

WOW, this one is a painting, Mike. Very well named, captured, and processed.

This is sic Mike, in a good way Wonderful image the color is crazy in this.

Michael, this is easily one of the best aspen images I've ever viewed. This is a stunner and I wouldn't change a thing.


Thanks for sharing

Sure holds my attention! Beautiful color and detail.

Wow! I just keep coming back to look at this one!

Mike I think that crop from the bottom to square would improve this. There seems to be a little bit too much of magneta , but I'm not on good monitor so maybe this screen. Good eye.

Hey Mike, This is really nice. Great 3D look.

Very creative idea for a closeup of aspen trunks. The narrow shape of confifers in the background goes very well with the general vertical geomtries of trees. Quite pleasant visual effect. Not something that every occurred to me but now you've planted something in my own awareness I may take a look at some topo maps this fall to see where topography might offer something. ...David

Wow! The depth of this image is striking. My only minor nit is the group of leaves in the lower right.

Hey Mike,
You continue to impress! What a great use of light and color.

Hey Mike

I just saw this now. It's superb. I tried the various crops I saw listed, and as is is close to perfect. Ridiculously wonderful image.

Cheers

Carl

I'm with Marc on this one. This is about as aestheticly perfect as you can get I think.

Chris

Mike,

I could have swore I already commented - I know I've looked at this enough times!
This is so beautiful, it's almost unreal. Another one of the few images that has the look of a painting. Dan used the word stunning, and I agree. The apparent tilt of the pines in the background don't bother me because the dominance of the aspens up front are so compelling.

The only nit for me to complete this outstanding presentation, would be the exclusion of the small bunch of leaves at the bottom. Otherwise, does it hold my attention? Over and over and over.....

Lon

Beautiful understated image. Congratulations.

Hi Michael,
extraordinary beautiful picture!!! (but not soo simple at all, imo) And that from such an often photographed subject! Most, of course, is already said.
Did anybody mention already, that those trees seem to have sad, sleepy eyes, just like those often painted in childrens books, when trees are illustrated with a a face?
What a nice sight after first looking back into ESS after a few months of absence!
Georg

Thanks for all of the commentary and critiques everyone! I really appreciate the input. I'm conflicted about the bushy leaves in the lower right. I'll sleep on that one. As for the square crop, I personally prefer the long vertical version, but will go back to this spot this September and reshoot at the same time of day a horizontal image. Thanks again for all of the input!

-Mike

Mike, I guess I'm a composition "freak," because I took many art lessons beginning at about age 8 through college. Here's my 2-cents (just what it's worth ;^) Please eliminate those branches and turn this guy into a square format. It would be stunning. The leaning gold trees in the BG are a perfect foil for the FG Aspen trunks.

Nice work.

Carol

Really outstanding, agree with others that this one of the best aspen shots ever shown on the net, for sure. Thanks for your description how you made this photo - good to learn that sometimes seconds make the shot. Light and colors are just perfect, almost unearthly. I would not change a thing. Hats off !