"Brush Strokes"
White Mountains, California, October 2004
One of the joys of making solo excursions into the wilderness is the sense of freedom that it provides...to both body and mind. While in this state, strange images seem to materialize out of nowhere. Most of the time I am unable to comprehend their meaning and so I just take delight in experiencing the phenomenon. Sometimes, however, a connection is made.
Pentax 67ii, 105mm, Fuji Velvia 100F
I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this photograph.
This is not something I would shoot, but I think you did a good job at achieving what you hoped for. Interesting patterns going on here, aided by the larger format.
This is beautiful. I am fascinated by color and pattern, but have never found any as dramatic as these. This almost looks like a watercolor.
Nice work.
Great color and luminosity Anil. You have a unique look, refreshing, with all your images. They seem to have such clarity and color. Could this image be the start of a series from the Whites?
I commented on this image in ESS last week and found it to be a very refreshing post from the normal grand vistas routinely listed there. The detail of the texture and the color is wonderful. However, I think the angle of placement on the larger knob really adds to the unique thought of the composition. Very well done, Anil.
Anil, that's simply beautiful - the curve of the wood grain, the detail and soft colors, the leading of my eye from the swooping grain that occupies most of the frame, to the whorl or burl in the upper-left.
You mentioned that you shot it in 6x7 format. Do you often crop square? Its not something I've thought of doing before, but now I am...
Thanks for all the comments received so far. I appreciate the feedback.
Cory: I would love to work on a series featuring the Whites. However, this would require several visits to the area and because I live in San Jose, it is going to be very hard. Most of my work is therefore focussed around the local coast, although I am considering doing a new set on the oak trees along Hwy 108/120 and Hwy 140.
Scott: Its not often that I crop to square. I generally prefer the near 4x5 aspect ratio offered by the 6x7 format. However, on some occasions, such as this one, I am drawn to a square composition ("Brush Strokes" is the equivalent of a 6x6 frame, with about 1 cm worth cropped from the bottom of the frame).
I took quite a few images in the Whites that look similar to this, but with less blue. I actually like the color contrasts here but I think it might be just a little overdone. The lines and textures are everything I love about Bristlecone trees.
I've meaning to comment on this for a long time. This is simply beautiful and elegant. I love the colors and range of tone from warm to cool. Wonderful.
I would've preffered a tighter crop to reduce the presence of the top left and bottom. The reason? For me this abstract could very well be brush strokes on a oil paint palette mixing colors. However the top left part's shape gives it out too soon.
Discussion
11 repliesWhite Mountains, California, October 2004
One of the joys of making solo excursions into the wilderness is the sense of freedom that it provides...to both body and mind. While in this state, strange images seem to materialize out of nowhere. Most of the time I am unable to comprehend their meaning and so I just take delight in experiencing the phenomenon. Sometimes, however, a connection is made.
Pentax 67ii, 105mm, Fuji Velvia 100F
I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this photograph.
Best regards.
This is beautiful. I am fascinated by color and pattern, but have never found any as dramatic as these. This almost looks like a watercolor.
Nice work.
Johnnie
PS: don't forget your personal locator beacon next time you go solo
You mentioned that you shot it in 6x7 format. Do you often crop square? Its not something I've thought of doing before, but now I am...
Scott
Cory: I would love to work on a series featuring the Whites. However, this would require several visits to the area and because I live in San Jose, it is going to be very hard. Most of my work is therefore focussed around the local coast, although I am considering doing a new set on the oak trees along Hwy 108/120 and Hwy 140.
Scott: Its not often that I crop to square. I generally prefer the near 4x5 aspect ratio offered by the 6x7 format. However, on some occasions, such as this one, I am drawn to a square composition ("Brush Strokes" is the equivalent of a 6x6 frame, with about 1 cm worth cropped from the bottom of the frame).
I've meaning to comment on this for a long time. This is simply beautiful and elegant. I love the colors and range of tone from warm to cool. Wonderful.
Lon
This reminds me of your earlier work.
I would've preffered a tighter crop to reduce the presence of the top left and bottom. The reason? For me this abstract could very well be brush strokes on a oil paint palette mixing colors. However the top left part's shape gives it out too soon.