Willows and Cottonwoods, Snowfall

Here's something a bit different. Don't be afraid to comment, like it or not. Thanks.

1DsIII, 70-200 at 200mm, 1/120 second at f16.

Compression is killing this on my laptop! Although I never would have guessed this was yours, I do like the image. I think it's great that you continue to explore your photographic capabilities, which I am finding is endless.

BTW, I sent you an email.

Update: I came up to my office to look at this on my desktop and it looks like a different image (a good different). It looks like a painting. Well done.

Now .... why would I like this one so much? Just awesome in a Pollack sort of way.

Pete's sake Marc, I'm so glad you posted this... sure, it's a departure from your HUGE imagery, and it works, quite well. The layering and soft tones are really well done. AND, you've solved a dilemma for me: behind our home there's a grove of deciduous trees (all we have here in Ohio... ask Joshua), and every once in a while it gets hit with this raspberry golden light from the setting sun. I've longed to capture the repeating lines of the grove in winter when trees are bare, but have been bothered by the chain link fence there and shadows from other homes. As soon as I opened this, I just stared/studied it for several minutes. Your composition opened up what should have been obvious for me, and that's to search for the best section and zoom in, not worrying about the whole scene. I so like the layering of the three kinds of trees in your shot, yet not one whole tree is in view (I know, I know, this is fundamental stuff... ). The next rare event of a colorful sunset on those trees here, I'll be thanking you for today's lesson.

This is what I'm talkin about. I like it, although I would prefer some more seperation in the branches/some more contrast overall. I like it enough to eventually add it to an impressionistic gallery on your site when you have a few more.

I like the pastel tones, but it looks to my eye like its overexposed and overlaid with television static. Definitely a love it or hate it image, and I don't love it.

I normally do not care for images such as this, but yours I really like. agree about the contrast issue...

Marc, I think this has a nice abstract feel to it and I am sure it would look much better printed up and framed.... I just don't feel any emotion when I look at it!

I really like the layering, patterns and colors in your "Simple Dreams" and "Nevada Country, Dawn" photos.

While this one is admittedly much more abstract, there just aren't any meaty morsels for me to bite into. I find my eyes wandering around too much searching for something to grasp on to. To continue the food metaphor, it's like puree--goes down easy, but nothing really to chew on. I must admit, I'm not big on abstract or impressionistic art. That must have something to do with the left brain, nerd side of me. To each his own, I guess.

C'mon, at least I tried to make the critique a little entertaining if not gut wrenching.

I agree with Hans and also Paul, above. It's wonderful to see you apply your remarkable talents to a soft, intimate subject. I think the eye does want to latch onto something as a structure or skeleton for what it sees; IMHO the closes thing here is the tree about 2/3 of the way across (L to R) the image. Had you considered cropping 20-25% at the right, to put that tree in a stronger position?

All IMHO of course.

It's not my favorite of yours, Marc, but I like it. I know it's subtle but maybe a hair more contrast would be nice.

This reminds me of Jim Jirka's subtle renderings of grassland themes. I like the idea very much and I would like to see more of this type of theme, from you and others as well. As you may know, I am partial to abstractions - I feel that all two dimensional renderings of three dimension scenes are abstracts to some degree - so go for it.

I don't mind the softness, although it perhaps needs one stronger texture/color.

Can't decide. I'll grade you an A for the top 1/3, a B for the bottom 1/3, and a C- for the center 1/3. Was there a bit of fogging on the lens? Also I think the contrast level is what I like best about this and I vote against changing it.

Marc,
Different but nice. I would say in the right place, it would look real good printed large and framed.

What Bryan said.

Hold the phone! What's this? Marc Adamus shoots with a 70-200??

Hey, I'm impressed. I love shots like this, it's just that mine usually don't turn out as well as this lovely, painterly rendering. Nice going!

Please try to leave some subjects for those of us mere mortals to mess around with, will ya?