One of my favorite trees in the gorge. I love how it just found ways to keep on growing upwards despite some obvious setbacks. It took about 2 hours of finite compositional work and waiting for the breezes to stop before I finally captured this one. I've worked this tree in all sorts of light and conditions before, but this was probably my best attempt.
Marc, Your interest in this tree seems justified. Really like the way the soft light rendered the greens. Whether it's true or not, I'm getting a feeling of tilting to the left. Also, at first glance it seems like the fern was fill-flashed. Nice image.
This is one of my favorite trees in the gorge too, and I've looked at it many times wondering how best to capture its character. You've done a fine job with this one Marc.
John, I think I'll bring up the greens in the lower portion a bit more. The backlight up above was stronger and resulted in a bit more intensity there.
Is this the tree past Pony Tails falls? Around that curve, above the rocks? I've looked at that one also and have never been able to put anything together.
That's a great angle, Marc - I've tried this one, too, but in profile from the side. This is much more representative of the tree. For me, it's a bit flat, and could use a bit more saturation. I tried bumping up the greens, with good results (to my eye) in pulling the ferns into the foreground more prominently.
I'm glad to see so many of you recognize this subject. Someone less in tune with the natural environment here wouldn't have placed this so quickly. Making this connection with the things we see, even if we don't choose to photograph them, is an essential part of excellence in nature photography.
You nailed this tough shot Marc. The only thing I can suggest is to work the color a little more. The greens seem really grey to me. It's worth it to work it more, I mean you could add this to your portfolio.
I love this tree too, although have never been able to frame it well enough to describe what we see there. One of these days.....
I think you nailed the composition and lighting here. Very effective use of vignetting, dodging/burning etc....maybe from filters?
THere seems to be a little bit of a magenta cast on the lighting of the tree or maybe on the basalt behind it.
Discussion
16 replies1Ds Mark III, 16-35 f/2.8 II at 16mm, polarizer.
David M. Cobb
Real nice shot, Marc, it almost looks 3D.
Roman
I think you nailed the composition and lighting here. Very effective use of vignetting, dodging/burning etc....maybe from filters?
THere seems to be a little bit of a magenta cast on the lighting of the tree or maybe on the basalt behind it.