'Among the Dead'

I'll be interested to see if this resonates with anyone here, though I'm positive it's not one of those images that is going to have mass appeal. I like it very much myself, though it's not in my typical style. I've been making an effort to diversify the types of images I share on this forum, as my photography is really more wide ranging than it may seem to those accustomed to my frequent posts of wide, dramatic vistas. I shoot a lot of other things, and I'm influenced by and appreciate a huge range of photographic art.

Here, I was attracted to the selective, natural illumination dead trees and grasses and relative darkness of thier surroundings. There was no PS work at all done to this image, except the B&W conversion, which is probably why the lighting of the scene caught my eye. The trees are on the shore of St. Mary lake in Glacier Park, a windy and harsh environment much of the year. The blowing grasses were a telling representation of this for me, as was the gnarled character of the trees. I found them both quite beautiful even in death.

1Ds III, 24-105 at 65mm, 1/60 second at f/11, no filters.

It speaks to me. Beyond the obvious beauty of the image, it conveys a sense of unease, almost a creepy feeling. It must be those enveloping, bare, horizontal branches and the strong side light with deep shadows.

I have really enjoyed your recent posts here that are pushing the envelope - the bunch of leaves w/ water from above, the 'shrooms, and now this. Your talent and inventiveness is amazing, Marc. Let's see more of this.

The tree seems like a headstone to the bare dead earth below it to the left. Symbolism in the blowing grass....could be if you can see that far. Good title.

I like this one a lot. Of you last few posts here on the pnw forum this one grabs me the most - by a long shot. The natural chiaroscuro effect of the light combines well with your title and the subjects - Light and dark, dead and living. Excellent stuff, and thought provoking. As with the recent shot of the leaves in the stream, I wonder what your intended end use for this photo is. I can see them fitting in with a collection, or a book, but might be hard to find the right person who wants to put them on a wall. This one not so much as the leaves image though.

As mentioned, your desire to explore creative artistry along with the more profitable-scenic imagery is both admirable and a bold move considering your standards. And thanks for soliciting honest opinions on your work here despite the acclaim you've received.

I really like the contrast with the lights and darks. The tree stands out well against the shadows. The direction of the grasses signify movement while the tree conveys a sense of rigidity. The multiple textures present an interesting study. I might lighten this a hair.

I hope I'm allowed to make comment. I'm in the California Group (CANP). I think the shot is great. It has an infra red feel to it.
Well done!

Steve Rosenthal

Love this Marc, and for all your grand landscapes it is often your smaller scenes I remember most.

I dig these recent posts, Marc. I like the subtle lighting and spacing of elements here... works nicely.

I love the haunting look to this image Marc. The light on the grasses, stone, and dying trees balance each other out well.

David M. Cobb

I think it works quite well as a photograph in its own right, and works very well for this time of year. (Does anyone else -- or at least anyone among those of us in not-hearty-enough condition to spend winter weekends camping out in the mountains -- find themselves going through a period of depression when it finally sinks in that this year's shooting is over, and we now have a several-month wait before having any subjects other than rain, dead vegetation, and solid-overcast skies? This shot feels to me like a requiem for the photographing year, although I'm sure it isn't so for Marc.)

As always it's technically well done, but I'll have to go contrapuntal on this one and say it doesn't grab me as much. It's always easier to say that than to say why, but I'll give it a shot. The bottom half doesn't have as much depth (more two dimensional?) as most of your photos. The tree is much better, but per my taste is too small a part of the photo. As noted above, others (most?) will likely have a very different take.

Marc,
Nice eye spoting this comp. The sweeping of the grasses really makes it. I really like it!

Well seen to catch this scene. The natural contrast is great and really reflects the location. The only thing I would consider is maybe a slight slight dodge to the first(left) bunch of grass, but thats is just nit picking. I love your "small scene" stuff

For me personally this lacks interest........just looks like a Black and white snapshot as far as I can tell....

Gives me goose bumps it's so wild and hauntingly beautiful. Expert comp and capture of the light.

Kinda cool, and different from your usual stuff. The B&W treatment highlights the shapes and textures very well.

I'm all over it.

If I owned more of an "art" home, I'd have this one 30x40 in my living room. It has it all, texture, light, movement.