Posted by Steve Sieren on January 22, 2009 at 2:20 PM
I mean White Mountains Crown
Not the most clear unobstructed view but it shows how you can almost get stuck in the branches of a bristlecone.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 22, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Very interesting composition. It almost looks like a wild animal climbed the tree and took a picture. Not to imply that you are a wild animal or anything, it is just a real unique perspective.
I really like the colors of the tree and the mtns in the background. Although some of the branches may be a bit chaotic in the lower half. But the color and grain of the tree are the real stand outs which I like.
Derek
Posted by Rudy Ruberti on January 22, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Interesting indeed. The Sierras in the bg are a nice addition. Was this taken recently? I was wondering how far up you can get in the Whites this time of year (knowing that conditions change rapidly).
Posted by Steve Sieren on January 23, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Derek, no offensen taken j/k. I've been called mountain goat and a few other things.
Rudy, no, it was taken last May or June not too long after the road opened up. I would guess the snow level has to be at 8k ft but you can always snow shoe in.
Thanks guys.
Posted by Lon Overacker on January 23, 2009 at 2:45 AM
Steve,
I really like the light and clarity here and the visibility of the Sierra crest in the background adds a nice touch. Personally though, it's a little cluttered for me and I think a slight crop from the bottom to nearer a 4:5 ratio would simplify it a bit. Technically, this looks flawless to me.
My initial reaction was to busy... once my eyes settled into the warmth of the tree and the abstractness of the image and how it truly portrays the environment I really enjoyed it. Great job!
Steve, I have found this area as fascinating as it can be out there in nature. I have also shot this site only once and found the compositions not so easy to obtain. This scene is much better then what I netted from my one and only time there. Hiking 4 miles in and out at that elevation with a full load of gear kicked my butt.
I think for me I would crop from the bottom just a bit. I really start to like the scene more with the very bottom taken off. I think it cuts down just slightly on the cluttered feeling as well as giving more focus toward the upper branches as well as that amazing backdrop of the sierras.
I am finding the scene a bit too complicated for me. I find my eye pulled between the tree detail and the distant mountains rather than flowing between them. Without seeing Lon's crop suggestion, I found the same, cropping the bottom simplifies the scene a bit for me.
Posted by Steve Sieren on January 25, 2009 at 1:23 AM
Thanks guys for your feedback and I agree w/ cropping the bottom. I'm torn between the trunk going into the ground and the garbage clutter in the bottom right. I played w/ a crop but I can't seem to get an exact spot I'm happy with so I'll just have to scrap this one.
Steve,
Very nice shot. I agree on the crop at the bottom of the frame. The composition has lots going on, but I think that's part of the bristlecone experience. Lots of twisty branches. I like the way you've filled the "window" with the Sierras in the BG. It works well. Of course the great light doesn't hurt either. Well done.
Discussion
9 repliesNot the most clear unobstructed view but it shows how you can almost get stuck in the branches of a bristlecone.
I really like the colors of the tree and the mtns in the background. Although some of the branches may be a bit chaotic in the lower half. But the color and grain of the tree are the real stand outs which I like.
Derek
Rudy, no, it was taken last May or June not too long after the road opened up. I would guess the snow level has to be at 8k ft but you can always snow shoe in.
Thanks guys.
I really like the light and clarity here and the visibility of the Sierra crest in the background adds a nice touch. Personally though, it's a little cluttered for me and I think a slight crop from the bottom to nearer a 4:5 ratio would simplify it a bit. Technically, this looks flawless to me.
Lon
Anna
I think for me I would crop from the bottom just a bit. I really start to like the scene more with the very bottom taken off. I think it cuts down just slightly on the cluttered feeling as well as giving more focus toward the upper branches as well as that amazing backdrop of the sierras.
Very nice shot. I agree on the crop at the bottom of the frame. The composition has lots going on, but I think that's part of the bristlecone experience. Lots of twisty branches. I like the way you've filled the "window" with the Sierras in the BG. It works well. Of course the great light doesn't hurt either. Well done.