Dendritic

My parents live about a 2 minute walk from Mt Diablo State Park, so whenever I go home I usually spend my mornings and afternoons wandering around there. I've always had trouble finding a scene that worked though, but I think I finally came home with one I'm happy with. Taken with my 100-400 across the canyon, two exposures bracketed for focus.

Floris,

I really like the concept, here. You've created order out of chaos. I'd like to compare it with one with just a tad (a small tad, at that) more contrast. The colors work very nicely, and I love the form of the tree.

Well done.

-P

Your parents live right next to Mt. Diablo??? And you didn't call me when you came home??? I'm really hurt. Mt. Diablo is less than 30 min from my front door.

Well, even without my guidance, you did manage to snag a nice one.... Along the lines of Preston's comment, I think actually just a slight reduction in brightness, maybe a 1/2 stop or so would work nicely and probably take care of the contrast that Preston is talking about. Great comp with the scraggly structure of the oak trees. I like the green coming through as well telling me that the hills will be rich with new grasses very soon.

Next time...

Lon

Thanks guys, I'll try playing with that.

Lon - I didn't realize you were that close! For some reason I though you were more in the valley... not, apparently, Livermore... which is indeed just down the road. Well, next time I'll let you know And maybe you can show me some good spots to shoot other than the hill behind my parents house! I actually would really like to get some good 'classic' Diablo shots for the portfolio, since I've gotten a request for that before... it's bound to happen again.

Well done, Floris. You benefitted from even lighting. I like the lines, This
tree has character.

I like it, Floris. You posted it a bit small, but nice image.

Are you a Bison beer drinker? I tried their stout last night. Not bad.

My first thought was: that looks like a giant eye with blood vessels running throughout. Seriously, I love the way the outer shrubbery appears to envelop that well structured tree. Well seen and captured! I'm sure this web version isn't doing the details in this image any justice.

Thanks guys! Yea.. there's definitely a lot of detail that's missing in this little web version. Though the 100-400 didn't do quite as well as I'd have liked, though it's still pretty darn detailed.

Harley - haven't tried them before, might have to give it a go sometime!

Pretty darn cool. The detail is incredible. Almost like to see a small crop off the right to place the trunk at center..take that suggestion with the note that I've been stuck in a centered composition mindset for well over a year.

I didn't realize you were from the East Bay Floris! I grew up in Pleasant Hill and currently reside in Benicia. I hike on Mt. Diablo often, but for some reason never come home with very compelling shots.

I like the shot you made here. The tree almost seems framed by the surrounding brush.

Chris