Bristlecone at Dusk

Let me know if you like or don't like the comp or have any thoughts on it. Thanks

I like it Steve, the glow on the trunk/branches is great but I think it would really be a beauty if there weren't so many other branches and trees around, sometimes ya just can't do anything about that.

I'm a sucker for bristlecones and bummed I didn't make it up there this year. I like the deep blue and radiant reds yet there is a lot to digest in this image. So I guess echo a bit what Reno said. Nice to see an image from that part of the world none-the-less.

Steve - the light here is great. I'd personally tone down the competing blue just a bit.

Sandy r

I really like the light and the resulting orange glow on the trunk, but the comp does feel tight to me. Definitely think it would work better if the branches weren't cut off on the right side. I know the sky can get pretty crazy blue up there, but I agree with Sandy that it might work better if that is also taken down a notch.

Steve,

Just to mix things up and confuse you.... I'll put a vote of confidence in for the comp. I really like that you have nearly filled the frame. Yes, some is cut off on the right, but the crux of the tree is just left of half and I think the composition is just right. And I say that partially because of all the solitary images of these trees we've seen over the years, on the slopes, lots of sky, etc. etc.... that I think this one is a bit different, and I think it works. Just my .02.

Lon

Steve,

I agree totally with Lon. This works, and works well. My only nit is that your watermark is distracting. I know you're trying to protect your image, but if someone really wants it, they will get it, I'm sad to say.

Other than that, I think this will make a nice print.

--P

Steve, I think the comp works well. The sky looks a bit heavy on the blues, but otherwise, a well done bristlecone image.

This comp works for me also. It's a little busy, sure, and the branches are cut off, but those are really secondary concerns for me. What I look for is - which are the strongest elements, and how are they placed? Are they "weighted" properly throughout the frame to give overall balance? How is the color distribution and light/dark distribution?

In all those respects, I think this succeeds. The blue may look a touch strong at first glance, but at that elevation, the blue really is that intense. The soft light really brings out the character and texture of the wood.

Thank for the feed guys, it's much appreciated. When I photographed saguaro cacti in Arizona, I learned to not worry about cutting things off. Also I glanced at a few notorious photographer galleries with bristlecones in them and noticed the same thing. So here if it's balanced (like Anish is saying) and has enough to hold some interest, then I decide if it's going to stay in an online portifolio or the not so good pile. The life around it is enough for me to keep it, even if it's not the strongest work I've done.

I toned down the blues a bit but not by much I do want the viewer to see the reds against the blues and not the third element (pine needles) so much. It was taken at dusk so I did have to clone a couple of stars that popped into the scene. I really liked the late light or leftover soft alpen glow reflecting on the bristlecones. It's one exposure with a stitch of 3 images. The dead ones are a lot easier to single out and simplify but the live ones are a lot harder so that's why I'm showing the main ingredient (dead parts) in the frame. Thanks again, I do really appreciate your thoughts on what you're feeling.

Steve this really is a nice capture at dusk, the color of these Ancient pines are really intense under the right light conditions. I get the impression even though you didn't include the techs this might be a long exposure. I think that's going to saturate the blue of the sky even more. That dark blue is a by product of the altitude and is not botehrsome for me, but for those who haven't experienced it, they may find it " unreal" . Well it's an unreal place and this is a nice slightly out of the box image of it.

Paul

I actually like the first shot better. The stronger blues really make the warm colors on the tree standout for me. I'm also not worried about cutting off the branches on the right. If anything, I'd be tempted to crop from the trop to really fill the frame with the tree.

Large trees like these are always are hard call to make in the field for me and how much to include/exclude. Your comp works for me and I can understand wanting that blue to contrast nicely with the reds. A solid image.

I like the strong blues in the first one. The light on the tree is really nice, too. I didn't make it up there this year, but may go in a week or two if it doesn't snow too much.

If you've shot up there, at 10,000+ feet, you know that the sky is a very deep blue. I prefer the color in the first.