Silver Lining

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 15, 2010466 views35 comments

This is another image that is part of a seasonal series that I hope to complete this year. I shared the autumn version earlier. This is perhaps more of a standard composition, but I'm hoping that the light and "silver lining" take this a little past the usual. This pair of black oaks is probably less than 100 yards or so from the previous posted image. Man, I could spend a week just in this meadow, any time of year.

Your comments and feedback mean a lot and I always appreciate the honest critiques.

Chamonix 4x5, 210mm, V100F, F/45 @ 1s.
TK's masks and actions, including saturation and sharpening.

Thanks!

Lon

Comments

35 comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on January 15, 2010 at 5:19 AM

I like this even more than the autumn one, course im a sucker for winter. Great how you got the exact same angle. This will make a real nice series!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Glatt on January 15, 2010 at 6:18 AM

Sweet!! I think I'm with Stan, winter is a bit nicer. The stark contrasts between the white and black are what do it for me. Great job getting the different shots to line up so perfectly. Really well done my friend!

Registered on July 15, 2007, 171 Posts, 3566 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on January 15, 2010 at 6:28 AM

I find myself staring into this beautiful scene, which means I am enjoying it very much. I think it carries a couple of moods, it gives me a lonesome feeling, and yet, very peaceful and calming. Beautifully seen and presented Lon.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Julian Barkway on January 15, 2010 at 7:20 AM

Somehow they look like a romantic couple.... Or perhaps two ice-dancers. Or maybe that's just me.

Either way, it's exceptional work.

Registered on January 18, 2007, 344 Posts, 1961 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on January 15, 2010 at 7:41 AM

Wonderful, Lon. The two parallel trunks give this shot a nice "story". The cold mood and all the details are amazing as usual.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on January 15, 2010 at 7:58 AM

Love this scene Lon, the two trunks seems to be in a mimetic state. Colors and large view details are superb. Cheers

Registered on July 22, 2009, 62 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on January 15, 2010 at 8:45 AM

Conditions are indeed wonderful here, Lon. I think I've been spoiled by your other works from this place and would rate this one slightly below the others. For some reason the broken limb at the center keeps holding my attention.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on January 15, 2010 at 8:52 AM

Beautiful Lon, the more of these images you post the stronger my desire becomes to make a trip there this year!

Love the comp, lighting, color temp, and detail. Thanks for posting the larger version. I wouldn't mind a tad more room at the top of the trees, but that is minor, excellent work!

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Barry Vangrov on January 15, 2010 at 9:14 AM

Very well done. That 4x5 really captures the details. I so agree with Guy about the broken limb. It's not the limb itself that is distracting but the stripped bark (I guess that's what it is). It's not noticeable on the autumn version because of the leaves. It would seem fairly simple to clone this out and I think it would make a stronger image. . It's great that you have the opportunity to revisit such a place on an ongoing basis to build up a portfolio of images showing the same scenes and different seasons and over the years.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 148 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on January 15, 2010 at 9:56 AM

The lighting is great here. In your series I preferred the recent vertical post
of a tree nearby this grove; nevertheless, this is another definite winner.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on January 15, 2010 at 10:02 AM

Beautiful shot, Lon. I love the winter feel here. It's very inviting. Beautiful trees, well composed. Love it!

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on January 15, 2010 at 10:07 AM

This is going to make a fantastic series when you complete it. This is a great location for it; I remember the fall scene well. Those trees are a great subject, fall and winter both.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolas Belokurov on January 15, 2010 at 10:09 AM

A trademark treescape indeed. Every time I view it large, new details just keep appearing. Would love to see the complete series when it's completed.

Registered on July 22, 2009, 41 Posts, 533 Comments

Comment posted by Bruno Silva on January 15, 2010 at 10:37 AM

beautiful winter scene lon....

Registered on May 6, 2009, 132 Posts, 1406 Comments

Comment posted by Laurent Baig on January 15, 2010 at 11:25 AM

Lovely, Lon!

Registered on January 12, 2005, 206 Posts, 6784 Comments

Comment posted by Martin W. Quinn on January 15, 2010 at 11:29 AM

Very nice moody capture. There is just enough of a dusting of snow to make the oaks stand out from the background.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 28 Posts, 189 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 15, 2010 at 11:42 AM

What a fantastic place. Even without your commentary, your love of this place shines through in your images. This is nicely done all around.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on January 15, 2010 at 12:47 PM

Definitely a silver thing going on... and it's really sweet.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on January 15, 2010 at 1:00 PM

The silvery tones make this shot for me! I like the overall mood created by the atmosphere too. I see a lot of repeating angles and shapes inhere that make this very pleasing to look at. I do notice the broken limb as a small distraction. But nature has it's imperfections too!

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on January 15, 2010 at 1:14 PM

The large version is great. So much wonderful detail to get lost in. I agree about being able to spend a week in El Cap Meadow without even realizing the time passed.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by István Molnár on January 15, 2010 at 1:43 PM

Wonderful!

Registered on January 7, 2010, 114 Posts, 704 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on January 15, 2010 at 1:59 PM

Phenomenal image Lon. The contrasting tones I find absolutely stunning, creating almost an abstract pattern of black against white/gray. Yet your image also tells a story, even imparts a feeling, with the damaged areas of the one tree speaking to the harsh conditions endured.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laureys on January 15, 2010 at 3:26 PM

Lon, your tree pictures, I just love them, very well done

Registered on January 5, 2008, 590 Posts, 1261 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Schwarz on January 15, 2010 at 3:27 PM

Excellent composition.

Registered on November 29, 2006, 236 Posts, 1210 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Haskell on January 15, 2010 at 5:17 PM

Beautiful and enchanting. Wonderful structure to the shot - a winter wonderland.

Ian

Registered on October 30, 2008, 24 Posts, 673 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on January 15, 2010 at 6:48 PM

Great stuff, Lon!! I read Guy's comment and don't find the same issue with the broken limb. For me, it adds character to the tree. I like this one a whole lot!

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Gloth on January 15, 2010 at 7:52 PM

Beautiful image. The fresh snow highlighting the intrcate branches puts it over the top. The peek of the wall behind is a great touch. Well done.

Registered on August 29, 2007, 96 Posts, 1003 Comments

Comment posted by Art Escobado on January 15, 2010 at 8:57 PM

Classy-excellent touch of exposed color beneath the bark!

Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on January 15, 2010 at 9:13 PM

The contrasts and anularity of this works for me Lon. The larger view is especially enchanting. I like this the most despite the broken, exposed branch in the center.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 16, 2010 at 4:10 PM

Hi Lon

The incredible 4x5 detail is stunning. And the stark cold winter mood is beautifully captured.
Albert Darmo Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Ant on January 16, 2010 at 5:27 PM

It's an intriguing, and balanced, and quiet winter scene... The broken limb at the center does attract my attention too... perhaps a little too much, distracting me from the rest...

Registered on April 13, 2009, 27 Posts, 474 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Wong on January 17, 2010 at 1:34 AM

This is a great shot Lon. The blacks are really popping off of the whites really well. Love it.

Registered on February 2, 2006, 79 Posts, 2629 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on January 17, 2010 at 2:49 AM

I know some like the exposed bark on the broken tree but I would like to see a version with that cloned out to match the darker bark. I might be full of it Lon, but it might provide more continuity to this beautiful image, or maybe not. I know nature isn't perfect and it is completely acceptable as is.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Sam Chrysanthou on January 17, 2010 at 3:50 PM

I'd love to wander that meadow! Love the dance these two oaks are engaged in.

Registered on December 18, 2007, 71 Posts, 1191 Comments

Comment posted by Derrald Farnsworth on February 1, 2010 at 4:43 PM

Graceful. Beautiful.

Registered on August 27, 2007, 56 Posts, 548 Comments