Balancing Act

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 21, 2010295 views20 comments

Went to Windy Ridge, near Fairplay, CO last couple days to photograph every photographers favorite tree--the bristlecones. These Rocky mtn versions are 'only' 1000 years old or so, mere youngsters compared to the 4000 year old ones further to the west. But they make real cool photography subjects. Speaking of cool, it was ~45 degrees when i took this photo, shortly afrer sunrise, and the tops of the peaks had some fresh snow from the night before--the month of Summer is over in the mountains!
5Dmkii; 17-40; f/16
C&C Welcome!

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on August 21, 2010 at 10:46 AM

Wonderful, Stan. Such a tree has to be captured - especially in front of such a sky. You can try to lift the midtones a bit to create some more depth on the grass and the trunk - just my personal preference.

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

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on August 21, 2010 at 12:01 PM

great subject Stan - with your usual no-nonsense style. love it

Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on August 21, 2010 at 12:35 PM

Nice shot of the "youngster".

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on August 21, 2010 at 1:27 PM

Powerful and evocative Stan. I like the presentation here very much. A graphic image and tree almost seems like its floating in front of that beautiful cloud. I also very much appreciate the restraint in saturation and vibrance here. It adds a nice, natural touch.

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Rajeev Thomas on August 21, 2010 at 3:41 PM

Stan...beautiful tree! Great colors and perspective... really like original take from this place! Your work is always inspirational!

Registered on February 20, 2008, 0 Posts, 291 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on August 21, 2010 at 6:06 PM

Nice work Stan. I like the rugged isolation you've displayed here. Only a thousand years...a long lonely life in a harsh environment!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on August 21, 2010 at 7:09 PM

Wonderful subject Stan. Wonderful backdrop too

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

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on August 21, 2010 at 7:38 PM

A nice composition, Stan. The VanGogh-like tree looks like it's defying
gravity. The color and lighting are great.

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

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on August 21, 2010 at 8:35 PM

Very unique, Stan. Pretty cool tree and a good comp. on it.

Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 21, 2010 at 8:46 PM

Love the light here. The tree has so much character for a main subject, too. Excellent work on something other than sand.

Everyone needs to visit RMNP and see how many great comps and different shots you got from this morning's work.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on August 21, 2010 at 9:21 PM

Excellent shot Stan. Whoa, did you say -45 degrees?!!!

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 21, 2010 at 10:03 PM

Great comp, Stan. Bit of a halo around the lower trunk of the tree.

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

Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on August 21, 2010 at 11:31 PM

Awesome comp Stan, simple and beautiful scene.

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on August 22, 2010 at 1:58 AM

I really like this Stan, first of these trees that I've seen and the photographers attraction is obvious. One has to also love the soft pastels in the sky as well.

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on August 22, 2010 at 10:09 AM

Excellent Stan. The combo of the tree and early light color works well. Twas mine, I'd clone out those two tree tops(?) sticking above the ridge line; they distract from the tree just a tad.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 22, 2010 at 10:54 AM

John--i had assumed that was on the ground, but you may be right, ill have to check the full size file and see if theyre behind--if so i probably will clone! Thanks.

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on August 23, 2010 at 1:43 AM

nice illustration stan - not your strongest work but what a gorgeous tree! few small distractions to deal with!

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Cram on August 23, 2010 at 2:16 PM

That's a trip! Very interesting shot, I like it. It feels like more color in those clouds would make it sing a bit more.

Registered on June 4, 2006, 204 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on August 23, 2010 at 5:30 PM

Not bad for a "juvenile" (tree, that is). I like the angle of the tree, as it looks like it should have fallen over long ago. Beautiful sky and I like the comp, too. These trees are a bit different than the ones in the White Mountains. I guess age will do that. Nice scene, Stan.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on August 24, 2010 at 12:13 AM

Very unique Stan. Hanging on for dear life. A great story and beautiful image. Nice work.

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