Merced Grove

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 3, 2011249 views15 comments

My wife and I were in Yosemite for the first time last month. No fresh snow at that time (and no clouds whatsoever). This is an image I captured in the Merced Grove. I liked the strong vertical and horizontal lines, and the contrast between the two different barks. Feedback always appreciated. Larger version posted.

D700, 80-200 f/2.8 @ 200mm, 1/6 sec @ f/11, ISO 200

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 3, 2011 at 9:36 PM

It almost feels like an optical illusion and my eyes struggle a bit with it . . . but in a very nice way.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Simpson on February 3, 2011 at 9:39 PM

Great shot! The balance is great, and it's very cool the way it messes with your eyes!

Registered on December 11, 2006, 303 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Kenn Leonhardt on February 3, 2011 at 9:39 PM

At the thumbnail size, this had me thinking about striated muscles and nerves. Not so much at the larger size when it becomes clearer what you're specifically looking it, but it remains a bit abstract nonetheless. Interesting colour and texture contrasts and a very cool photo overall.

Registered on March 29, 2008, 27 Posts, 1710 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 3, 2011 at 10:08 PM

I always enjoy an original post. This is very nice, and it does play with your eyes. Nice job.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 3, 2011 at 10:34 PM

I really like the "texture" with the contrast between the little horizontal branches and the strong red vertical lines. The only way I could see improving on this would be to have blurred the background trees more.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on February 3, 2011 at 11:29 PM

Fantastic, Matthew. Your composition is exquisite and the contrasts in color really make this unique. Very, very well done.

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on February 3, 2011 at 11:48 PM

I really like the abstract nature of this, Matthew. You might consider burning down the background trees on both sides of the image; more so on the right, less on the left.

The color and contrast work well.

Good job!

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 4, 2011 at 12:29 AM

Matthew: One of my favorite places on the planet. This is well seen and captured. It's also really cool cropped from the sides in order to fill the frame with the sequoia trunk for a more abstract presentation. Nicely done.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 4, 2011 at 1:26 AM

Matthew,

This is very unique - beautifully seen and crafted. They symmetry and mirrored, almost Rorschach test like, does bring this towards the abstract and is most engaging. Well done.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Balcken on February 4, 2011 at 7:16 AM

Definately a unique image, Matthew. I love the textures.

Registered on November 29, 2009, 48 Posts, 249 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on February 4, 2011 at 9:51 AM

Very unique shot, really keeps you looking!

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on February 4, 2011 at 4:40 PM

It's nearly impossible to get an original type of image from the Merced Grove, but this really sings. A nice study in contrasts.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on February 5, 2011 at 2:31 PM

Wow, that is a wild composition! Very artistic with a nice hint of an optical illusion. Very cool!

Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on February 6, 2011 at 9:19 AM

The over laying forms and textures are mesmerizing.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Matthew Goldsmith on February 10, 2011 at 10:13 PM

Thank you all for your inspiring comments.

Registered on June 29, 2010, 37 Posts, 286 Comments