Emergence

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 10, 2011170 views10 comments

The winter in California this year has been somewhat of a let down. Cold temperatures a few days near freezing and only one real storm moved through early on. It is typical to have at least one storm each winter move through the SF Bay area and dump some snow in the local mountains, but not this year so far.

So back to the archives for this image of a snow ladened spruce along the ridge line of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

I took some liberties with processing here and increased the contrast to darken the inner areas of the tree to give the impression that the snow covered branches were some how emerging out from the unknown darkness.

4x5, 150mm, Fuji Provia 100F.

Also this is the first scan off of my new Microtek Artixscan M1 scanner. My 1800f put out its last pixel about a month ago after an incredible 7 year run. Check the larger file for details.

Your thoughts, comments and critiques on this image much appreciated.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 10, 2011 at 11:03 PM

This looks amazing on my laptop. It enhance blue/cyan, so this image looks very cold, but this is totally appropriate given the subject. The laptop is also quite contrasty, which makes this look like icy hands reaching out of the darkness.

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

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on February 11, 2011 at 12:36 AM

Gorgeous, Youssef! This has such a graphic and emotive quality to it. I like the high contrast and blues.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Mitch Erwin on February 11, 2011 at 9:32 AM

Youssef,

I really enjoy the abstractness of this, I'm a little on the fence about how blue this is, but I do agree it adds a coolness adding to the mood here.

Registered on April 24, 2006, 98 Posts, 656 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on February 11, 2011 at 10:25 AM

This is a very interesting image, Youseff. I really like the abstract nature of it, and the color works nicely for the subject matter. The foreground foliage acts as a very nice anchor, providing more interest to a nice scene.

--P

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

Comment posted by Alex Mody on February 11, 2011 at 3:07 PM

This is a gorgeous image that is certainly deserving of more comments than this. I like the high contrast look in this, and the composition is just elegant. I might warm it up a touch, but that's it.

Registered on December 25, 2007, 163 Posts, 1896 Comments

Comment posted by Julian Barkway on February 11, 2011 at 5:43 PM

Love the way you've composed this. Great shapes and textures.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 11, 2011 at 6:21 PM

I am very much liking the image and the high contrast treatment, but I am finding it too blue for my tastes. Overall, it is a very fine image.

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on February 11, 2011 at 11:24 PM

Love the contrast with the deep shadows, Youssef, and the boughs reaching out as you intended. The textures in the snow on the boughs are really nice as well. A beautiful, almost abstract image of this tree that is really exquisite.
Hope you enjoy your new scanner and have better luck with it than I do. Have been getting scan lines unrelated to software. Can't figure out why. I really like the glassless scanning though.

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

Comment posted by Raymond D Smith on February 12, 2011 at 9:23 AM

Great title Ismail, I love how you captured this scene. The processing is true to your artistic eye. I know you might not have been able to help it and there is no good crop but the trees along the bottom intrude into the concept a touch for me but are far from being a deal breaker. The blacks are such a strong statement I just love those dark black shadows. Awesome . Cheers

Registered on January 22, 2009, 12 Posts, 479 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Wegemann on February 12, 2011 at 4:13 PM

A beauty, Youssef! I love the blue cast as it really does convey the cold. I could see this also working warmed up a bit. Well seen.

Registered on December 14, 2006, 58 Posts, 1888 Comments