Alder Forest

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 17, 2011217 views17 comments

Alders are not considered the most photogenic of trees but I thought this forest of alders during the winter with all the moss and lichen and a touch of fog was pretty nice. Made this image during the winter of 2008 here on the Olympic Peninsula. The 4x5 format is cropped to a 1:1.5 ratio.
4x5, 360mm, Velvia 100. Flatbed scan, TK masks.

Would very much appreciate your thoughts, suggestions, ideas, or comments.

Large file looks better in spite of the compression.

Thanks.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on March 18, 2011 at 12:08 AM

I love detail shots like this! The color and density of trunks is terrific! The fog only adds to the mood and the mystery as to what's beyond. I like it!

Chris

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

Comment posted by Genny K. on March 18, 2011 at 2:02 AM

I like it. Nice combination of rough bark and soft background, and the colors are lovely. OK, I must admit, I don't always like alders......certainly not when I'm trying to get through them.

Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on March 18, 2011 at 2:30 AM

Vance,

I love Alders and the mountains in my area are quite full of them. I have yet to capture them the way I see them, This image of yours really sings.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on March 18, 2011 at 4:08 AM

Vance, this is an appealing composition. I like the repetitive pattern of the trunks together with the details of the mosses, as well as the delicate green shades.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on March 18, 2011 at 6:45 AM

Gorgeous color and detail! Love the impenetrable feel of the dense wall of trunks.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on March 18, 2011 at 9:21 AM

This is excellent Vance! The fog adds a great touch, but what really shines is the texture and color. Would look beautiful printed large.

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

Comment posted by Joshua Hardin on March 18, 2011 at 12:29 PM

Quite a moody feel to this one. I love the color, framing and beautiful almost abstract composition here. Well done!

Registered on July 29, 2006, 40 Posts, 414 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on March 18, 2011 at 4:43 PM

Great comp, Vance. I love the colors you caught in this. I also really like how all the moss highlights the trees. Beautiful work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on March 18, 2011 at 5:33 PM

Outstanding mood and light, as well as textures in this one, Vance! I would love to stand in front of a huge print of this and spend a few hours expoloring it with my eyes.

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

Comment posted by Tyson Fisher on March 18, 2011 at 5:45 PM

Very nice Vance. I really enjoy this type of tree abstract. It looks like you found an uncluttered stand of Alders with little to distract the eye from the strong verticals and thin branches. The greens do seem a little stronger than I'm used to for this type of forest. I am viewing this on my laptop though, so my observation may not be 100% accurate. Great work here!

Registered on September 17, 2008, 44 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on March 18, 2011 at 8:22 PM

Very nice, moody capture. Perhaps they are not all that photogenic, but I believe I recall a few other alder shots from you that are also very appealing.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on March 18, 2011 at 9:56 PM

Thanks everyone for the comments. Really appreciate it.
Genny: I know exactly what you mean about trying to bust your way through alders in Alaska. Seemed like the only way up a mountainside at times involved a maze of alders, and all pointing downward. Down here, alders are actually trees that you can walk around.
Tyson: I think I did push the greens in the moss a bit too much. Was trying to emphasize the beauty of the moss and other textures on these trees and probably overdid the green. Thanks for pointing that out.
Thanks again everyone.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on March 18, 2011 at 10:34 PM

Maybe it takes 4x5 to make alders look good, Vance. I like the abstract quality of this, and the detail really makes me appreciate the these trees.

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

Comment posted by Pramod Viswanath on March 19, 2011 at 1:14 AM

Simply fabulous image Vance. Just love the larger version a lot!

Registered on December 4, 2008, 60 Posts, 697 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on March 19, 2011 at 12:21 PM

Wonderful colors, comp and mood. It is a beaut!!

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

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on March 19, 2011 at 2:45 PM

Vance, this is wonderful. What textures and color.

- Dan

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

Comment posted by Bill Maile on March 19, 2011 at 10:04 PM

Very simple looking, very exquisite capture Vance. You make these trees sing, would love to see a large canvas of it.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments