Heart of the Forest

The colors and DOF is fantastic here. Did you need to blend for DOF, considering the lens and the wide angle feel to the shot? You have managed to fill most of the ground gaps with trunks or foliage, which is a real challenge with this kind of image. Nicely done.

I like this a lot Michael. The foreground tree trunks really add to the sense of depth in this photo. Not sure if the center one should be placed off that center position. Composition, colors and clarity are great. Only nit would be that the green leaves in ULC are soft and just a tad more DOF might have helped.

The elevation of this shot gives you that nice sense of fore and background. Excellent find.

Super shot Michael.
It has a kind of 3D feel to it. The modal light on those trunks in the BG adds a lot of depth.

good work,
gio

Well composed. Great sense of depth

michael - very nice shot. like the colors and composition.

looks like i'm in the minority, but i think depth and mood can be enhanced if you increase the contrast in the further trees. perhaps make the lines of trees in the furthest distance a bit darker.

in any case, a top notch image in my mind.

This is a nice shot, michael. I like how you composed this scene.

Beautiful image Michael. The large version is wonderful to look at. I don't think I would change anything...great just as it is. When these shots are done well (like this one) they look fantastic! I like the light here alot, along with the beautiful color.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

I agree about the DOF Michael, great job with That! I especially like the large version.

Looks good. Feels a bit dark on my monitor, but the light trunk help.

Beautiful shot Michael - love the intense coloration and placement of FG trees.

Very cool scene...undecided on the tree dead center. On the larger version it actually bugs me more. Hopefully next year have a chance at this stuff! :)

aF

The colors in the aspens are terrific and the depth is great. I am bothered by the trunk in the middle of the frame, but that's mostly due to the unconventional composition. It's sure worth looking at repeatedly.

I like this a lot, Michael. You achieved nice separation from foreground to background which isn't easy with these kind of shots. The variety of color between the golds oranges and greens helps this composition shine. Great work. Thanks for sharing!!

Great colors and the larger version is very nice. Tough to shoot this type of angle, and even though you've handled it well I still notice the ground gaps. I like it with a bit cropped off the bottom to minimize them. That leaves almost the reverse of the typical aspen shot, trunks above and leaves below as opposed to trunks below and leaves above.

Wonderful to view large - reveals the texture of the trunks and depth of the image....and all that glorious color!

Michael, it is really a pleasure for me to explore all the delightful details, especially the delicate trunks in the background. The repetitive pattern together with the autumn colors of the foliage make for a composition that leads me from near to distance and keeps my attention.

Peter

Not sure if it is the shadow, or depth, or both, but I get a real sense of being there. Nice job!

Thanks everyone for your comments. This was captured in one shot at 70mm + F/16.
@Navin - contrast was the toughest adjustment for this image. It could handle a lot more and I actually reduced it for posting. I appreciate your suggestion.
@John - good observation of the leaves coming from the bottom. I never thought of it that way.
@Giovanni - thanks for noticing the light in the background. The scene was flooded with harsh, direct light just a few minutes after this capture.
@Everyone - thanks so much for taking the time to comment.

what a great light!!

stunning

That depth is pretty incredible...not quite sure on the middle tree either. But still a beautiful shot

MIchael, my eyes say the darker front aspen trunks allow them to be led past them into the image to the brighter background trunks. My mind says that it would like to see the front trunks a little brighter.

I like the color balance, depth, and clarity here much better than the other one i commented on. Im a bit ambivalent about the center position of the aspen here, and the green on the far left throws me a bit--but those are not deal breakers, overall i really like this!

Excellent, Michael! Wonderfully composed with the FG Aspens serving as frames,
and you've set up providing for great depth. The colors are also striking.

Gorgeous, Michael. Like looking through a window into this forest of autumn splendor. Outstanding.