Cottonwood, Willow Gulch, Utah

This belongs in the "Fine Art" category... too bad there isn't one.


Wow..... it takes my breath away.

Great light, composition and color. Really spectacular!

Ken,

this is a very nice and moody photo! I like the "pseudotree" on the rock pairing the real tree. And the tectures/colours are just awesome!

Great photo!



Veljo

Ken.

This is absolutely gorgeous. I love the light on the tree, the composition, and the contrasting textures.

Lori

Well ... where shell I start ? ... I just love everything about this image, just great

I agree with the above, Ken. This is clearly one of your best. Glad you enjoyed this corner of the world - it needs all the support it can get to stay wild.

Guy

Very nice work, Ken!

Joe.

Ken,

Congratulations on a fine photograph. Compositions is just simply fantastic. I am sure the detail in the tree and leaves must be awesome as well. Print it BIG.

I remember when you set this up, Ken, I couldn't see what was going to be any kind of photograph, geez, was I wrong! Real nice.

Ken:

This is amazing! Normally, it's the leaves that glow but in this case, I'd swear the trunk is glowing from within. Awesome photo, and glad you enjoyed your time in the Escalante.

Thanks for sharing.

Ken, nicely done!! I really like the glowing reflected light on the tree and I like the diagonal line formed by the foliage. Great vision.

John Zinn

The warm light on the tree, the coarse texture of the bark again the smooth sandstone, and the coarse texture of the sandstone on the far right complementing that of the bark........very well done.

It's all been said but I just want to add my kudos too. Beautiful photo.

- Dan.

Yup, I'll pile on with praises. This looks great, a fantastic intimate landscape.

A very effective image Ken.

A wonderful image Ken. Very nice comp and exposure. Colors are great.

Ken,
this is one off the finest images that I've seen. Thanks for sharing, it is a joy for the eye!

Everyone else has said what I think. Great photo, I like the contrast in colours and texture between the tree and the rock...

One of my two favorites from your Utah expedition. You know the other one that I mean...you'll have to post it here

It has already been said by everyone else, but this is an awesome image. I really love how the white streaks in the face of the wall mimic the shape of the tree. Very well seen, Ken.

Ed

You're racking up the kudos, and for good reason. Except for the evidence of dodging around the tree, this is absolutely perfect. The detail you've brought out of the trunk is incredible.

Ken,

Very beautiful image.I really like the comp. and the detail from the tree.To echo Bret the tree does seem to glow from within.I'm not bothered by the dodge and only a good ,experienced photographer would notice.

Thanks a lot for sharing

Todd, there was no dodging to this image. What you see matches the tranny perfectly (just checked). Only adjustments are curves and levels.

The rock behind the tree is lighter in some parts. Ask Guy and Mark.

I guess I'll be the lone dissenter. I've viewed your photos on your website numerous times and I do not think this one is in the same league as most of your other work. I do like the warm colors on the trunk but I find the composition awkward. Its as if this tree is just floating in front of the rock wall. There is nothing to anchor it. The blue-gray sticks to the bottom right of the trunk also bother me. They just seem "detached"--as if they shouldn't be there. The white streaks on the wall seem to be competing for attention with the cottonwood (both are equally spaced from the edges of the photo) and I can't decide which one is the "subject" of the photo. Don't mean to be so negative but I just don't see what the others see. Hope my critique is helpful nonetheless.

Phillip,

the fact is that this picture has impact for many people (look at the number of fascinated commentators). So you better start looking for what is so powerful about that photo. I think sometimes photo doesnt have to follow any rules to give impression. You may find some little things to nitpick at, but what counts on this occasion, is the overall impression...

Sorry about my awkward wording, but english is not my native language..


Veljo

Well, I've looked at this photo many, many times and I guess I just don't "get it". Doesn't mean it is a bad photo, it just means that it doesn't "move" me in some way. Everyone is different and people have different tastes. This particular one is not to my taste and I'm not going to lie and say it is just because everyone else likes it. I find that I learn more about my photography and vision from the people who dislike or offer comments on my photos that differ from the majority. All the "atta boys" are nice but are not really helpful. So if an image doesn't spark some emotion in me, I'll try to explain why in a thoughtful and considerate manner and I'm sure Ken took my comments as such.

Phillip, I agree with your perspective on comments. Genuine and thoughtful critique is helpful and I thought your comments were very appropriate in their tone. Praise, validation, and encouragement are nice, but critical feedback is probably more valuable.

Personally, I like the image very much but find something about the tree to look unnatural in the digital image. It almost looks like a composite image with the tree pasted onto to a different background. However, I highly suspect this is due to either JPG compression or Photoshop editing and has nothing to do with the original slide.

Nonetheless, its a beatiful shot Ken and you should be proud. I think the image works.