Emerging Spring

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 25, 2012606 views36 comments

Hey folks. Sorry I haven't been around too much, it's just been an awfully unproductive photography year for me so far, only been out a few times and I'm way behind my usual pace of the last few years.

Anyway, this was an image I captured back in March while exploring the back roads of home. It's pretty typical of what I look for and just seemed to fit my eye. Would love to hear you thoughts and/or critiques.

4x5, 300mm, V100f, f/32 @2s
Tony Kuyper's magic stuff.

thanks!

Lon

large version posted, but had to save it as quality 6 to make it under 500kb.

Comments

36 comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on August 25, 2012 at 7:25 PM

Beautiful, Lon. I love the dark trunks and the greens really stand out nicely against the background. Excellent pop to the image. Big thumbs up from this BDOF.

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

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on August 25, 2012 at 7:26 PM

Typical of you and typically eye catching Lon! Love those soft spring greens, and the detail really shows in the larger version. Maybe a tad more contrast would be in order, but that might compromise that soft, delicate look you may have been going for.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 25, 2012 at 7:32 PM

Really a beautiful image, Lon. This type of image is always so pleasing to me, and especially when done this well. Excellent comp and such a wonderful feel!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on August 25, 2012 at 8:25 PM

Lon, I always enjoy these tree images where they leave a look of an etching of sorts. The darker limbs provide that type of view exceptionally well in this scene. Even in the thumbnail one can see that erratic pattern almost a lightning strike if you will.
Excellent detail in the larger version even at the lower Q-factor. I like the fact that the larger version provides enough detail to see the moss and tree lichen too.
A great find for back-road scouting around.....

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on August 25, 2012 at 8:56 PM

You do these kind of images so well Lon. The comp and color are just simply beautiful. Magnificent work as always!

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on August 25, 2012 at 8:59 PM

Great movement in this capture.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on August 25, 2012 at 9:41 PM

Beautiful image Lon. I really like how the dark branches lead the eye through the scene. Excellent colors and processing as usual.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on August 25, 2012 at 9:54 PM

I love the light greens in this and the contrast of each branch. Gotta love the simple things within the landscape.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 25, 2012 at 11:05 PM

The strong diagonals here create a wonderful dynamism. Really like the separation between near and far too. It's a very nicely crafted image from exposure through presentation.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 26, 2012 at 12:17 AM

You need to churn out a book, like i just did, that'll keep you focused

Real nice, Lon!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on August 26, 2012 at 1:19 AM

I'd have to say this is one of your better images Lon. The framing is thoughtful and precise, the colors are beautiful and the background softens and gives depth to the scene. Exquisite work Lon.

PS - I found your email - it somehow ended up in my spam box

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on August 26, 2012 at 1:46 AM

What a beautifully balanced graphic composition.

Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on August 26, 2012 at 3:40 AM

This is an excellent comp. I always find it very difficult to come up with a decent tree comp so it's always a pleasure to look at your tree shots. Very well done!!!!

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Mohammad Hosseini on August 26, 2012 at 4:28 AM

As I saw the thumbnail I said this must be Lon's!!
Beautiful, I like it. I like the dark trunks, they seem to be the skeleton of the image to hold the frame together. Starting strong from the lower left corner and thiner as they move to upper right corner. I like the catching light on the light green leaves.

Registered on May 16, 2011, 15 Posts, 301 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on August 26, 2012 at 6:39 AM

Lon, difficult scene to compose, yet you presented it beautifully. Really like the way the dark trunks compliment the greens..
Beautiful work.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on August 26, 2012 at 8:50 AM

SImple and graphic. This is example of where a slightly softer background helps. With DOF blending, it is tempting to get it all sharp, but knowing when to use the technique is the key. The braches fill the frame perfectly.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Haxby on August 26, 2012 at 9:52 AM

Even looking at the thumbnail I knew that this was one of yours Lon. Thanks for posting the larger version. This has just the right balance between soft areas and sharp and the background is a great complement. This would look good as a really large print on a wall. Well done.

Registered on July 6, 2006, 126 Posts, 647 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on August 26, 2012 at 9:58 AM

Beautiful. The dark branches and cloud of bright leaves are a wonderful contrast.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 26, 2012 at 10:06 AM

Classic Overacker. Strong composition, nice light, excellent color, and a background that adds texture and context to the subject.

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

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on August 26, 2012 at 10:06 AM

Very nice Lon. Has your look, feel, touch all over it.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on August 26, 2012 at 10:41 AM

I like the soft light and pastel green colors.

Registered on April 28, 2011, 38 Posts, 733 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on August 26, 2012 at 12:20 PM

A good find, Lon! The trees/branches are well composed in a diagonal manner. They seem
to mimic or mirror each other. Also thank you for your comments on my recent posting on
the CANP Forum.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on August 26, 2012 at 2:06 PM

Thanks for the response and comments folks, I really appreciate it.

I'm really kinda surprise no one commented on the gap or empty area in the UL quadrant. That was the one thing that I was unsure about. I guess it didn't bother anyone, so that's good I guess.

Thanks again!

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

Comment posted by John Mumaw on August 26, 2012 at 7:29 PM

An extremely graceful image. The background is the perfect scene to highlight the beautiful young leaves.
The gap you mentioned is really a non-issue to me. It's filled in nicely by the background scenery.

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on August 26, 2012 at 9:08 PM

Good to see you back Lon. Lovely classic 'Overacker' tree. The second branch/tree at the bottom adds a lot of interest and balance for me.

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

Comment posted by David Edwards on August 26, 2012 at 11:52 PM

A beautiful image Lon. Great to see your fantastic work again. Excellent comp and beautiful light and color.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on August 27, 2012 at 12:52 AM

I knew this was yours from the thumbnail! Definitely a great Lon image. Love the graphic lines that the dark branches provide against the canopy of glowing green. Well executed as always.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on August 27, 2012 at 1:50 AM

lon - love those cotton wool puffs of green all held together tightly with the dark branches. the neutral BG does its job too all making for a fine image.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on August 27, 2012 at 4:13 AM

Another great tree shot, skillfully composed with lovely soft tones.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on August 27, 2012 at 9:27 AM

You absolutely nailed the framing in this Lon, flawless.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on August 27, 2012 at 9:48 AM

Classic Lon and classic beauty.

It has a special atmosphere, kind of nostalsic feel or so... Love this!

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on August 27, 2012 at 10:07 AM

A great network of branches to anchor the composition. The rusty coloured background makes a good contrast with the greenery.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on August 28, 2012 at 12:03 PM

Hi Lon, sorry, I am late to your first post after your inactivity.
Good to be back with what you do so well - the trees! I like the comp. very much, the structure you captured here could not be better selected and it works well with the bg. There's only a minor nit regarding the light. I can well imagine this with some "sweeter" light on the branches and twigs, or some dappled light on the bg.
Good to see you back, I hope you increase your posting frequency!

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on August 28, 2012 at 7:14 PM

Wonderful subject, I knew this was yours before I looked, just has that "Lon-Like" quality to it, nice eye for this stuff!

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

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on August 29, 2012 at 1:41 PM

I like how the branches fill the entire frame. The greens against the blurred slightly lavender colored BG works very well.

I know the feeling of not producing much photographically. I have not been out much with my 4x5 either this year and had it not been for the moon each month I don't know when I would be able to get out. Its quite sad. The times I would be out, I now find myself at shows to just keep things where they are. I wish things would pick up so I could spend more time out in the field.

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

Comment posted by Peter Richter on August 29, 2012 at 4:48 PM

A classical composition, Lon, wonderfully crafted for me. I enjoy exploring all the delightful details in the large version. The first greens of the foliage are interestingly complemented by the bare twigs in the background to me.

Peter

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