The Night Watchman

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 31, 2012477 views21 comments

I guess this is a good night to post this gnarled old tree. Not a new concept, but new to me. Got the idea from Floris and Marc, but tried not to copy the results exactly. This is actually the exact image I had in my mind when deciding to give it a try. No artificial light here, just twilight. Could have waited just a little longer for more stars, but it's a learning curve. Have read Floris' tutorial now and will try again with his suggestions in mind.

Please do look at the larger version, it's much better!

D800,
24-70mm,
single exposure,
20sec, F/8, iso 800,

Thanks,
Chris

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on October 31, 2012 at 11:06 PM

I definitely recognize this tree from Marc's work, but I think you have made it your own. The larger version looks great and I like how the stars seem to frame the tree a little.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on October 31, 2012 at 11:11 PM

Well done! Love the gnarled look in natural lighting. Seems to have staying power and delicacy. The more I look, the more I like the boundaries of soft light as you've shown.

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on October 31, 2012 at 11:17 PM

Natural light certainly was the way to go with this. Really nice. Nice soft light and excellent detail. Well composed and exposed. I could look at this for a long time trying to absorb everything. Top notch.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on November 1, 2012 at 12:34 AM

Perfect for a Halloween post Chris. I like your take on it, and the way the branches reach for the stars.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on November 1, 2012 at 7:18 AM

Likre the natural look to the image. That tree does have character. The subtle lighting on the tree contrasts nicely with the starkness of the landscape. Nice find.

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

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on November 1, 2012 at 7:56 AM

The large view is amazing Chris. Beautiful work.

John

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

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on November 1, 2012 at 7:59 AM

Like the shape of the tree and your comp is great. I can spot some halos around the tree, though.

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

Comment posted by Oleg Kuchorenko on November 1, 2012 at 8:19 AM

Nice image, but since I have seen this tree in Marc works, I know that, it is much more ways how to make this shoot more engaging.
The stars looks very dim , what makes it on my taste boring view. The exposure are great, and nice details of FG.

Registered on July 2, 2012, 9 Posts, 111 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on November 1, 2012 at 9:43 AM

I think this is a good first effort. I like the last light on the tree and the comp. Add some stars and this would be outstanding.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Chad Merrell on November 1, 2012 at 9:58 AM

I'm going to have to disagree with some of the others. Beautiful and anything but boring. More stars? Perhaps but not iif it would mean changing the lighting on the tree which is just perfect.

Registered on July 8, 2010, 91 Posts, 304 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on November 1, 2012 at 1:24 PM

Beautiful natural subtle directional light.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 1, 2012 at 1:51 PM

Fantastic Halloween post!! Some excellent work here Chris. I'm really enjoying looking at the large version with all the detail and textured feel is has.

I might have to try some night shots around here after seeing such nice ones here on NPN.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by David Chauvin on November 1, 2012 at 5:54 PM

It must be a special experience to spend time with such ancient beauty. A well executed image of an amazing specimen.

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on November 1, 2012 at 11:27 PM

That's an amazingly gnarled tree and the night sky with stars sets if off nicely. The lighting on the tree makes it look like a bronze sculpture.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on November 2, 2012 at 12:07 AM

The light on the tree is perfect and the sky doesn't overpower the scene. This type of photography takes a lot of patience and gets cold standing around up there waiting for the stars to come out.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on November 2, 2012 at 10:19 AM

Great subject, great concept. a few more stars would really make it shine

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 2, 2012 at 7:54 PM

I admire the effort, Chris. I really love the tree here, looks great! It does make me think of Marc's and Floris' versions though, which unfortunately for you makes me wanna be a bit critical here (cause i am/was with them

) The stars are a big deal, there has to me more contrast in the sky, but as you said it's a learning process. The bigger issue is the seriously funky stuff going on at the horizon, halos or whatever...needs some work. Keep at it!

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on November 2, 2012 at 11:12 PM

Awesome, Chris. Love the subtle detail of course but your composition is superb. The large version is flat out spectacular. Good to see the D800 by the way.

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

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on November 3, 2012 at 7:30 PM

That may be the coolest tree on earth.

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by Natalie Mikaels on November 3, 2012 at 9:10 PM

Very cool and very unique! I'm headed to the White Mountains myself in 3 weeks to capture these trees as well. The challenge will be to get a perspective that hasn't been done already.

Registered on November 3, 2011, 45 Posts, 181 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on February 13, 2013 at 1:18 PM

I've seen a lot of photos of this tree, and this is one of my favorites because of the power it evokes. It even looks slightly menacing, which I like.The natural light is a plus, IMO. Great work!

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments