Alder and Light

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 24, 2012553 views9 comments

Right after the maple photo Tangled in Blue was made I turned to my right and noticed the delightful reflection in the Merced behind this Alder. The Alder does not have flashy autumn leaves but I have always loved the structure of this little tree. So I framed up a photo of this tree set against the colorful reflection.

I pushed the contrast a bit with this one but I felt it was very flat looking without it. Oh, this is also cropped out of the full frame. Intended from the outset as there was an unsightly log the disrupted the pattern of the alder branches. I am interested in your thoughts.

I appreciate your feedback.

4x5, Nikkor 300mm, f64, 8sec, Fuji Provia 100F

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Justin Richardson on December 24, 2012 at 3:56 PM

Nice use of the half/half comp..a very effective crop. The colors in the background are great, and your processing of this image is superb

Registered on November 18, 2012, 28 Posts, 134 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 24, 2012 at 4:32 PM

Youssef,

I was wonderin' what you were up to!

What makes this one work is the background, especially the gold/yellow up top; again, another great mix of color. The tree isn't as strong I don't think, rather scattered and random - but it's the background that pulls it all together. Quite blue of course, but then there's something being reflected in the Merced... oh, the sky!

Well seen! I like the square crop too.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 24, 2012 at 5:29 PM

I agree, the background really makes this work nice. I love the light, colors and reflections!...The scattered rocks also add a wonderful look. Very nice Youssef!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on December 24, 2012 at 8:31 PM

This works nicely, but guess I like the yellow leaves more in the last one.

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on December 25, 2012 at 9:03 AM

Youssef, I guess no need to mention the BG on this one, it obviously makes the scene work very nicely. I honestly think the starkness of the tree is perfect here. It is allowing us to see more of what the photo was about as well as providing a bit of an outlining to the peering through aspect we're left with on this image. In other-words......it works for me.

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on December 25, 2012 at 9:35 AM

Wonderful dynamics working in this.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 25, 2012 at 10:58 AM

This one is working for me, Youssef. Great background colors and the lines in the the branches provide a nice contrast to the light.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 25, 2012 at 11:14 AM

I'm not totally crazy about the blue tones, but i love everything else about this--the greens agains tthe gold reflections are terrific!

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on December 26, 2012 at 5:09 PM

Another excellent use of light, shadow, and foreground lines.

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