Autumn Evening Oaks + rp

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 16, 2014228 views19 comments

This one of my favorite spots in the Sierra Foothills, especially when there is approaching weather, and a low sun angle.

Tachihara 4x5
Lens Not Recorded
Astia 100F Converted to B&W
Autumn 2004

I've worked several different versions of both color and B&W over the years and was never quite satisfied. I think this version is the one I like best.

Please see the larger version. Thanks.

Your comments or critiques are always appreciated.

--P

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on June 16, 2014 at 3:27 PM

I like it a lot Preston. Love the sky, grasses and echoing tree in the bg.

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on June 16, 2014 at 3:43 PM

Gorgeous image, Preston. Love the subject, comp including exquisite spacing of the trees and also appreciate the tonal qualities. beautiful! Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on June 16, 2014 at 4:10 PM

Wonderful shot, Preston.
I like the B&W conversion and the composition a lot.

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 16, 2014 at 4:17 PM

Excellent, Preston. I love the comp with the big and small trees and the tree tops mirroring the rise of the hills. This works really well in B&W, too.

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

Comment posted by Zhoen on June 16, 2014 at 5:38 PM

Nice comp, love the dramatic sky. It may just be me, but the left edge of the larger tree (right down the middle of the image) appears to be too bright almost looks like halos. I'm sure that could just be the cloud and or the bright light on that hill.

Registered on May 16, 2013, 25 Posts, 188 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on June 16, 2014 at 6:20 PM

Thanks for your comments, everyone!

It may just be me, but the left edge of the larger tree (right down the middle of the image) appears to be too bright almost looks like halos. I'm sure that could just be the cloud and or the bright light on that hill.

Zhoen,

Thanks for your comment. I took a close look at the 1800 dpi master file and there is no halo. the brightness you see is the bright light on the hill.

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on June 16, 2014 at 7:37 PM

Wonderful B/W, Preston. I really like the light, the spacing of the trees, and what a killer sky. Bravo!!!

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on June 16, 2014 at 7:58 PM

I recall you having a few scenes from this area in color, but this is the first I think I've seen in B&W so far, Preston.

These open plains & rolling hills with scattered oaks have always been high on my list for pleasant viewing areas overall. This scene shares that wonderful view I'm talking about very well.

No need for change IMO.......looks great.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on June 16, 2014 at 8:37 PM

Has a very nice "silver image" quality. The textures and light are all working great in the B&W presentation.

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

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on June 17, 2014 at 1:00 AM

About a perfect thirds.....
Sky and FG are really nice.
I might try to bring out the FG tree a bit more, it gets kind of lost.

Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on June 17, 2014 at 1:47 AM

It seems to have a 3 dimensional feel.

Cool.

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on June 17, 2014 at 7:22 AM

Pretty scene indeed Preston, beautiful light and tones, I like this alot. Excellent work.
John

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

Comment posted by Bill Reid on June 17, 2014 at 12:13 PM

Beautiful tones and textures in the large version Preston and a great comp also. Beautifully processed B&W. Really nice.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 17, 2014 at 12:40 PM

Wow, this is wonderful Preston. I love this in B&W but would love to see the color version as well. Great composition!

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on June 17, 2014 at 6:50 PM

Thanks for your comments, everyone! They are appreciated, as always.

Bill, your wish is my command.

Here's the color version.

Please see the Large Version on my Website.

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 17, 2014 at 7:09 PM

Wow, I was (and still do) really enjoy the mirrored texture in the sky and the foreground grasses and the large/small balance of the two trees, then I found the colors version. In spite of how fine the b&w is, I like the color even better.

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

Comment posted by Floyd Hopper on June 17, 2014 at 8:17 PM

I really like this. My personal nit is the small oak in the bg. To me my eye goes to that and distracts the beautiful oak in the fg.

Registered on May 1, 2009, 652 Posts, 762 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 18, 2014 at 12:01 PM

Thanks for posting the color version. This presents a tough choice. I keep going back & forth over which I prefer. I think if the grass were somewhat more golden I would prefer the color version but, as is, I think the B&W has a slight edge. Well done.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Warren on June 22, 2014 at 12:52 AM

Preston, I was off the site for a few days and missed this outstanding post. I think you've nailed this one. The B&W version is tops for me. Congrats on a great image!

Registered on May 11, 2012, 84 Posts, 931 Comments