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Portrait of a Bush + rp
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Portrait of a Bush + rp

by Igor Doncov

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 20, 2016192 views13 comments
I have liked sagebrush ever since I can remember. And I'm not sure why. When I moved to Bend, Oregon I had a short affair with the brightly colored rabbit brush but that didn't last long as the sage returned to regain my affections. This image is likely one of many I'll shoot over time trying to get at the truth. Most of my friends don't understand this interest of mine. To them, it's just a bush. And indeed that's all it is.

Please let me know how you feel about the matter.

Canon 6D, 24-105mm@32mm, F18, 1/80sec, ISO 200, tripod, timed delay release

Comments

13 comments
Comment posted by Jim Jirka on November 20, 2016 at 3:52 PM
I too like sage brush. Especially when they are old the trunks get gnarly and they make interesting testure.

Very nicely done.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 254 Posts, 1620 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 20, 2016 at 4:06 PM
Igor,

Indeed, just a bush. ;-)  But I must say, and hats off to you, this is a very fine presentation - not just of the sage, but including the environment and the landscape extending beyond the sage tells more of a nature story than just a portrait of a bush.  And honestly, it's not the most perfect of sage brush.... which I think makes this even more appealing.

Great job with the processing as well.  No nits or suggestions.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on November 20, 2016 at 4:27 PM
I agree that sagebrush is very photogenic, Igor. It has wonderful form and textures, and nice bluish-green color. I like your near to far comp in this presentation, for these same reasons. The yellow blooms are a bonus.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on November 20, 2016 at 4:28 PM
I like this a lot, Igor. I am also a fan of sage, rabbit brush, buckwheat, and mountain mahogany. They each have wonderful color and textures as is nicely illustrated in your image. The color and contrast look right on to me, and I like the layers . Well done!
--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on November 20, 2016 at 4:52 PM
It struck me that the shadows could be a bit darker, so I'm posting a rework which is a bit different. Most will likely not see the difference but I find that small differences can make a difference on an almost subconscious level. Be sure to click on this image because the one you're seeing lacks sharpness.
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by Ana on November 20, 2016 at 5:20 PM
Lovely image and I like your repost.  The shadows do a much better job at conveying a sense of depth in the second versin.
Registered on February 10, 2004, 191 Posts, 1446 Comments
Comment posted by John Williams on November 20, 2016 at 5:24 PM
The repost looks great Igor. (You could probably even vignette a tad more if desired.) I too love sagebrush; I wish photos could convey smell too. cool
Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 20, 2016 at 10:01 PM
First one was good, RP even better.  Nice portrait of something that would ordinarily be overlooked.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by gary phillips on November 20, 2016 at 10:13 PM
The view out of my window is very much the same as your image.  My files are full of sage (we have Russian blue sage) that capture light in amazing way.  I like what you have here, but I also love them with a bit more side light. There are times when the sage here glows from my house to the cliffs a mile or so away. Nice of you to post an image like this.
Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on November 21, 2016 at 9:29 AM
Nice portrait of an everyday thing that works quite well. I like the repost. Very good eye to capture this and make a fine image of it. 
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Lowe on November 21, 2016 at 11:15 AM
The soft, subdued colors of the sagebrush with the nice yellows interspersed throughout make for a wonderful image. The repost has a subtle difference that I prefer.
Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 21, 2016 at 5:46 PM
Igor, The first one did look good, but yes, the repost is even better. You took a scene most would walk right on by and made a piece of Fine Art! Wonderful work! I like it a lot. cool

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on November 21, 2016 at 7:13 PM
Thank you Nick and everyone else for all your kind comments. Yes, I do feel particularly good about common simple subjects when I 'unlock' their beauty. 
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments