Battered . . . +ALT

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 6, 2017256 views11 comments

. . .But Unbowed
Sony A77II
Sony 70-400G @ 210mm, CPL
ISO 200, 1/8 @ f16
The Mercer Arboretum in Northwest Houston is one of my favorite haunts for water lilies, tropical plants, butterflies and dragon flies but it has suffered some indignities in the past year. In April of last year heavy flooding inundated the entire facility and then this February we had one of the hardest freezes that I can recall in my 33 years here. A couple Saturdays ago I ventured over for the first time since the flood and was pleasantly surprised by the water lilies but somewhat dismayed by almost everything else. I did see this large palm that looked pretty beat up but was persevering nonetheless. Ah, the tenacity of life! All comments welcome. Please see the alternate view in the first comment. >=))>

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on May 6, 2017 at 6:10 PM

Some of the high end Sony cameras have creative modes that apply some artistic processes in-camera. This is from using the Illustration Mode.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on May 6, 2017 at 7:29 PM

Darn. The illustration mode wins again. I am so hooked on that feature!

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on May 6, 2017 at 7:46 PM

Hi Bill,

Either version looks pretty good. Colors and contrast are intense, but within reason. The key to this composition is the position of the base of the frond which is right where you want it for optimal impact. Overall, an intriguing view of this aged palm frond. Well done.......................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 6, 2017 at 7:59 PM

This is a fine pattern, with the stresses adding a lot of great colors and textures. It's always impressive how much stress a well established plant (in the right environment) can tolerate. The artistic process works well, Bill, in your 2nd post, where I especially like the patterns but feel that the extra saturation is a bit too much.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on May 7, 2017 at 1:42 PM

This is beautiful Bill. I like the leaf lines all leading to the nonconforming leaf at the center. Not sure about that pole(?) in the background. I like both versions, the first being a bit more realistic and the second more clearly an abstract.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on May 7, 2017 at 3:49 PM

Bill,

Beautifully seen and I think your intimate composition is excellent. Despite the "battered" nature and condition of the fronds, this is a striking image. Even the one fallen frond adds quite a lot to the image. Great image!

If I were to suggest anything it would be to some how deal with the much brighter ends along the bottom edge, but not a huge deal.

The Illustration mode version is quite beautiful on it's own. Of course photo art, but just as striking.

Lon

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

Comment posted by John Williams on May 7, 2017 at 10:40 PM

That is... really, really cool Bill. I love the post (not as big a fan of the Illustration) for its pattern and colors. That one stray piece breaks it up just enough. Nice!

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on May 8, 2017 at 8:08 AM

Terrific image, Bill. Really well seen and captured. devil

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

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on May 8, 2017 at 4:37 PM

Bill, both versions look good to me, though I probably prefer the second. I think the filter cleaned it up a little. crying

Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on May 9, 2017 at 6:55 AM

Makes for a beautiful abstract Bill. I was wondering about the black hole near the top, but after considering it I think it does help a view in figuring out what the actual subject is and acts as a reference point. Beautiful mix of colors and textures.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on May 10, 2017 at 10:12 AM

I like both a lot. I am very rarely a fan of photo art, but this one is really working for me for some reason. Kind of psychedelic. Maybe I am getting a flashback? sad

Both work very well, but in totally different ways.

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