Joshua Trees

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 14, 201712,086 views8 comments

This is another from Death Valley last week. It is a bit of a different look with the joshua trees in the late afternoon shadow and the bright background to silhouette them. I like the tension it creates and the different look, but I suspect it will not appeal to everyone. I would be curious to hear thoughts on it if you have any.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on December 14, 2017 at 2:51 PM

A simple yet elegant image. Thats what's great about the desert. It gives you the opportunity to construct compositions with few elements. I find this beautiful. The row of trees is the star of the show but the other elements all contribute. The sky takes up a lot of room and rightfully so. The sense of calmness and open space is provided by sky. It's elegant yet not overly dramatic. I think that we so often go to b&w to add drama and perhaps too often.

Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on December 14, 2017 at 8:40 PM

Starkly beautiful with lots of detail to enjoy in the larger version. The sort of image one could get lost in, in a large print. I think the strip of shadow could be lightened a bit to create more separation for the joshua trees.

Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on December 14, 2017 at 11:18 PM

Old time postcard feel.
Death Valley days....

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

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on December 15, 2017 at 12:24 PM

Works just fine for me, Harley. The large version has some nice details and the B&W conversion works really well. My only suggestion would be to brighten the strip of shadow just a bit to show off the joshua trees a little more. Nicely done.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 15, 2017 at 4:41 PM

Harley,

While less dramatic and doesn't have as much as that "wide open spaces" feel (despite being a grand vista,) this works for me because of the light and shadow play. Very cool that only the strip of Joshua trees are in shadow. Makes me think, what are the odds that the light only struck where the trees are, with shadows on either side? The thin veil of clouds up top complete the image - and honestly the hills and sky wouldn't very engaging without those clouds. I like the narrower format as well.

I would agree with you that the tension with that light and shadow play is what is making for an excellent landscape.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 15, 2017 at 7:24 PM

The soft light and textures carry this one for me. I like that there is enough detail in the darker shadowed area. Works for me, Harley!
--P

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on December 16, 2017 at 2:14 PM

Quite a different one here Harley with the trees all shadowed and the rest of the scene uncovered in the light. I like this as it's presented here and no thoughts or ideas for changes. It's also a bit unique with the actual small area of J-tree growth in that area. Might be some kind of underground aquifer right through there maybe.... wink

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on December 17, 2017 at 11:55 PM

This has that real quiet feel, that's hard to do. I think the big, almost empty sky makes this work. The silhouetted Joshua's are perfect. Excellent Harley.

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