Slash & Burn

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted October 8, 20051,873 views11 comments

Previosuly posted over at TPN, but thanks to Hank Pennington for suggesting that I post it here too.
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Right outside the office building where I work there is forest and pasture...lovely places to walk on my lunch and I have gotten many wonderful photos from the area.

This week the town cleared a huge swathe of forest out of the way so that they could lay some water pipes. Progress. But I really miss my woods!

This photo was taken as the backhoe was piling wood up to burn. I desaturated the machinery side of the photo and left the forest colours on the right.

It more or less describes how I feel about the whole thing, but it may be too personal a shot to translate well to others.

I would appreciate feedback.

Regards,

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Cory Freeman on October 8, 2005 at 11:51 AM

Wow, I would never have guessed that was a backhoe!! I think this is a really cool image. I love the contrasts. It may be a difficult image to figure out without a written or verbal explanation. But I still liked it before reading your description. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on December 16, 2003, 107 Posts, 1341 Comments

Comment posted by David Bostock on October 8, 2005 at 1:33 PM

Fascinating image, Robert. It is sad. This tells your story quite well, particularly the B&W fade in. Well done.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 90 Posts, 2778 Comments

Comment posted by Ana on October 8, 2005 at 2:29 PM

This is really interesting (and amazing), with or without the explanation. The desaturation really works --fire and ash and wreckage. There's so much to look at and think about, I could look at it for ages. It's a wonderful and powerful image.

Registered on February 10, 2004, 191 Posts, 1446 Comments

Comment posted by Laurie Darcey on October 8, 2005 at 4:57 PM

Very interesting environmental subject, and I applaud you for that. However it's a bit busy and that may detract from its full impact potential.

Registered on October 6, 2005, 6 Posts, 231 Comments

Comment posted by Alice Scoggins on October 9, 2005 at 9:20 AM

I got the message right away, no explanation needed! And I don't think it's too busy. I think it's perfect for conveying your feeling about losing the beautiful woods. The monster machine taking huge bites, the burnt log separating the two, just a little of the beautiful colors of the woods left...very striking. Well done!

Registered on February 21, 2005, 430 Posts, 5959 Comments

Comment posted by beth summer on October 9, 2005 at 10:27 AM

Dramatic, powerful message IMO...nicely done.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 437 Posts, 5220 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on October 10, 2005 at 4:14 PM

Another great one Robert. I love it.

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Dane Glueck on October 11, 2005 at 3:14 PM

Phenomenal, evocative image with an important underlying message.

Registered on November 10, 2003, 193 Posts, 1748 Comments

Comment posted by Julia Flanagan on October 11, 2005 at 4:55 PM

Robert,
I think your treatment and subject are excellent. I work as an arborist regulating the development industry. This photo expresses extremely well how I often feel about "progress". Thanks for sharing!
BTW, it also evokes memories of fighting fores fires - sort of a before and after scene.

Julie

Registered on November 13, 2003, 59 Posts, 986 Comments

Comment posted by Michelle C. Parent on October 12, 2005 at 1:05 PM

Robert,
I am glad to see you posted this here. Wonderful work. I feel your sadness here. It is such a shame to lose this forest.

Registered on June 23, 2004, 453 Posts, 5551 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Benner on October 13, 2005 at 7:11 AM

Wow. Powerful, stark image. Great job.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments