Some Trees

Hi all... have found myself in and around a fair few woodland type places over the last few months, primarily taking ICM shots, or sniffing out waterfalls etc. Have found myself, much to my surprise, really enjoying trees (autumn helps). Have been particularly struck by the colours vs structures, and the compositional challenge of trying to find some order in so much (magnificent) disorder. So thought I'd try and commit some of that to the digital sensor whilst I was there. These are from a few visits over the last couple of months.

Not my usual habitat or subject area this, so all C&C gratefully received.

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Thanks for looking...

Best

A thoughtful set Bill, well composed. Trees are a great subject, as also the mass of wildlife that lives on, in and around them.

I think your experimenting is going really well! I've been at the same sort of thing recently. I think you've picked out a lot of great mini scenes and creative framings within the 'chaos', and there's plenty of detail and texture to dwell on as the eye wanders around. There's a fine line here between landscape and abstract, and I think your shots straddle this very expertly.

Regarding processing, I like the deeper tones in the mono ones, but I feel you have pulled high contrast too much with some trunks glaring out ... And I'm not to keen on the sort of white ' colour pop' effect (for want of a better description!) . And the first few colour ones look a little over-exposed, causing the tones to wash out somewhat. I'd pull EV down 0.5 or 0.7 a stop and give a contrast boost, more so on the low contrast areas nearer the shadows.

It's an interesting set taking us on an exploration of autumn woodland!

I like the contrast and detail in no. 1 and the blend of colours in 4. I have a personal preference towards contrasty images so not sure about the pastel colours in this series although they are attractive and I'm sure some will like them.

A superb set of woodland images Bill, No.1 I like a lot for me there is so much depth and feeling to it, not quite so keen on the pastel tones in No. 6. the autumn colours in the others are wonderful with No.4 probably being my favourite

Nos. 1, 4 and 5 for me Bill. You've managed to achieve separation which is often a huge challenge in established woodland. Well done !

Regards
Nigel

Bill,

No1 I like the contrast and the depth of tone.

No2 like the composition and the contrast of the silver birches.

No7 there's an almost impressionist pointism effect that lends a painterley effect to the image.

Thanks all for the very thoughtful comments and suggestions thus far...

Nigel, thanks for your detailed thoughts and ideas re processing... Very useful... Funnily enough, I was in two minds re exactly what to do processing wise with no.s 3, 4, and 6... They were all taken on flat light days, and in the end I decided to push the exposure a tad in post (as far as I could go histogram-wise without blowing the highlights) and desaturate them all a fair bit, so that they felt lighter and more "open", if you like... I've had a quick look at your suggestion on a couple of them though, and am rather intrigued by what it does... so will play with that more... thank you...

Re the b&w's... know what you mean about the "colour popping" whites, particularly on no. 2... I haven't really done much with these (both 1 and 2) in post... pretty much straightish conversions, with slightly pushed contrast... No. 2 was taken on a very windy overcast day, approaching dusk, and I particularly liked the way the silver birches stood out like smooth bright beacons against the dark bushy (and furiously moving - hence the long exposure) background, so went for that in the conversion (always had b&w in mind for that one)... am happyish with it (has quite an old fashioned feel I think) so we might have to agree to differ on that one... With no.1, though, I have tried to take the highlights from the direct sunlight on the trees down a bit (particularly the first tree), but was wondering if I'd brought it down enough and quite possibly haven't, so will look at that again...

All very useful... thank you... keep 'em coming!

Best

I'm glad the ideas are useful, that's what it' all about ... Processing opens up a whole new creative process for us, quite distinct from the joy of the actual picture taking with camera and lens. Where the two intersect importantly is with metering, because the right choice with that will determine the extent of flexibility and potential quality of the final output.

So the adjusting and experimenting on the computer is just as valid a creative occupation as the physical capturing I feel, and can offer up any number of equally worthwhile solutions. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your great work, both from the camera and computer!

Two points I have learned from experience come out of that lot for me:
The importance of metering and
reducing the exposure by an EV or so.
Woods are (often) dark places but, even so, the detail will be there for bringing out by post processing. Allowing the camera to go with its automated calculation will often blow the detail that you want because it normally considers the whole scene as opposed to the dark object within the scene. (I still carry a Weston Master V around).
Having said that, my favourite (9) is anything but dark. I love the dynamism in it even though the leaves are firmly fixed to the tree.

Hi David... Thanks for this... Yup, agreed... Pretty much always run my camera on manual (9 out of 10 of these were taken on manual, spot metering, histogram etc) for exactly that reason... Gives you more control in the field, more options in post... Boosted exposure on the first few of these by between one and two stops in post as a choice, and as you say, useful to have the latitude to do that... Thanks for comments and suggestions... No 9 my favourite too, btw...

Best

This is a very attractive set which would make a good panel hanging in an exhibition. The one I keep returning to is #9 where the leaves in the foreground tree appear to be falling. Its very appealing.
David


PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Thanks David... Yes, the leaves appearing to be falling was what I noticed too... This illusion helped by the almost total lack of wind on the morning I took it... Liked the juxtaposition too with the tree to the right, which seemed to be clinging on to its leaves for dear life...

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This is a really, really nice set Bill and very different from what we are used to seeing from you. I like in particular the sharp edges on all these images that makes the definition of leaves and branches stand out and helps to make sense of the chaotic surroundings. Number 1 and 2 set the standard for me, all the set is good, but these two are exceptional.

Regards
David

Thanks David... had a lovely time in the woods, and really enjoyed putting these together... btw, Lennythelion, I forgot to say thanks for the Pointillism reference... didn't know about that and have had a good look at it and know exactly what you mean...

Best