Topic: Love those Trees (Read 886106 times)

tim wolcott · « **Reply #1280 on:** June 28, 2014, 01:34:45 am »

Sorry forgot to convert to profile. Tim

Bruce Cox · « **Reply #1281 on:** August 06, 2014, 02:26:37 pm »

Red Oak Stump

pcgpcg · « **Reply #1282 on:** August 06, 2014, 08:05:45 pm »

My two favorite trees are vine maple and whitebark pine - vine maple for the delicate lacy texture it exhibits when backlit in dark woods, and whitebark pine for its rugged sweeping skeletons. This summer I focused on photographing whitebark pine on Mt. Hood in Oregon. As you go up in elevation, when you reach treeline at about 6,000 feet, whitebark pine appears and is the last tree standing. Heavy snow loads and high winter winds force it to grow matted and bowed over low to the ground.

Unfortunately the tree is endangered across the American west and is slowly dying due to pine beetles and blister rust. Ironically it is only in death, when the tree has shed its needles, that the stark beauty of its sinuous twisting limbs is revealed. These matted skeletons are a challenge for me to photograph, simply because the texture is so complex. Simplicity in design is hard to come by.

Here are four different attempts…

#1 has no strong composition, but I like the way the tangled mat supports Mt. Hood, which is illuminated by the last of the evening light. This mass of tangled limbs is very characteristic of this tree.

#2 I think fails in the composition area, but I so liked the lighted chandelier effect it exhibits that I decided it is a keeper for now. The lighting is all natural, being direct light from the setting sun. When I came up on it right at sunset it positively glowed in real life. I was enthralled. I desaturated the reds and oranges in this light to simplify the color palette.

#3 is my attempt to make something gracious and soft out of a tree that is characteristically wild and rugged. I chose to show just a small curvaceous portion of a tree, with softly lighted hills in the background. This is fire season so all hills are now “softly lighted”.

#4 is my favorite and here I had some fun. I framed Mt. Hood with the wildest looking pair of limbs I could find. To me this most characterizes the tree and this mountain – wild and forever untamed. The design is obviously contrived, with liberal use of filters to darken the surrounding. Any suggestions on how to make it appear less so, and still keep the basic design, would be welcome.

So there are my trees. I welcome criticism of all kinds. Beat me up.

pcgpcg · « **Reply #1283 on:** August 06, 2014, 08:07:20 pm »

Quote from: tim wolcott on June 27, 2014, 12:47:59 am

...This is one I finally got around to processing. Can't wait for fall!!!!!

Me either. Gorgeous photo!

Slobodan Blagojevic · « **Reply #1284 on:** August 06, 2014, 08:09:32 pm »

Stunning, Paul!

wolfnowl · « **Reply #1285 on:** August 07, 2014, 02:17:40 am »

A not very good image of an amazing place...

Lower Avatar Grove

Chris Calohan · « **Reply #1286 on:** August 07, 2014, 10:18:18 am »

Adaptation

I was really struck at how the two trees, totally different species, adapted their growth patterns almost identically to get the most light from the morning sun.

David Eckels · « **Reply #1287 on:** August 10, 2014, 12:57:41 pm »

A Lone Tree in Palouse

From a recent trek. Need to get going again.

Chairman Bill · « **Reply #1288 on:** August 10, 2014, 01:17:10 pm »

Quote from: pcgpcg on August 06, 2014, 08:05:45 pm

So there are my trees. I welcome criticism of all kinds. Beat me up.

And some great ones too. I particularly liked numbers 2 & 3

armand · « **Reply #1289 on:** August 10, 2014, 09:43:34 pm »

Quote from: pcgpcg on August 06, 2014, 08:05:45 pm

My two favorite trees are vine maple and whitebark pine - vine maple for the delicate lacy texture it exhibits when backlit in dark woods, and whitebark pine for its rugged sweeping skeletons. This summer I focused on photographing whitebark pine on Mt. Hood in Oregon. As you go up in elevation, when you reach treeline at about 6,000 feet, whitebark pine appears and is the last tree standing. Heavy snow loads and high winter winds force it to grow matted and bowed over low to the ground.

...
#2 I think fails in the composition area, but I so liked the lighted chandelier effect it exhibits that I decided it is a keeper for now. The lighting is all natural, being direct light from the setting sun. When I came up on it right at sunset it positively glowed in real life. I was enthralled. I desaturated the reds and oranges in this light to simplify the color palette.

....

So there are my trees. I welcome criticism of all kinds. Beat me up.

The second one has something magical in it, I'm thinking elves

pcgpcg · « **Reply #1290 on:** August 11, 2014, 12:23:13 am »

Quote from: armand on August 10, 2014, 09:43:34 pm

The second one has something magical in it, I'm thinking elves

Ha! I was camped near this tree. If I had thought of that I would have been up all night!

pcgpcg · « **Reply #1291 on:** August 12, 2014, 12:46:52 pm »

I found this tree monster lurking in my backyard.

wolfnowl · « **Reply #1292 on:** August 12, 2014, 07:41:10 pm »

Quote from: Chris Calohan on August 07, 2014, 10:18:18 am

Adaptation

I was really struck at how the two trees, totally different species, adapted their growth patterns almost identically to get the most light from the morning sun.

(Almost) above everything else, light determines growth and location for trees, and different species have different tolerances for shade. Some trees can grow in the shade of their parents, and some can't. Poplar and birch are very shade intolerant, so while they'll grow up quickly after a forest fire clears an opening (for example), their offspring can't grow under them. It's also while you'll often see poplar or birch growing out at an angle toward the light at the edge of a grove. Hard maple, red oak, species like that can grow well in shade, and they tend to grow more slowly, so they'll grow up under the faster growing trees and replace them as they die out. Species that can't compete well in low light also tend to be found in lower, wetter areas. In general terms it's known as a successional forest.

Mike.