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tree

© lisa anderson

tree

Uploaded: August 11, 2012

Description

Exif: F Number: 22, Exposure Bias Value: -1.33, ExposureTime: 1/20 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 10.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi

Comments

Stephen Shoff August 11, 2012

I like this a lot, Lisa. It strikes an emotional chord with me. The strengths are great compositional lines, rich greens, and nice atmospherics. I'm guessing this one is also from Nepal?

One thing I'm noticing is some "banding" in the fog. There are too many opportunities for that to be introduced in getting an image from your screen to my screen for me to be certain that it is in the image itself. It will be interesting to hear if others see it, too.

In this image, the softness is nice but I think I'd like to see the foreground little sharper to increase the sense of depth (compositional depth, not depth-of-field).

Since the subject is the tree, you might also try to strengthen the ridge of brighter green that leads to it. This might be a contrast, brightness, or hue/saturation layer with a layer mask to to only affect the top of the ridge.

I took a screen shot and tried a couple of things. 1) a screen layer at about 33% with the effect masked out everywhere except the grass leading to the tree, and somwhat less (a soft brush with lower opacity) on the face of the ridge to open it up just a little; and, 2) some sharpening applied to just the foreground grass, the brighter grass along the top of the ridge and the tree itself by duplicating the image layer and using an overly blend with a high pass filter.

I took the liberty of a screen shot and some edits.
Great image, Lisa. I think its worth some effort. #1479968

Elaine Hessler August 12, 2012

This is really beautiful. I think I see some brad bands in the fog, but it looks like those are hills behind the fog. I like steven's ideas and would like to see them on the original image. Is the focus soft on the original image or is it the fog? Maybe a little sharpening and something to make the tree stand out a little from the darker patch of fog. This is really unusual and seems very peaceful to me. Nice shot. #10273066

Dale Hardin August 12, 2012

I like "misty" shots too Lisa and think this image has merit. However, I'm not as convinced of the compositional strengh as Stephen.

I like his suggestions and think they are right on line but would take it a bit further. Using his result as a starting point, I'd add another screen blend at somewhere between 25% and 50% depending on how moody you wanted to keep it.

Would then apply a small crop using the 5x7 horizontal format starting near the upper right corner so that you loose about 1/4 the distance above the top of the tree and an equal amount from the bottom. This will cut about 1/5 off the left side, strenghening your composition. #10273337

Beth Spencer August 12, 2012

I really like the fog and the greens, I think maybe a tighter crop could help it. #10273567

Peter W. Marks August 12, 2012

Can't get my head around what I am sure are great suggestions so will just wait to see what you come up with Lisa as I certainly like your original concept. #10273596

Anthony L. Mancuso August 12, 2012

I like the lines and the monochromatic color scheme here Lisa. I agree with Dale's suggestion of a crop but I would go even further with it and use a square up starting on the right and keeping the full height. IMHO the combination of the placement of the tree on the extreme right and the extreme brightness of the sky on the left draw attention away from the tree. The overall focus seems pretty soft to me as well, and I think the shadows in the dark horizontal band of vegetation could be opened up as well. I don't see the banding in the sky some of the others have referred to.. #10273609

Elaine Hessler August 13, 2012

IMHO? #10273924

Aimee C. Eisaman August 13, 2012

In My Humble Opinion #10273943

Aimee C. Eisaman August 13, 2012

I must agree with Dale that I think the composition needs a tweek. As is I find the vast bright fog area too distracting and hope that any crops you try will take some of that away. I do love the emotion of that little tree that looks as if it is being pulled or pushed by a strong wind. :~) Will wait to see if you try some of the suggestions from the others. #10273946

Debbie E. Payne August 13, 2012

Am late to the party, Lisa. They say that any time you come across an interesting LONE tree in an image, you will have found a great subject. Love the lonely little tree against the elements. I'm not so sure that I would do a good-sized crop because I kind of like the negative space and the geometrical angles it showcases. #10274190

Teresa H. Hunt August 13, 2012

Beautiful image. I love the lone tree. I can't see the banding mentioned, but I'm on my laptop and it's screen is pretty dark. I think you've gotten some great suggestions so I'll just sit back and see what you come up with. :) #10274220

Michael Kelly level-classic August 15, 2012

A beautiful shot and I think the edit by Stephen makes it even a bit stronger. I do see the banding, but it is not horrible as it can be at times. A high light gradient in a area absent of detail tends to make this show up the most which is the situation here, but as I said I don't really think this is all that bad. #10277661

Rita K. Connell level-classic August 16, 2012

I really like the screen blend one best, I agree it could use a tighter crop. I do like the lone tree and the rich shades of green in this image. I agree the brightness of the fog on the left is a little distracting. can't wait to see what you decide on. #10278854

lisa anderson August 24, 2012

Hello everyone-thanks for the comments and sorry for the late reply. Last weekend my work took all the teachers on a field trip out to the countryside here in China-the bus broke down, the bathrooms were long rows of squatter toilets in the ground with nothing dividing them, and we got back very late. It took me all week to recover.

(Stephen, I'm so happy you like this photo from Nepal and took the time to edit it. I'm still working on understanding layers in photoshop so am not sure whether I did the edit right) #10288721

Aimee C. Eisaman August 29, 2012

I've had to use those kind of bathroom facilities before...NO FUN! I'm gonna have to go with the 5X7 crop on this one. #10295707

Susan M. Reynolds level-addict August 30, 2012

All the crops have their own merit, but my for myself, I like the original best because for me the darkness cast by the fog is offset just enough by the bright green grass to set the mood just right for a misty morning or evening...I tend to go against the flow, but I do like the darker one better. I can "feel" the mood better in it I guess is what I'm trying to say.
p.s. brave girl for enduring bathrooms like that...I'd have never gone if I knew the facilities were so primitive...YIKES! #10298937

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