Grand Old Tree
Uploaded: November 01, 2004
F 2.8, 4 Sec., ISO 250. I've been fascinated by this tree for some time, but never thought of photographing it at night, until I was exploring for photo ops with the full moon. Its wonderfully reflective bark caught an amazing array of colors, accentuated by the lights from a passing motorist.
Charlene Bayerle November 01, 2004
Fabulous Dorothy!!!! #184300Allan L. Whitehead November 01, 2004
Magnificent capture and photograph, Dorothy, I love the lighting and the sky is magnificent. Very well done, my very dear friend - your good friend, Allan #882631Dorothy Neumann November 01, 2004
Thanks, Charlene and Allan. Yes, Allan, the sky was wonderful, too! #882650Karen Engelbreth November 01, 2004
Fantastic shot - love the colors, Dorothy! #882977Dan Holm November 01, 2004
Wow! Outstanding, Dorothy!! The unique lighting and shape of this tree, along with your superb capture make this a very dramatic, stand-out shot! Excellent! #883399Dorothy Neumann November 01, 2004
Thanks so much, Karen and Dan. I'm not sure what variety this tree is, but it's unusual in Central New York. This is a magnificent specimen.Carol Brill November 01, 2004
Great job on your composition and exposure to capture the fading light reflected on the tree and in the sky, Dorothy! #883947Dorothy Neumann November 01, 2004
Thanks, Carol. I'm frequently amazed what adjustments to levels and contrast can do to bring out color and detail in a photo taken with limited light. It has become one of my favorite ways to take photos! This photo was taken about 5:30 a.m., long before the sun came up. #884247snagged from http://users.ids.net/~ritrees/Nov99.html :
AMERICAN SYCAMORE
Platanus occidentalis
The American Sycamore is not only one of the tallest trees, normally reaching over 100 feet in height, but is also one of the most massive inhabitants of the North American eastern hardwood forest. Also know as the American Planetree, Buttonwoods, and Buttonball-tree, it is often found in bottomlands and along the banks of rivers and streams.
The American Sycamore has an immense trunk and a wide-spreading open crown of big crooked branches. The mottled bark exfoliates in flakes to reveal a palette of creamy white, tan, yellow, and greenish-white colors appearing on the underbark. The fruit, a rounded, dense, brown ball, one inch in diameter, is borne singularly from two to three inch long stalks. This latter feature assists in identifying the American Sycamore from other Planetrees which produce multiple fruit balls in clusters.
The American Sycamore is a fast growing tree even in city conditions, and is capable of attaining a height between 75 and 100 feet with a similar or greater spread in urban environments. The Buttonball-tree, because of its massive proportions, is best planted in wide open spaces like public parks in a slightly acidic deep, moist, rich soil environment. The American Sycamore is very susceptible to the fungal disease, anthracnose, which attacks the twigs and foliage causing extensive dieback to both, especially during wet, cold springs. #885062
Dorothy Neumann November 02, 2004
Thanks for the info, Nancy. I know you told me what this was earlier, but my mind is a sieve! #885099Pamela K November 02, 2004
Awesome special effects shot! I love the streaks of red and the highlights on the tree! And Allan's right, the sky's great!One suggestion: you might want to clone out the reflection off to the left of the tree. I'm not sure if it's a sign or what, but it's a little distracting.
Pam #886533
Dorothy Neumann November 02, 2004
Thanks for your comment, Pam. I wasn't sure whether to clone out that triangular shape or not. It's a house. Thought it was a reminder that this is a tree in a residential area. #886550Pamela K November 02, 2004
Ah-ha! a house... I couldn't see that until you told me what it was, now it's obvious. I'm not sure, but I still think you might want to clone it out. I do like the idea of showing that this is a residential area, but I think that the top of the house that you see looks really small compared to the tree from your angle and so it's a little hard to tell what it is.I love the shot, though!
Pam #886560
Dorothy Neumann November 02, 2004
You may be right about the house, Pam. The part of this image I'm a little unhappy with is the trunk of the tree. I think I should have sharpened it just a little bit more. #886638Sharon Day June 24, 2005
I love this shot, Dorothy!!! I absolutely LOVE it! #1517415Dorothy Neumann June 24, 2005
Thanks Sharon. A family friend also loved this one, and I made a print for her. #1517484Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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