"Winter Solitude"

I considered converting to B&W but the subtle colors, especially on

the tree to the left, was so appealing I left the color as recorded.

Reminds me of an etching. Thanks for the visit.

I agree with you. It's great as it is.

I like this as it is. The monochromatic nature of the color is much stronger than a b&w rendering. Nice work.

The coloring was already so monochromatic that I thought the rich color on that one tree was a nice focal point so I appreciate that the two of you found the same interest. Gracias....

This reminds me of many places here in MT. I like this too...just as it is!Juan

It is a beauty! It looks very much like a painting. Great job.

I can understand why you considered a B&W, the trees` pattern is well seen and captured, perfect choice of camera point. Holds my attention for a long while (I could live with a B&W, BTW. The color is indeed beautiful, so decent. But - in B&W it gains possibly in another quality, the feeling of mystery a good landscape often conveys)

An excellent image. Everything works really well.

Regards, Brian

So many of my favorite images are almost accidents and this is one of them. My Sis and I were just outside of Vernal traveling up through the forest and I was needing a "pit stop" and I spotted a sani-can in this grove of trees, after attending to business I grabbed my camera (hand held of course) and snapped a few shots, jumped back in the truck (it was cold out) and headed on down the road. It wasn't until I downloaded these images to the computer that I realized I'd missed a wonderful photo op and should have gotten out my tripod and spent some time there. This image has almost NO editing other than a slight color boost to bring out the golden brown color in that one tree. I decided to not shapen it because it had that appealing "painterly" look to it and I can see where a B&W version could add some nice "mystery" to the composition. Thanks fella's.

Susan, I wouldn't change a thing...the bit of golden brown has a warming effect on the shot and I just love following the trees deep into the forest. Very nice shot. Glad you had to pee! :)

 

Leslie

When Nature calls take pictures of Nature! The trees I mean....

I agree with everything you've said about the image, Susan. In addition, the composition has some elements that weren't accidental, although I don't know if they were conscious or subconscious. The nearest trees on both the left and right do a nice job of framing the image, and the white parabola between them leads nicely to the trees in the background. The color amidst the white is also great.

Very nice image, but a teeny bit on the bright side. Working the gamma curve and darkening the image slightly brings out more detail in the snow-covered area, with your indulgence see my slightly adjusted version.

Greetings Stephen, I think as we develope as photographers we curry an eye for what makes a composition that we personally find pleasing, and it was the natural framing of the trees and the depth of field as they recede that appealed to me, that part was instinctual but the "painterly" quality of the image just happened.

 

Oh John, I feel "over-indulged" that you took the time to offer another version of my image and WOW I must say you succeeded very well, I like the darker version and think it would print well, my Sis wants this image for her Christmas cards this year.

Another point of view regarding the relative darkness: I think Susan's original is much, much truer to life after a winter snow. Things do go gray, and contrast is lost, and Susan's image reminds me more vividly of those scenes that I grew up with.

I do agree with Stephen.

I opened your larger version and there is much clipping of the highlights, you might want to selectively reduce until the grass just starts to show. I love Aspen trees when there is snow, I think you've lost some of their richness due to the snow darkening the trees. Remember, the snow will move the histogram to the left which has the trees darker than they might have been in reality.

Great composition, the foreground trees set the scene up nicely.

I really do not know how I missed seeing this spectacular image of yours when you originally posted it. Do Not Change one thing in your original posting of the image. It is perfect in color and in definition. This is one to be printed at 11" x 17" or more and put on the wall. You got my 7/7 on this one.

Seems once I've editted an image, unless I'm printing, I seldom do a "do over" edit, generally if I post it I'm satisfied, but so often when someone takes the time to "rework" something of mine I always see the merit in their rendition and often it's better than mine, thanks.

I saw this and thought "that looks just like home"...and then I find out it's because it is! I wish you would have stopped to say hello. I'll bet I know which potty you stopped at, too. I have similar photos, but haven't posted them. I love this one, with the way the trees curve to the front on both edges, and I agree it's better in color!

While Linda and I were in Bluff we got a message of a minor family emergency (resolved and all is well) so we decided to beat feet for Montana and other than potty breaks and getting caught in a storm in Wyoming we didn't make too many extra stops. I shall return......

Here's an update for you from today :)

When you said you even knew the potty you were right! Thanks so much for posting your more recent rendition, I'm still chuckling and shaking my head.

Susan, you should have looked around before stopping to potty...you never know who's out there watching! :) Kim, you haven't been stalking these woods, have you? Smile. Love seeing the spring version. It's so great that you knew just the spot!

 

Leslie

I'm not one who visits the Ladies Rooms often so I'm appreciating you gals sharing these views...

Well...truthfully I had to stop at 2 potties before I found the right trees...But they ARE only a mile or so apart :) Now you'll have me watching the seasons change on these particular trees...