The spirit of Birch -- impressionistic interpretation of the bold reclaimer of open spaces.

Micki;

 

Thanks for your kind words. I agree that increasing the saturation would be a poor idea I like the pastel effect and I try to avoid that over-saturated style that I see too much of.

 

Diana;

 

Although this most certainly is a fairly much straight from the camera photo, I do get that type of reaction quite often. Thanks for stopping by.

 

PNF;

 

I am always pleased to have you drop by and leave behind your impressions -- glad you liked this one.

 

Pnina;

 

I have the greatest respect for your opinions and a vote of confidence from you is terrific encouragement. I am glad you can see a bit of the spirit of myself in there along with the spirit of the Birch.

 

Pete;

 

I like your analogy of a curtain. These trees do tend to skirt the perimeter in a curtain like fashion. Holding back the light from the clearing in front thus offering shade to the forest behind.

 

David;

 

I had left off a reply to your question, figuring this could get quite long winded. For starters I do not mind in the least sharing what I have learned, there is nothing proprietary to my minds eye in what I'm doing. Off topic-- but one of my other endeavours is in-vitro propagation of native terrestrial orchids. This involves as one aspect getting the chemistry of growth media in the lab tailored correctly to individual species. Some people in this field are very secretive about any new discoveries and do not wish to share. I feel this is a wrong headed approach which ends up holding back the progress of the field of study for everyone.

 

That having been said, I am not sure of how much help I can actually be as regards technique. I do not have any hard and fast rules. This shot above was taken at 1/4 sec. and f. 8 with a 70-200mm lens at 200mm. I use a polarizing filter to help slow down the shutter and as well to reduce the reflections from shooting through a car window. Most of the time theses days I have my lovely and talented assistant ( Vida ) do the driving, as I'm not much good at multi-tasking. Over the time I have been doing these drive-byes they have evolved quit a bit, with my intentions now coming closer to my results, than had been happening originally. This is the type of thing I have trouble conveying successfully to someone else, it basically amounts to being informed by having done so many of these shots. You are in a moving car with your subjects approaching and going by and gone, in a short time span so there is not much time to get off the shot. By this point I have a good idea of how the relative position of the subject to the vehicle will distort the image at what given shutter speed so I have a good idea of when to press the shutter. There are a large number of factors and I do not think them all through in the moment I have to make my decisions. I believe the processes are going on subconsciously at this point, much like riding a bicycle or playing a musical instrument. Recently John Mac suggested that part of what is going on after logging this much time doing these shots is "muscle memory" and I am certain this plays a big part. The best advice I could offer is to shoot many hundreds of these, take notes and pay attention to all of the variables and eventually the process will become second nature. I often liken this approach to improvised music as I can see many similarities in approach and execution.

I'm not sure if any of this helps or even answers your question. If you were looking for something else or have a specific piece of information you were after please do not hesitate to ask.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's a great answer, and thanks for spending all the time to write it. I completely understand how hard, if not impossible it is to deconstruct something one has learned by diligent repetition and observation. I'm reminded of a very fine pianist friend of mine who was asked why he didn't teach. His answer: "Because you can't teach jazz." Exactly. The part of what you let me in on that is most helpful in understanding what I'm seeing is the fact that you're shooting from a moving car *and* moving the camera. That helps me understand the complex yet very controlled movement. Anyway, it's not so much that I want to learn how as it is that I so admire your work and wanted to understand better what I'm seeing. Thank you! Regards, David

You are quite welcome. I enjoy discussing my approach and appreciate your interest.

 

In my portfolio everything in the folder entitled " Drive-by Shooting " was taken from a moving vehicle and since they are taken at slow shutter speeds hand held the camera is, as you noted, also in motion itself. The folder entitled " Motion Studies " encompasses all other images which utilise motion blur.

 

Regards Gord

I wish I had the time and brain-power this evening to describe how much I like this photo. I reminds me of an odd cross between a autumn birches, a tartan swatch, and a peacock tail. It works, brother, it works.

That you stopped by and let me know that this one works for you is both very much appreciated and quite sufficient. Thanks.

absolutely wonderful ! cheers Jana

Glad you dropped by and thanks for the kind words.

It is such a beautiful image. It is hard to describe, the colors, the shapes. Wonderfully, wonderfully done. Dan

I was happy with how this one came out. As time passes and I keep working at these motion studies they become closer to my vision of what I feel can be done with the concept. It means much to me to know that this one moves you. Thanks

No words, simply congrats ! Love it !

Fernand

I think this is excellent in terms of lines and textures. I'd prefer less vivid colors or less colors or the same in b&w tho...

Saw it on the front page ( small photos) Great to meet you there and this work again! I knew it is your right away.;-))

Fernand;

 

Thanks glad you like this one.

 

Marc;

 

Please excuse the delay I somehow overlooked some comments here. Thanks for the suggestions. I think it would loose something in B&W. Simply put, it does not have the strength in terms of tonal range to survive the transition. Lowering the saturation would be worth considering.

 

Pnina;

 

Thanks for pointing that out. I rarely go to the front page at PN so I would never have noticed.

Also glad to know my work is recognizable to you :-) I take that as a nice compliment.

I don't go there either only looking of the POW, also not always.... this time was a good one seeing yours.

Gordon, I am so glad I caught this one. It is wonderful, you have inspired me. I want to try this. This is going in my favorites.

If you do try some experiments along these lines and happen to remember, please direct me towards any results you post. I would be most interested to see what you come up with. Thanks for the kind words.

I really like your interpretation. I, too, am drawn to trees and am always looking for new forms of expression. You have inspired me to experiment more often.

it is just an experimental trial,you can not expect what the result will be what so ever,once the result is to be predicted ,it will fall into a scientific experiment ,

any way ,your result is fine ,and very well fit for your title,which I think it came after viewing the experiment results.

This is simply beautiful!! Love the interplay of colors with white vertical lines. This photo has power to take me in to the woods and to evoke all the good memories. The swaying motion and the overall feel is just superb.

Very inspirational. I need to do more experiment :-)

thanks much for sharing your wonderful work.