Quiet Time for Trees

Beautiful!  I surely do remember cold fall mornings in the Lolo National Forest, in western Montana, just like this.  A simple and effective image, Stephen.  I'm somewhat torn on whether a crop up from the bottom removing the thin strip of water along lower-right is an improvement or not.  Thanks for sharing!  Cheers!  Chris

Thanks, Chris (and it's good to hear from you).  I hadn't thought about that particular crop.  This looks like a 2:1 aspect ratio, and I have room on the left to maintain the ratio if I were to make a crop.

I like the composition as it is, Stephen. For some reason, from the thumbnail I immediately thought it was a Velvia shot, though I may be wrong. Maybe the contrast, maybe the touch of magenta at low light, it just has the look.

Peter, it was shot with film (and scanned).  I'd have to find the transparency to know what film and camera were used (likely Pentax 645NII with Fuji film).  Good eye for subtleties.

Hi Ste[hen- Have been sitting here enjoying this visual treat for the last ten minutes & feeling the quietness of the scene & feel my self relaxing & reminiscing about other lakes & streams. Visually, this is a wonderful image, it is simply, a beautiful picture. Best Regards-Ross

I forgot to check off the anonymous box- Ross

The contrasting colours and comparative clarity between foreground and background is the overwhelming first impression. I really like the sense of muffled silence and quiet the image brings.  Christophers crop suggestion is interesting, I tried it by scrolling the image down, and I find that it immediately gives a different feel to the image, makes it more tangible and grounded in a way. Personally, I like the little strip of water, it gives the impression of the trees being on an island, more distant and isolated. One to savour!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

I remember, I have seen this image, this group of trees, somewhere, long time ago. This weathered group of trees has a wonderful character, and the image is  very nice too. I wonder, where is this place?  To give you an honest comment, I would shift my position, -if it is possible,  to not include the tall tree at the left, background. This darker group of trees supposed to own the place, on the canvas,  in the composition. 

Cheers.

Ross, I figured it might be you.  The "Best Regards - Ross" gave me a clue.  ;>)

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the photo.

Alf and Bela, thanks very much for visiting.  Alf, I think that crop could go either way; some folks will like one, others will like the alternative.  I like to refer to that as a "can't lose" situation.

 

Bela, this is Reflection Lake at Mount Rainier in Washington State.  That's an interesting observation you make about the tallest background tree -- I hadn't considered that point of view.  With the position it's in relative to the strip of land extending into the water, I would not be able to crop this frame very much on the left.  As I recall, I was standing next to the lake, so my only solution would have been to back up and try with a longer lens (if possible).  I much prefer to compose and crop in-camera as much as possible, rather than throwing pixels away after the photo has been taken.  In fact, I'm now using a geared tripod head to be able to fine-tune my camera angles.

I'm very bad with numbers and names, but my visual memory is excellent. I remember certain moment of my life, when I was only 4 years old. 

So, I know I have seen this  group of trees all ready, sometime in the past.  And I find the image with your name on it. I remember this, because it has such an effect on me. I even dream it to paint it on a big canvass.   And the composition, color is fantastic on this image, witch I going to attach it to my comments. I like this  early works of  yours, mach better.

Greetings.

Bela, your memory is good.  These are the same trees, but a different morning.  In your attached photograph, I was further to the right, and the rising sun was breaking through the lifting fog.  That's one aspect of photography I like:  one can go back to the same place repeatedly, and it is never the same.

Stephen - Nice misty photo which could be from the Nordic countries as well - as the woods look fairly old. I like it. br Hannu

A wonderfully peaceful image. Thank you. 

Awesome shot, Beautiful place, Love its foggy background, Well done Stephen :)

Hannu, Mikhail, and Mehdi, thanks for visiting.  These trees are in a national parks, so it is very possible they are quite old.  Trees at lower elevations are more protected and tend to live even longer lives.

The degree of isolation of the FG from the Bg is very excellent .

Balanced, well composed, perfect lighting and wonderful colors. 

Spot on, nicely done!

Saad and Steve, thanks for visiting.

Great work with composition and lovely tones in this shoot, I like it. Great work.

Best regards Tore

Stephen, there are quite a few elements i like in this image.

1. the repetition and flow of the pine trees.

2. The foreground and trees appear to float due to reflection.

3. The blue cast, gives a feeling of isolation and vastness.

Overall i think you have done a fantastic job with this photograph.

Regards Richard

Excellent work with the fog and the cool color adding the mystery to the scene.  Nice contract.  Bes Regards,

Hi Stephen,

  Beautiful scene with wonderful composition & stillness yet mystery to the scene.  Take care, Patsy

I have visited this image twice without commenting because i felt a bit isolated in the one area, based on personal preference, that I would make a suggestion.

Firstly I am envious that i could not be there  - the tranquility, the fog, the clearly outlined 'outcrop' on the right side and the depth that it give the image. The composition IMHO is just perfect. It reminds me of one trip in Juneau Alaska where I was mesmerized by conifers, low-lying and slow moving clouds.

My preference would be to reduce the blue just a bit and that is based on the grey tree trunk in the foreground and also on personal preference. Could I recommend you try the 'grey eyedropper on the tree trunk and see if it makes any difference?  Of course this may be entirely due to differences in the monitors we use to view this image or in the way you wanted to present this image.

 

All the very best and my intent was to be truthful about the way I felt and also to be as constructive as I could.

 

I forgot to mention that the Golden Fog image that you took and Bela attached is very beautiful and amazing!l