Weeping Willow

Cry me a river?

 

Any comments appreciated. Wish I had an IR filter for a shot like this.

The composition is excellent but I think you need a little more contrast. Email me about IR.

I think the composition is excellent as well Margaret, especially viewed in the large format. Quiet and moody.

 

Dare I tell you I'm not keen on the frame? It takes the eye (my eyes, at least) out of the picture.

You dare!! Yes, Audrey. I have to lose my love of my frames. I am hooked on them. LOL.

 

Thanks Felix, I will take you up on that IR. Meanwhile there is a shot very much like mine on the top photos page using his IR filter on his digital Canon (I forget the exact model number) It looks good.

 

Here it is with no frame and a bit more contrast and a tad of brightness.

the compositon is very good the contrast too low for me. A good candidate for IR. Just put a filter on your lens and a IR-Film into your camera ( or use digicam as you've done).

an idea for toning,contrast and framing?? May be the mood is gone by the contrast, what do you think?

Margaret, your new version does more justice to this well captured composition.

 

Robert's toned version gives the magic glow and separates the foreground tree from the bridge. A master's touch.

Frankly I like the way you framed, but there was something missing there. I found it in your last toned version. Great, much better in my opinion.

Ruminating, ruminating. Ah yes, Maggie and indeed that's a quality that's readily apparent here. What dark thoughts are percolating inside you as you made this image? Or are they more pensive and tinged with sadness? Yes, pensive and a little sad, I think. The willow tedrils drag the water as if contemplating loss. But still, there's some hope, some light, if we trace the lines of its trunk to top and see the patch of light that offers a little illumination to the scene before. Indeed, an excellent place to commune with one's thoughts and contemplate the possibilities of the infinite. Its a lovely image as is, Maggie. No need to change from my point of view. It invites us in and asks us to resolve its shapes into something meaningful, yes even something infinite. It challenges us to find a resolution of its form and of its spirit. Nope, don't change a thing. To do otherwise would be to reduce it to sensibility and hence to reduce its infinite quality. A wonderful piece of work.

 

 

Thank you Robert O for spending all that time to show me how to make it look good. I like your tones, but still like my contrast level.

 

Thanks Jose. Nice to see you back here. I must come and see what you have been up to.

 

Andy, WOW, thanks. When I shot this the water was golden from the sun, but I had not adjusted my exposure compensation (didn't know how when I shot this) So I had rainbow colors (chromatic abberations they are called, I think) all over everything. I liked the shot -- well this half of it anyway, so I desaturated. I should have gone with Robert O's idea of the golden tones.

 

The IR, Robert, I cannot attach any thing to this mid level digital camera. But, I will one day advance to an SLR. One step at a time. I have lots to learn and am taking my time learning it.

All one has to do is to arrive late... and one learns... welll that is what this site is all about... I have to agree with the need for added contrast... and some lighting... in spite of the photographer prefering simple IR... when she moves up the ladder... of equipment... to support the economy

Anyone who is in transit, *has* to arrive late, I would have thought. Anyway, I got here long after the ruminating finished - got held over at the Picture This barbecue...The frame? Well, after only just escaping from the last M.M. framed upload, I don't mind this one too much at all. Isn't it good that we all have different tastes!

This looks like a dark and moody piece of work - "cry me a river" - isn't that a song? In fact, parts of it could be interpreted as our reaction to a below average PN critique, i.e.:

"some things are better left unsaid. All of these things people told me, keep messing with my head. You should've picked honesty, then you may not have blown it."

Better go and do some roo-minating for myself.

I think Robert's toning has improved it remarkably. I don't know how that has been done, but it somehow has more vibrancy. I guess because the highlights are elevated? I dont know.

 

Yeah. I would say that the highlights in Robert's toned version have more life and brightness, which I like in this shot.

Andy and Peter, it was a weeping willow tree with the water beneath it and so the title. I guess the title is misleading because the golden light is what I was really after in this shot. I will attach the original.

Peter, that last frame was dreadfull. I have to stop using them, but I think they are addictive. Where is that quote from?

Thanks IT. Yes, the economy is in the dumps everywhere. Any insider tips for me? *grin* Such as which newest SLR digital camera is the best one? The best lens, with all those IR filters, macro lenses, & etc. to add to they system?

Thanks so much for the opinion Doug. You know how I value your advice. Robert uses PSP also, so I have a bit of an idea where he has been playing, I think. Yes, I should have thought of using the golden tones. I have played with that aspect of it, plus the midtones, highlights and shadows. With the contrast and the 'colorize' and curves, ummmmmmm, hue and saturation. New frame a la Robert O. Do you think this one is a bit over the top?

I don't mind your frame at all, in fact I am as 'hooked' as you are. I do think that your b/w correction is better and nice it is!

Don't take this the wrong way, but I do like Robert's contrast. Maybe it's because I haven't the trained eye, but I can more readily see the tree trunk & limbs with more contrast added.

Thanks Roger. Mike, there are a couple of other votes for Robert's version. Of course I would not take it the wrong way, but thanks for the consideration and the good honest comment.

I love this image very much, Margaret..... Yes... it is a little bit dark... but it is moody.... and I like it the way it is.... Excellent job!!!!

p.s. Reading all the comments posted on this image.... I realize that you gave a huge fun to so many people in this hot summer month..... Thanks...

Thanks Brad. I appreciate your insight into the dark and moody tree.

Rather nice really. I agree with Robert O. that the contrast could be increased. I guess what I prefer would be somewhere between his version and your initial version. The golden version leaves me untouched. Regards.

Hi Julien! I must get to your portfolio. I am so far behind in everything at the moment, I think I will need to take some time off.

 

Yes, Robert's version is the best by all comments saying so. Do you think we should tell him? :) The golden version is a bit over the top. Maybe I was just a bit piqued by people liking Robert's version best when I made the golden one. But of course Robert's is best, and I see why too. Its terrific to get such good feed back. Thanks everyone.