single photos Three trees

When something like this is seen in a walk is impossible to do not caught this in an image,nice composed and subjects contrast looks very good,one with frost the rest bald,and the s of the creek complete this image.I like too blue gradient from up to down that gives a pleasantly view.

Nice simplicity and use of negative space. 

Please note the following:

• This image has been selected for discussion. It is not necessarily the "best" picture the Elves have seen this week, nor is it a contest.
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• Before writing a contribution to this thread, please consider our reason for having this forum: to help people learn about photography. Visitors have browsed the gallery, found a few striking images and want to know things like why is it a good picture, why does it work? Or, indeed, why doesn't it work, or how could it be improved? Try to answer such questions with your contribution.

I'm not impressed and neither moved by this shot of Brian. I would expect, knowing many of his other shots, that neither is he.

"Three trees" ! I mainly see one, dressed in frozen mist and which almost obstructs our view from following the small steam, leading into the most interesting part of the frame, the winter mist in the background and the many almost hidden naked trees.

What I mainly like in this POTW, is the well rendered tones of the white snow and the water of the small stream that, for once, is not presented as made of plastics, as we are used to see in so many scenes of flowing water.

With reference to the fairly long discussion elsewhere, I might add: here we go again !

All right. This is a seemingly cute Christmasy photograph. Behind the seeming cuteness is the reality. This is a sapling in the midst of a burned out forest. So this is a rather morbid photograph that has been covered with a charming snow cover. An interesting photograph with much dramatic irony.

I think Radu said it best before this photo was selected for the Photo/Critique of the Week: Brian was walking along, saw the small stream snaking through the snow, saw a single, small, frost-covered tree in the foreground, and saw several burned stems that contrasted strongly in form with the foreground tree making it even more prominent in the composition, and that was sufficient to get out the camera and try for a photograph. Whether this combination of elements is sufficient to make a strong photograph is open to individual reactions to the photo. Alex sees strong irony in the photo, and while I understand the basis for that interpretation, that doesn't come across to me personally as a primary aspect of the photograph. I simply see several potential elements that don't come together as strongly as many of Brian's other photographs. As is so often the case, the elves seem to have selected one of the less appealing photographs from a portfolio of much stronger photographs, some of which have grabbed my attention in the past. I get the feeling that the elves purposefully make this kind of selection simply to stimulate discussion among the many viewers; they don't want to pick an outstanding photograph that elicits a majority of "Wow! Great picture!" kinds of comments (and we've had some of those in the past). Instead, we can pick out the elements that work versus the elements that don't work or that don't quite come together in a meaningful way, and discussing those aspects is a good learning experience for most who participate in the critique, and it may make for the most meaningful discussion. For example, Alex is able to see more in the photograph than I, and that aspect of irony (or perhaps renewal despite harsh conditions) is one that didn't initially come to me, but which I can now see better with this outside input. As a side note, I would have made this photograph too, although I might have moved more to the right to get a bit more space between the frosted tree and the snags, simply to emphasize the difference in the stages of the life cycles of these trees, with the stream serving to connect them in the photograph.

I think Stephen made a good point in his description of the "creative" process here. Some images are easily seen and some are not so much--I prefer the latter generally.

My first look was just that this really felt like a formulaic image, one you might see above a couch in a furniture store--except it isn't horizontal. Decorator colors, not too bold, contrasty but not overly, bucolic scene etc....

Anyway, I can't say it grabs me but it is a "pretty" picture. There are some nice compositional elements with the snaking creek (s-curve) and how that moves us to the tree and then up to the three ( I see three) trees that step down to our main subject in height. These things create a nice movement through the central part of the image. The image just doesn't really say a whole lot to me nor does it introduce me to anything outside of my awareness.

A beautiful combination of element, composition is excellent, exposed, worked, edited for an enjoyable beautiful harmonious image with a real winter mood. I have nothing to add to it. One exemption. It would be even better in B&W.

It is very interesting how this photo is perceived and to what extremes may reach comments.We are different and visions about the world are different too.
I still believe that this image by simplicity of the winter scene presented has a special charm, it is not forced, this want only to induce the moment as it was.I agree that the series presented by Brian has some photos with much more visual impact.
I still believe that simple things in life, like a form, or a color that can give us an emotion deserves all our attention because this enjoy our soul.

reminds me of Charlie Brow's Christmas tree but beyond that I feel the image is well balanced...i like the atmosphere as well...it is interesting how this seemingly young growth springs a sense of renewal against the burnt out elders in the background...it looks very pristine, untouched by human nature...

Nice, spare, effective composition. I suppose, I would have been tempted to move the white tree in the foreground a bit more to the left, but that would disturb the nice circle, which I think anchors the image. But, who's kidding who, I most probably would not even have seen this image.

I like this picture. This is a very simple picture and, as such, it's concept is clear and immediate. The trees in a burned out forest after a snow fall. The foreground tree, with it's limbs intact, is a strong center of interest with it's icing like coating. It stands in stark contrast to the other limbless trees which strengthens it's focus. The cool gradation of the background makes me feel the chill of the day. The stream and progressive fog give a nice sense of depth to the scene.
While I like the stream meandering in to the distance, I would have stepped a couple of steps to the right so to see more of it, perhaps from a higher angle. Or lower my viewpoint and diminish it's effect while putting more of the subject tree against a more contrasting field. The eye-level camera angle could be improved I think.

I agree with Stephen.
It is an interesting scenery, great weather conditions , worthy to take a good photo. But the arrangement of elements, the composition could (and should) be much better. the superposition of the stream and the tree spoils the composition, although it would be plenty other possibilities to get an effective one. a beautiful scenery, and it is not bad even so. just not enough for a great photo.

I find the image to be quite attractive, for reasons stated by colleagues above. There's no need to repeat them.

I do wish the Elves would find something other than a pretty landscape for POTW. What about street shots? What about abstracts? What about . . . ?

I like this photograph. It's well composed, simple, ethereal and evokes a sense of solitude and calmness. I particularly like the way the background mist gradually blends into the blue winter sky. I wouldn't change a thing.

Those of us living in northern climates are perhaps more exposed to this sort of environment than others and perhaps need more visual excitement in such an image than those for whom this sort of winter beauty is less common. I love semi abstracts of sand dunes that I seldom see, but it is in part a romance with those unusual and varying (played on by the wind) forms. Brian has narrowed in on this image from a wider view in another photograph and the contrasting elements (straight linear tree forms, winding stream) start to make an impression or intrigue in the mind of the viewer. But I would have liked him to go even further, to come in closer and to seek compositions that tug more at our aesthetic nerves. If the composition were less nice (someone said Christmas-card like, or maybe it is just me thinking that) and more edgy, caused by centering on some smaller section of the image and its curves and straight lines, it might be less "perfect" but a bit more intriguing/dramatic.

I am glad the image was chosen, as it shows the work of a very fine nature photographer who clearly loves his country. I just wish to see more chances taken with the subject matter and composition, as I think it would take his work to a different level. Incidentally, that is a situation in photography that I am confronted with, so I say it with both some passion and compassion. Thanks Brian, and I hope it doesn't get as cold in Scotland as it can in Quebec, as you clearly put in appreciable time in these beautiful settings.

There is a zen like feel to this. The winter is beautiful and offers many opportunities for shooting, but seldom to be see a crafted landscape like this. The composition has a feel of measure, as if the photographer really thought about it.

I know if this is a strong composition either. After the initial recognition that this is the forest coming back to life I can say this this is a worthwhile photograph and one that is well taken but it is not one that I can feel much enthusiasm over. The problem is that I may be numb to its extraordinary qualities, if it has any, because it reminds so many similar photographs. It is like the good little boys and girls who get their A's. Nice kids, bright kids but not much substance. (A former girlfriend from decades ago who dropped out of Smith because she could not stand the social atmosphere had a lot to say on that subject.) These sorts of photographs win contests because they are nice. They do all the right things and offend nobody. I like bad little boys and girls who go to Berkeley, Ann Arbor and Madison and graduate Phi Beta Kappa.

I think its a beautifully serene image and well "seen"...

Very dramatic shot. I auite like the composition. Bravo.

Doesn't seem to me as if the photographic "point" here was visual excitement. There seems to be a simple quality about it rather than a majestic one and a quiet, humble scene rather than one that dazzles. The slight lean of the trees feels gestural to me, keeping me a little off kilter. It is NOT the nature scene we've come to expect and, yet, within this body of work, seems intentional enough to take a second and third look at with different eyes and expectations. I've done that all week and it's continued to intrigue me. It doesn't say "beauuuutiful" to me, it doesn't WOW me, and it says something different than some of the other photos in Brian's portfolio yet has a consistency with them as well.

I appreciate Stephen's description of the photo, though I find the elements work together well, though they do seem a bit random or unrelated and don't make a STRONG photo. It's not a strong photo. Good for it!

I hope my assessment of this photo won't be colored in some minds by the fact that I live in a much more moderate climate. Trying to understand varying reactions to photos based on the real-life experience of the viewer would be a tricky and tough business. It's a PHOTO! I've seen plenty of nature photos and plenty of snow photos, enough to judge this photo on its merits, not on my own inability to separate a photo from reality. I'd shutter to think that only gay people could fully appreciate or understand my portraits of gay men or that I might ever attribute a reaction to the fact that, well, he's straight, so . . . just as I'd reject any assertion that someone brought up in the country couldn't fully understand the essence of Bresson's urban street work.

In this photo, the layers and echoes are apparent. The main tree is like a hapless little orphan, the taller stems behind it almost like its guardians. Listen to me, I'm anthropomorphizing, something I rarely do. Ahh, the imagination. Hard to control. But just making a point. It's more a visual thing for me, really. The main tree bisecting the curvaceous stream, the delicacy of the detail, the "not-muchness" that's happening. In a sense, it's a well-rendered anti-the-wonder-of-nature scene. The humility of nature is also pretty.

I'm critiquing without having read any other comments.  I find I get lost when reading what others have to say.

I like the simplicity and the stillness.  I am however feeling little else.  I don't like the title as I see more than 3 trees although 3 are more noticeable.  I'd like to be there but this image doesn't take me there. I will say I am baffled by the choice of this image.  The photographer has many others in the gallery I think are much nicer.

Regards,

Richard

This is a very simple and elegant image that is well realized and well printed. 

I like the asymmetrical balance and slightly "off" composition. There is nothing that does not belong. The controlled palette is very soothing.

Whether this is a "best image" or not is irrelevant. Nicely done!

Just to dot the i, I think "visual excitement" (a term I used above) has nothing to do with the "wow" impression that many feel in seeing some images. It is instead a term I use to express what to me is a successful image on both compositional and emotional (that aspect of the aesthetic) grounds, or in showing me something that really is so unusual (or photographed in an unusual creative manner) that it easily grabs my attention. As much as I admire Brian for his fine nature work and some other images in his portfolio, I cannot feel that in this case (as previously explained in regard to what I thought was the potential of this scene), and as others may do, but I agree it is still for me what can be termed a nice photo.