Oak Leaves

Simply beautiful! No words, just the sheer pleasure of viewing...

Len.. not to mention the beauty of isolation and the blurred background, I find the subject is very beautifully occupied the middle of the square format you have choose, so you have brilliantly broken the Rule of Thirds. Really really very nice work.

My thoughts exactly!  Couldn't resist this simple subject.  Sometimes simple reigns.  Best, LM

The background treatment was intentional and was as out of focus as I could get with an f5.6 lens @ 200mm.  After viewing the original file I felt a central positioning was the best way to frame it.  Here is the original frame re-sized only in Photoshop. I break many rules, most of them unintentionally.  :-)  Best, LM.

Len, you write "unintentionally" which means 'without thinking', connotes 'accidentally'.

I say it is Intuition - which is the sum total of all past learnings - and therefore can be quite trustworthy.

I don't recall thinking too much about this shot beforehand.  I simply reacted to the subject in front of me & shot.  So your line of thinking is probably correct.  You and Museeb frequently broaden my horizons with your take on things.  Much appreciated,  LM.

Hello Len, I like this image because it looks well balanced and the bg blur is pleasant, as in not distracting. A simple and minimal approach to your subject and it works very well.

Regards,

Holger

Good of you to weigh in here with your views.  I do like a simplistic approach and this one begged for it for all the reasons you gave.  One may or may not agree with the colour balance and brightness changes but that's 'artistic license' and is easily changed to suit individual tastes.  Best, LM.

You caught the essence of the autumn, Len! I like the sharp and well lit dry leaves against the out of focus background with still green color!

Best regards

PDE

Though close to a grab shot I liked this one enough to print it for my album. I enjoy going out to a location with nothing specific in mind, just to see what catches my eye.  I occasionally get a nice surprise.  Thanks for your thoughts.  Best, LM.

Viewing both the original and the final versions proves that a fine image is to be shot fine from the start ,the retouching is just the spices added to the original .

I wasn't displeased with the original file except for the framing which I admit was a bit hurried.  Colour balance preference is an individual taste element.  That's what Photoshop is for, isn't it?  :-)  Since I was a bit chilled when I took this I felt it needed a bit of 'cooling' to reflect that fact though I could easily live with the original. Thanks for your always welcome visit.  Best, LM. 

usually this type of compositions are done diagonally. you have done it like a chandelier . the crop on all sided had to be optimal for this to work, apart from other technicalities. the result is perfection itself. compliments -koushik

I like your analogy to a chandelier.  To correct an initially hasty composition I felt that this crop was necessary for a more balanced, symmetrical image.  Thanks for taking the time to comment & critique.  Best, LM.

You had to be different and grow your tree upside down!  : - ) 

Love the sharpness of the image and the colours, almost tangible against the soft blurry background. 

Whilst I agree with the positioning of the tree (central position was a good call) in the original version the whole image appeared lighter and the oak leaves looked that much more illuminated which I think was preferable. 

Lovely autumnal feel to it though, I like it! 

Compliments & Best Regards 

Alf 

Interesting to get everyone's take on this one.  Yah, sometimes 'working' an image in Photoshop too much is like 'working' pie crust too much.  Comes out worse than one intended.  Minimal adjusting is probably the best technique and I  try to do it that way...........most times.  Perhaps I should have simply cropped the image as it was, leaving the warmer colour balance.  I've portrayed it a bit too much on the cool side. I'll go back to the old drawing board and see what I can come up with.  Have a Merry Christmas and I'll get back to you early in the New Year.  Best, LM.

My first impression is that it is very perspecitve, live some real world in front of me.  Best Regards,

I was fairly close to the leaves, about 10 ft.  The background was 200 or 300 feet beyond.  Thus, at f5.6 & 200mm that background was rendered very soft.  Worked out well I think.  Best, LM.

Beautiful shot. Great colours and very good lighting. Well done.

Thanks for your positive comment.  The soft overcast lighting is a favourite of mine for these nature details.  Best, LM.