birregurra & district - victoria, australia Ghosts of the Past, redgums on the Barwon River flats

Any critiques / comments welcome.

Please click on image for larger view.

Very good perspective and editing. I like these farmlands in Oz where dead gumtrees are seemingly "growing out" of the green meadows like aliens... Especially, when there is a deep blue but cloudy sky in addition (after nightly rainfalls maybe). You captured such a scene perfectly IMO, the editing provides - besides the aesthetic and creative contrasts in shapes and colors - the special eye-catcher. Maybe because not anyone knows these beautiful landscapes, someone rates 4 or 5 only... If I lived there and could spent some time, I would go out and take shots of these landscapes only (for a longer time). ;-) Bw, Volker

This type of rural imagery is definitely my favourite subject matter.

As Volker has already pointed out, combine dead eucalypts with dramatic skies and you have got yourself an eye-catcher!

The contorted shapes of the trees are proof of a tough existence, a stark reminder that weather and climate definitely make a lasting impact on the landscape.

I often think that these tortured timber remnants demand to be recorded, as many of them make way for centre pivot irrigation systems, or are simply turned into (dry standing) firewood. Pity anyone who has the task of trying to split blocks from their twisted wood grain...

Speaking of firewood, there is only one thing that I would (want to) change to this scene, and that involves a chainsaw.

Hope my poor Photoshop 'hatchet job' does this justice, Matthew.

Volker :- many thanks for your comments, I have been delaying photogrpahing these trees for so many years, i have walked past them over a dozen times but the lighting was never right or i was too busy working to notice if the light was just so.

Peter :- yes, your hatchet job improves the composition, I could have isolated two of these trees and made a frame but I always like things in 1's 3's or 5's.......  It's not the perfect photo with the remanant live gum in it but photography is all about compromise so I ended up with this composition..........  (ps your clone job is pretty good for such a small file to work with)

Great shot.

Nice one, Matthew.  I actually like the inclusion of the living tree amongst its dead brethren.  Regards, Margo.