Last Breath of Winter

I looked at the last tiny fragments of snow that remained between the

deep gulleys in the rock as sun finally dipped below the horizon,

allowing a more even light. I tiptoed across the crumbling,ankle-

snapping limestone pavement with caution and somehow found a way to

balance the tripod amongst the alien looking terrain. I wanted to retain

that surreal kind of mood, but maybe I have too much?, or too little?

Your thoughts and comments are as always very much appreciated.

Thank You.

Funny that you use the adjective "alien" since that came to my mind even before reading your intro.  It's like a "last tree standing" theme from an apocalyptic movie.  A striking image though and well worth the ankle twisting effort... Mike 

Has everything from composition, perspective, spectacle to wonderful colors! I am about to delete my latest requested critique for and never expose again!

Best regards Alf!

PDE

Wonderful work Alf. I especially like the course texture and dark craggy shadows in the limestone you preserved so well. Beautiful colors in the sky as well. I'm amazed a tree can grow there at all. Well done Alf.......

Fred

Nine lines which give a very good perspect effect and railway effect.  Nice composition.  Best regards,

Another outstanding entry, Alf. The textures makes this a real winner. I believe this could also be a fine B&W!

Excellent perspective, although the purists may cast doubts about having the main point of interest in the centre of the frame. I think it works very well here with the radial lines of the limestone guiding the eye to the lone tree. Great colours and atmosphere. Another cracker Alf.

Regards.......John

awesome composition. compliments -koushik

Beautiful,original and creative. ALfredo

A beautiful looking composition Alf...we expect no less from you!

Alf, really beautiful place worth to see especially at sunset time, its unbelievable tree in the middle of rocks , i saw that place only on pics but i d love to go , see and make some images of it as well. well done! regards

The texture and character of the rocks that lead to the tree is something else that make me stare at this picture longer and admire it for some more. Very beautiful and the sky colors make it all the more.

Congratulations, Alf for a wonderful landscape. Regards.

Lester 

Hi Alf, I don't get a surreal feel from this photograph.

The lines and the textures pointing towards the tree make that a powerful subject and point of interest. There is a bleakness to this landscape that give me a feeling of desolation.

Once again I find the compositional elements to be excellent in this photograph as well as the colors, textures and lines. For me a powerful feeling of desolation makes this image interesting to look at.

As always Alf a quite interesting image. I would like to see this b&w with maybe a high contrast red filter.

 

 

Really beautiful work with impressive lighting and details. Alf!

 

Alf,

  Wonderful image with great composition, colors & details.  Thanks for sharing.  Take care, Patsy

A very evocative image, thanks for sharing it. Like the yellow in the sky. Outstanding. Regards, erik

Alf, I think you retained enough of the alien-like environment, without going too far. The limestone certainly creates a great pattern/texture leading up to the sole tree. The sky also enhances the feel of it nicely. 

I could not have said it any better than Lester: "The texture and character of the rocks that lead to the tree is something else that make me stare at this picture longer and admire it for some more (time)".  I get a sense of Deja Vu with this scene but my memory is not as good as it used to be. I have to be honest that I was on auto-pilot and had an immediate reaction that the tree should be off center but when the old gray matter kicked in,  the lines formed by the crevasses lead me directly to the tree. In conclusion, it is a superb image that has been captured very well.  All the very best,

Excellent.  As a matter of personal preference, I would prefer the tree to be away from the center and towards the left.

Very well balance composition, I like the texture of the rocks and the vertical lines lead me to look towards the tree and the horizon. That tree on its own is very powerfull. Nice contrasts between colours.

Best Regards

 

Alf,

Wonderful rocks, very unusual to me.  Great even lighting as well.  Yes, the lines lead to the lone tree.  And the tree adds such an important element to the composition. 

I think you've created a stunning image with great impact!

Using the lay of the limestone ridges to create those strong lead-in lines draws the eye irreristably towards the tree.  Speaking of which, the tree lends mood to the image in it's stark leafless solitude.

Great shot!

Regards,

Mike

Oh,my, Alf! I am the last one to comment? I agree with everybody and will stick to my old song - your pictures deserve more exposure. For me it is something to learn from. You know, I went to Whitby (Canadian) with you on my mind - to take pictures of some views for you. Oh, I am not sure I want you to see it - I have to read more tips on landscape shooting :) And re-do it . My best regards,Tamara

Humble Apologies to all for my very late replys. I was away in France for a few days and have just returned to this tremendous response.

MIKE

No coincidence that my name spells out the initials for Alien Life Form : - ) These rock formations commonly known as "Limestone Pavements" are quite prevalent in North Yorkshire and occaisionally a small stunted tree will take root and survive, its the first time I've seen one thrive like this though. Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback Mike.

Best Regards

Alf

PIERRE

I am sure you will be exosing again very soon : - ) Sincere thanks for your most generous and encouraging comments!

Best Regards

Alf

FRED

These trees never cease to amaze me, most of them are stunted and tiny, but this one has not only survived but seermingly thrived in this hostile barren environment. Many Thanks for your positive feedback Fred, very much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

WANGHAN

Many Thanks for your feedback, very much appreciated! The leading lines are indeed key to the composition, I have also different versions with a more central composition which allows a greater sense of the dynamics. But as I have already tried that with the lighthouse image I thought a slightly offset compositon would be a change.

Best Regards

Alf

LEO

Thank you so much for your interest and thoughtful feedback, much appreciated. I think a B & W is a good idea, it did cross my mind also, but as yet I haven't had a chance to experiment.

Best Regards

Alf

JOHN

I know exactly what you mean John, I do have several versions of this, some slightly offset as seen here, some completely central and some that obey the rule of thirds to the letter, I suppose upon reflection I should have posted all three and asked for a comparison. Many Thanks for your supportive comments and positive feedback!

Cheers !

 

Alf

 

KOUSHIK

Sincere thanks for your interest and positive feedback!

Best Wishes

Alf

 

ALFREDO

Many Thanks for your interest and kind comments, I'm not sure that its original, I wish I was the first to think of photographing these lone trees, but I'm very flattered!

Best Regards

Alf

KEITH

See this is the trouble Keith, trying to keep up to, or even exceed the standards you have made for yourself, which I'm sure you will know from personal experience, it just gets harder! My sincere thanks!

Alf

SLAVOMIR

Any time you are in the UK, I will take you to this place, winter is the best time, as it allows that stark tree to really stand out. Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback!

Best Regards

Alf

LESTER

I know what you mean, the rocks are fascinating, they are a nightmare to walk on, but great to look at. I took several shots while the sun was above the horizon, but the rocks looked even better when the sun finally dissapeared.  I'm really pleased you shared the same fascination and thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback.

Best Regards

Alf

JOE

Well I suppose the feeling of desolation that you refer too, could be interpreted as surreal, but I'm glad to get your own personal take on the shot. This area has the same kind of bleak terrain that epic "Wuthering Heights"  was set. I agree with your thoughts regarding  B & W, I was quite generous with the colour saturation for this, a more frugal approach would allow a different mood I think. The high contrast red filter is a great idea and is worthy of some experimentation.

 

SIncere Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

RUUD

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback!

Best Regards

Alf

PATSY

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments and positive feedback, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

ERIK

I'm really pleased you liked it Erik, the colour was perhaps a bit more saturated than I would normally process, but such was the bleakness of the area, I thought a bit of colour would help balance it.

Many Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

TONY F

Many Thanks Tony, thats exactly what I was aiming for, a slightly surreal scene. Something that you might dream about, something a tiny bit larger than life that exists at the edge of our minds.

Best Regards

Alf

TONY H

Many Thanks for your thoughtful comments and feedback, much appreciated. I have several version of this, this partcular one is very slightly off centre, I also have versions completely central and ones that obey the "rule of thirds" to the letter. In actual fact I think the version that works best is the completely central version, but I hesitated about posting that as it had exactly the same characteristics as the lighthouse image "LATER" On reflection maybe I should have posted all three versions and asked for comparative feedback.

Cheers Tony!

Alf

JOCELYN

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated! Please read the comments about as replied to Tony Hadley regarding composition.

Best Regards

Alf

FRANCESCO

Many Thanks for your thoughtful feedback and positive comments! I think the textures of the rocks are one of the elements I like the best too.

Best Regards

Alf

PHIL

These rock formations are commonly known as "Limestone Pavements" they can be very unusual and alien looking. They are the result of erosion by water and ice over centuries. I'm really pleased you like this and thank you sincerely for your thoughts and feedback!

Best Regards

Alf

MIKE

Thank you so much, you have summarised everything I was aiming to achieve in your comments, and its very gratifying to read!

Best Regards

Alf

TAMARA

I can't wait to see your landscapes, you are such a modest person, I'm willing to bet they are going to be amazing, if you haven't posted any, please email a few samples? Thank you so much for your most encouraging comments and support.

Best Regards

Alf

 

 

 

Hi Alf. Stunning detail, composition and colours! wow, wow, wow! This shot looks very precarious! Wonderful work. Best wishes. Sarah.