Winter Trees

I've photographed these trees in previous years, but the degree of fog and

subsequent processing change, so each is unique. I like this arrangement

because of the sharply defined dark tree on the left backed up by three

less defined and lighter trees to the right. The vignetting is from the lens

at f/1.2. The Canon 85mm f/1.2 probably wasn't intended for an application

like this, but I thought it might be worth trying. Your comments and

suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

Simply stunning! I do have mixed feelings about the vignetting in upper corners, but still a gorgeous picture.

Hi Stephen,

   Beautiful image, one to be framed a hung on the wall.  Take care, Patsy

Hi Stephen,  I like the image too - most artistic.  Your f 1.2 lens sounds like a nice piece of equipment.  Personally, I might consider removing some of the top vignetting.  I think that the impact of the dark tree vs. the other three stands on its own - just my opinion.  Nicely done.  Best to you.  Larry

Hello Stephen:

Always nice to see your work. This is a beautiful image, elegant and powerful as most of your work. There is balance, mood and DOF. The image is truly great, and with all due respect, and only because you ask, I concur that in my personal taste, I would prefer this image without the vignetting, and perhaps do it totally monochromatic, but again, that is only a personal bias, taking nothing away from this most stunning, "quiet" and evoking image. Best regards.

DG

Stephen, 

I really like this composition. I won't repeat what other members said, so... Congratulations, simply.

the fractal shapes of bare trees in winter are a compelling subject. The fog separating the three trees in background works wonderful - they're like a fading echo of the main tree. The small strip of lawn at the bottom works as a sound basis underlining resting quality of trees. I don't mind the vignette - yet, I can imagine the photo would also work fine with a more subtle vignette at the top.

I like the composition very much!  The relationship between the foreground tree and the three background trees has a similitude of a Star Singer with some harmonising backing vocals. It even looks like it is about to courtsey!

The vignetting for me should either be more pronounced and with more even gradation, or perhaps removed altogether, at the moment I feel the corners look just too darkly pronounced.  

A lovely image though and one that I would never tire of photographing either, given the chance!

Best Regards

Alf

First of all, I like the vignetting effect, and some time I  do it in post processing. The image is a nice image, to me, the composition is a little bit to tight. Specially, the top of the tree.  IMHO. I would add more sky to it or would crop the front, main tree at the left and the upper part of it to highlight more, and live full view of  the distant three trees only. IMHO. Then. . .  I would walk closer to the tree, to distort the perspective and get the far back three trees smaller, and the front tree bigger. The effect would be more dramatic and the atmosphere more dynamic, and also, more artistic. If you understand, what I'm  mumbling here. Some of my idea has attached here.

Cheers.

Stephen.  Please watch the two image side by side, and you my noticing the cropped version of your image, the front tree grown bigger. It is an optical illusion, we have to apply, where ever we needed.

Stephen, I have really enjoyed all your images from this "series" without commenting, but this one demands I write! There is something very appealing about the "movement" of the main branches on the subject tree. Alf described the tree as performing a courtsey, and although I don't have quite his level of imagination(!) the trees shape does indeed have something feminine and graceful about it. There is also a clear relationship between the subject tree and her three subordinate friends. it really helps that the other three trees are all less sharp and clearly defined, of a similar type that is less graceful than the main tree, and perfectly spaced. Also, the lack of any other elements helps enhance the dynamic between the trees. The main tree almost seems to be showing off, waving its branches and saying look at me! I use an 85mm 1.8, and though I mainly shoot portraiture with it, I do find it an excellent landscape lens as wee, especially when, like this, the plan is to isolate the subject in a similar way as you would with portraiture. My lens does not vignette anywhere near as much as this one does opened up, but then you have a whole extra stop on me! The vignetting itself? Again Alf has it right, either much more or none at all - at the moment it almost looks like a mistake, adding nothing, for me, to this superb shot. Many thanks.

Oh, forgot to say. Definitely do not like the cropped version posited by Bela as much as the original. The whole "dynamic" is lost. It was mentioned that had you gotten closer and shot with a wider lens then the separation between the subject tree and the others would have been greater, perhaps resulting in an image with a stronger "narrative".

Thanks for your explanation about the f/1.2's effect on vignetting.  I think the vignetting adds a nostalgia feeling to this image.  I also like the fine black border and the tone.  I would leave it all exactly as you have presented it.

I like the 3D effect from the max open lens. Regards.

Thanks to all of you for your thoughtful comments -- they have me thinking about different aspects of this composition.  I've photographed these trees before, and I came back again simply because, as some of you have mentioned, I like the form of the main tree and its relationship to three "subordinate" trees in the background.  I like the idea of using a wider lens while moving closer to get more separation between the foreground and the background.  At the same time, I personally prefer the full tree and all of its branches, but I should have left just a bit more breathing room at the top.  Now, a word about the vignetting.  In the raw, color version, it's hardly noticeable.  It's only when I converted to B&W and then increased the contrast did the vignetting pop out.  That was a new one for me, because I so seldom shoot wide open with a really large aperture.  I kind of like it, but I'm very mindful that many have suggested removing the vignetting.  I think Adobe Camera Raw has a function that removes vignetting during conversion; I'll have to explore that.  As I say, it's very rare for me to get "natural" vignetting; if I want it, I usually have to add it with Nik Silver Efex.  As always, your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.  I have more things to work on with this image, and more things to try next time I visit this spot, so thanks very much for helping me with this.

Beautiful peaceful winter scenery - I like it very much. br Hannu

Beautiful photograph! I really like the wide open shot here and the story it tells of the relationship of the front tree to the other three. I think I would prefer no vignetting in this b/w version, however I think it would look great in a sepia version. Vignetting is a personal taste and I often like to see it but here I think the graphics allow this one to stand on its own as the front tree is so strong and the vignette softens that strength a little. Just my opinion and as I said, it is often just personal taste. Great quality photograph; great work! Thank you for sharing. :)

Hannu, Saad, and Trisha, thanks for your comments.  Trisha, as I mentioned, this vignetting is the result of shooting at f/1.2 and then increasing the contrast in the B&W conversion.  In the original color, the vignetting was hardly noticeable.  I'll convert the raw file again, and hope that the raw converter can remove the vignetting before I do another B&W conversion.  This is one of the few times I've gotten true lens light fall-off as the result of a very wide aperture; I usually shoot stopped down, and if I want vignetting I add it in processing.

Yes, I had read that; I was just sharing my opinion. I like it either way - it is a beautiful and well done photograph of which you should be proud! :)

I like the tranquil mood brought on by the fog, and graceful flow of the branches.  The vignetting does not bother me at all.

Tony, thanks for visiting and for your comment.

There is not much I can add Stephen, other than to say I was attracted to the thumnail immediately. For me, trees seem to take on a 'life of their own', the one in the foreground is beautiful and those in behind are the 'back up singers'!!! I'm one for the warmer months and have never taken many images in the Winter, but awhile back a fella got talking ot me about the wonderful shapes and detail in the branches of trees that you would not otherwise see if it were not for the change of seasons. This image is a 'Testament' to those thoughts. Well done!

Gail, thanks for your comment.  You might like to look at some of the winter images of Chuck Kimmerle [LINK] who does a lot of winter photography in the northern plains.  I would think that would be very challenging, but I think his photographs are absolutely beautiful, despite (or because of?) the starkness.

lovely image.  nice to see that that lens has a graceful character wide open.  i don't think it's just the fog.  best, jamie