Pandani Grove, Mt. Rufus

A scene I found on Mt. Rufus yesterday.

A lovely scene, John. In particular, the three fallen trees combining with the Pandani. One in front, one in the middle and one up the back. The gum trees at right give this additional viewing pleasure.

The only distraction for me, is the partial Pandani at the bottom. But that is just nitpicking, of course... This is definitely the pick of your two latest uploads.

Thanks Pete. I'm thinking of a tighter crop.

 

The picture of Watersmeet looks great in tranny on the light box, but relies on very fine detail, being able to separate each branch and leaf. That all became mush on p.net unfortunately. I've deleted it.

What do you think of this crop?

I like it better with the partial Pandani at the bottom included John - it drags me into the scene more. To me the white sky at the top is probably more of an issue - maybe tilting down slightly would have been worth a try? (thanks for the reminder that there are still places like this!)

at the risk of appearing impolite, i'm going to be honest and say that the scene and the composition lacks any of the grandeur that i've come used to from McLaine. or it could be that i'm totally missing it. good chance for the latter.

I don't mind the crop from the right, turning the eucalypt bark into a solid border for this image, but the complete omission of the Pandani at the bottom has now made it too tight. So, perhaps Richard has made a valid point. It would be nice if others were prepared to share their opinion on this particular element of the composition. I've included my best alternative crop, which includes all of the Pandani at bottom, but closing up the lower left corner in order to make it solid, just like the opposing corner at top right. Some of the sky at the top has also been left out, but it is tricky to avoid making it too tight at the top, now.

No, you're spot on Balaji, it's definitely not grand. I was hoping it would work as a more intimate study of an interesting patch of wilderness in transition, the fallen logs giving way to these magnificent specimens of richea pandanifolia, a rare and unusual plant. I appreciate your feedback immensely.

 

Richard, the sky was a drab and boring grey. I couldn't figure out a way to exclude it from the frame, though I'd have liked to.

 

Pete, your new crop is getting closer to the end result I think, but perhaps I'd take a small slice from the bottom.

I assume you mean where the two logs meet in a V-shape?

Hmm... it's a tricky one Peter. Maybe about 50% off the bottom Pandani fronds, leaving a tiny fringe of grass below the eucalypt base, and leaving that V well separated.

Sorry to interrupt a discussion between locals... but if you are looking something 'grand' as Balaji said and as Peter was looking for his church then why not applying the 'Tasmanian therapy' of Dr Daalder... :o)

Peter/John ... if French people need invitation letter to visit Tasmania... I'm sure now I won't see your island...:o)!!

Hey Jacques, your hurting my neck with all this stretching! Your invitation is still open though.

If you want to see wilderness I'll show you around. If you want churches go with Pete. I don't care for 'em.

 

BTW, when are we going to see some snow and ice? I want mountains!

Hmmm. I'm with Balaji here. I didn't like the Pandini fronds at the bottom. I also thought the crop fitted the shape of the subject (5 Pandini heads) producing an all round conventional looking image. How about making the crop run counter to the subject (a bit like Jacques imagined), making use of a 6 by 12 back. A bit of hip and groove.

Hi, guys. It is a really fine shot, John.I feel Peter's crop is my favorite, although the lower pandannus bothers me, too.This version really invites you in, while Phil's crop-though impressive-shuts the viewer out. I envy you blokes greatly,

my knees won't let me do Cradle anymore, 2000 was

my fourth and last time. Ah well, it was great...

Back to the original...

Just try to imagine standing in front of this scene with a 4x5" view camera and take the three (or four, nearly horizontal) trees into consideration. John must have included all of them for a reason, imo. I have found it most interesting that only Jacques' suggested grand, (but disproportionate) view, still allows us to see the resting point of the tree at the back.

I consulted an independent viewer's opinion tonight and as soon as the original thumbnail came on screen, the reaction was: "That is a beautiful shot!"

With respect to all suggested crops, including my own (thanks for the support, Walter...), I say that the top of this image should stay, so that we can view the resting point of the last tree...

BTW, when are we going to see some snow and ice? I want mountains!

Settle, John! We're nearly into June now...

It won't be long and we'll be able to enjoy the Tasmanian winter landscape once again. Mind you, it is possible to experience all four seasons in one day, down here! :)

Thank you all for your interesting contributions. Pete, my remark to Jacques was in reference to his recent trip to Nepal. He's shown some fabulous portraits, but couldn't he have at least climbed one or two 7000 metre summits for us? I'm not asking for an 8000m one. I think I'm being reasonable here!

Aha, yes well just like churches don't interest you, I really don't look at Jaqcues' portraits (or anyone else's for that matter). So, although they are quite beautiful, I would definitely prefer to see some mountains too! 7000m will do just fine...

Thanks for the beautiful roadside grab above Pete, that's a nice dusting of snow. I believe more is forecast tonight too.

 

Thanks also Phil for showing the letterbox crop. I quite like it.

then what about a 8000 with some dust on top ... by the way I am getting tired of my Wrinkles' portraits... after seeing John Peri's pictures I am thinking to go chasing some pictures for my next galery... "Nipples of the World (NoW)"...because Time is NoW.... what u think about this idea? should I start the chase in Tasmania?!

;o))

Hey, I can see you're totally turned on with your new project idea, Jacques. That's quite a provocative emoticon you have there!

Does that emoticon have something to do with the theme of Nipples of the World, Jacques? Is that what those things are called, emoticons? Gotta love nutty, wacky internet-speak.

 

A very rich image, John. I like how the composition is so nicely framed by the fallen trunks on all sides of the frame. Although the cropping suggestions are fine, I like how its cropped by you. If you look at the diagonal trunks at top and bottom, and how they interplay with the verticals to the left and right, the parallelogram suggested by the four lines makes a very compelling structure on which to hang everything else. There's a very nice sense of depth to it as well. Very good work.

that's a natural progressesion from renouncing sadhus to uhm.. rejuvenating nipples?? (--(o)(o)--)

 

John, all this nipple talk is butchering your page, isn't it?

That's more like it Jacques, thank you. Nipples of Tasmania? May be the wrong time of year to entice them out. It was only 11°C yesterday, winter is nearly here. Wait until spring and perhaps you'll sight a few.

 

Andy, I appreciate your endorsement of the original composition. I agree that the diagonals are an important part of the geometry.

 

Balaji, I'll see if I can find a picture of Tasmania's Mt. Pelion East. It's a mountain that looks like a nipple!

N.o.T. ... why NoT John! ...:o))

And sorry for "polluting" your page!