Torrance Barrens Oaks

Excellent composition; The twisted tree lead the eye in this scene. Veru effective in B&W.

Paula, Thank you for your views. Much appreciated. To me, these stunted hardwoods nicely filled the beautiful blue but otherwise boring sky area. When converted to B&W it is my preferred version. Best, LM.

I really enjoy these, Len. In the Carolinas, espeically South Carolina, there is a band of sandy soil (the "Sand Hills") that runs through the center of the state:

 

http://www.uga.edu/srel/sandhills.htm

 

In certain sections of that sandy belt there are stands of huge pines, but in other areas there are oak barrens that look a lot like this, or both side by side. I now find such country intriguing, although I once found it boring. There are also interesting flowering plants that grow very low on the ground in this region, and I have not seen some of these anywhere else.

 

--Lannie

Great BW Len! Ansell would be impressed! That's a great twisted oak. It seems to be pointing out over the lake. I studied the whites and blacks closely and you've nicely balanced the contrasts with some pure white specular highlights and just enough blacks to give it that oompf that Ansell's photos have. Even in the BW it is apparent how beautiful (albeit cold) that day was! Excellent work!

Len, my vote is as well for the B/W conversion. I like the touch of the curved tree on both trees on the right and left, like trees " fraternity", really beautiful.The empty sky enhances that touch.I like the sight of layers from FG till the sky. I was not sure about the tree on the left, but trying to crop it, I have found that it is needed for a better ballance of composition...

The half tree @the left border is indeed ok. A very nice motif, well composed and exposed, best in B&W, right. The twisted tree makes a nice diagonal and leads the eyes. The background scenery interacts a bit with the foreground, it would be interesting to see how it looks with less DOF.

Pnina, Thanks for your valued opinions. Yeh, even when composing I couldn't get rid of the tree on the left so I made it a part of the composition. Argueably, I could have included even more of it but thought the minimal approach best at the time. Best, LM.

Carsten, thanks for your (much appreciated) vote of confidence. Playing with DOF on these scenics is really tricky. I didn't play with it here but on another, one of a yellow coloured pine sappling, I tried it but preferred the sharper overall version. Didn't like the soft background. Will post my favourite soon. Best, LM.

I came across this scene on a recent trip to the Torrance Barrens.

Thought it worth investing a frame. Your comments\critiques will be

gratefully received. Best, LM.

I love this tree - it looks almost zen-oriental - I would be tempted to try to isolate it and the rock with a black background (not that I have a clue how to do that!)I am a colour fan but this makes an excellent b/w too.

Jan, It was the distorted shape that initially drew my attention. I suppose I could have shot this close to wide open to soften the background in an attempt to isolate the trees and I will keep that in mind for the next trip. I was already using a polarizing filter adjusted to the max to darken the sky as much as possible. I love colour too but just thought the B&W version with it's emphasis on shapes, tones, & textures did a better job .... for me. Happy to see you like both. Best, LM.

Len: It is only out of my love for bonsai trees that I thought I would try to clone out the other trees. I love your photo in color and BW as it is but thought I would try a rough-draft just for fun.

Rebekah, Your cloning skills have certainly changed this composition (in a positive way). My solution included the use of a chain saw but the Parks Department frowns on this option. :-) Many thanks for going the extra mile on this one. Best, LM.