Windblasted

The wind always blows hard on Ditchling Beacon - one of the highest

points around me. It was a windy and gloomy day while I was up there

today walking the dogs. This tree is typical of those trying to hang

on and now looks the same even when the air is still!

Simply taken with the Oly FE-140 and no post processing other than

levels and crop. Any thoughts would be appreciated - I'm wondering

if a slight crop off the right might improve it but then it ends up

a bit square...

 

Thanks.

 

Pete

Christina, many thanks for commenting. I agree that a darker sky would make it more striking, but I haven't ever played with photoshop or similar to work out how to darken the background and lighten the tree. Maybe a project for another day!

 

Ditchling Beacon is a lovely place where the weather can be very bleak - great in the winter as it's often the only place around with snow.

 

Cheers again,

 

Pete

I would give that right side crop a go to see how it looks, square is not necessarily bad. I really like the mood of the sky and the tenacity of that tree. The uphill slope adds to the sense of struggle. The grasses blowing in the wind also points to the adversity this guy faces, the one that lost the battle only makes me more fearful for the remaining trees fate. A persistent yet ultimately hopeless struggle.

Ta Gordon - I agree, the image with cropped right hand side looks stronger. What do you reckon on lightening the tree a bit? I've had a bit more of a think about it today while turfing a garden, and I'm not too sure - I quite like the darkness of it.

 

Cheers,

Pete

On my monitor, which I calibrate pretty regularly, the image is a tad dark which I think is totally appropriate for the subject. There is still loads of detail in the shadows and no part of the tree looks blocked up. I'm always fiddling with my shots and have trouble saying "OK enough it's done now". No harm in trying a few tweaks. See how it looks with the brightness up a smidgen and doing likewise for the contrast. It does appear a bit flat and a bit dark but I'm thinking that suites the subject..... only one way to find out.

Like this shot, great angle. Like the bended tree over the stump, nice composition. db

Thank you Gordon and Daniel for your comments. Gordon, I've just spent some time playing about with levels and I keep coming back to this as suiting the subject best. The darkness and flatness appeals to me in a depessing kind of way, and reminds me clearly of what the weather was like on that hill.

Ta,

Pete

HA HA HA HA

 

This is really good. The angle of the hill. The wind. Of course you know, they COULD have gotten a room ;)

 

VERY NICE!!

 

Yes!!

 

See, you don't need two bodies for something very sensual!! I really do see a connection here!