The spirit of Birch -- impressionistic interpretation of the bold reclaimer of open spaces.

This is not a PS treatment but rather is a study in motion utilizing a

slow shutter and motion blur. This is my attempt to try and strip away

the superfluous detail in the hopes that what remains is the spirit or

essence of the scene. As always, I thank you for any comments as well

as for your time.

Nice work Gordon, I don't normally get drawn to abstract work but this really caught my attention. Love the colours and feel of the scene.

 

Regards

 

Dave

Agree with Dave. SUperb shot that really does grab your eye. FWIW the only thing I would try is improving presentation (i.e. its framing). It deserves more somehow.

Beautiful! Just beautiful!

 

Stefan

Thank you both for your comments. David N. I really should get around to addressing the issue of proper frames but have yet to do so. I'm going to take your comment as impetus to get going on that, thanks.

Thanks for your comment I'm glad you like my photo.

Freaking amazing! I don't know how you do these drive by shots like you do. Did you see my attempt? It's nowhere close to this.

I like this very, very much; however, it strikes me as a pure abstraction, without the spirit of anything in particular.

a very strong image. i see its spirit and i love it. well done

A fine idea that produced a striking image. It's both lovely and intriguing, and I just spent quite some time enjoying it. Regards, Joe

Gordon, I think you really succeeded here.

 

I do feel that you have captured the essence of birches in autumn. You also managed to show the birch as in front of all the rest of the forest behind. That the birch is the vanguard of the reclaiming edge of the forest is clear!

 

I really like the grainy, scratchy texture here. Is that straight from the camera -- caused by points of high-contrast? Or did you work to achieve it afterwards? Either way, it works very, very well.

 

 

Juxtaposed to "The spirit of Pine (drive-by)" is quite a statement -- regards, john

Kelly,

 

I've been honing this technique for a number of years now so do not be discouraged, there is a bit of a science to it so give yourself some time and you will find a voice.

 

Les,

 

I am always pleased to know that I have conveyed something and certainly do not expect that what goes on in my head is going to determine how you end up interpreting the image. I'm just glad you liked the photo.

 

Mary,

 

I always hope for exactly what has happen here with your reaction. We all put a bit of ourselves into each of our photos and it is wonderful when another photographer comes along and sees the world through our eyes for a moment. Thanks for your comment.

 

Joseph,

 

I'm pleased you consider my photo worthy of spending time with. I take that as a high compliment.

 

Ian,

 

The angled lines or streaks are a result of motion and are not generated after the fact. This is pretty much a full frame straight from the camera shot. It was cropped and straightened slightly. I did labour over the adjustments to the RAW file as well as the final tone curve etc. in PS with the intention of accenting various aspects. Part of my point with these drive-by shots is to make my in- camera skills suffice to accomplish the goal, so I generally try not to mess with them after the fact beyond small tweaks.

 

John,

 

You are very astute as usual. I have for some time had plans to create a series representing all of the various species of trees in my area. So far I have only succeeded with this one and as you've noted the pine. I am trying to truly capture the feelings I get from the different trees that surround me and despite having done hundreds of shots I have so far rejected most. Perhaps I've lived in the bush for too long but I do find distinct character attaching itself to different species. These Birch are impish yet bold, weak and short lived yet persistent in their onslaught. The Birch are always the first to step out from the forest and try to fill a clearing. They compete madly with one another growing tightly packed and racing up for the sun. By forest standards this flurry of activity is short lived and soon they are replaced by the gentle giants of the forest, the Oaks and Pines and others, who find a home in the shade and shelter beneath their branches.

Your last comment, Gordon, helped me find the word I was looking for that describes the feeling of this picture: exuberant! The trees are, the colors are, and you are! And it's easy to see why Joe, or anyone with a good eye, would enjoy spending time with this image. I'd hang this on my wall without hesitation... even without a frame ;-) Congrats on a great success with the technique you've honed, as well as successfully visually communicating what you feel about the trees. Regards, David

Thanks for your exuberant response to my photo. I'm honoured that you would consider hanging this on your wall, even sans frame. I am encouraged and cautiously optimistic that this technique is begining to come to fruition and that the consensus appears to indicate that I am able to convey my feelings successfully with this type of approach to photography.

Gordon, thanks for answering my query. I had figured you'd done it in camera. I'm just surprised by the texture to the image. I understand the blur and the motion involved -- it is this texture (like a brushed pastel finish) that I'm surprised by. I love it by the way.

That's not to say it's static and won't continue to evolve, but as far as I'm concerned, with this shot as an example, it's definitely "ready for prime time!"

 

Would it be impolite to ask you for just a rough sketch of how you do this? I think I understand some of the movement, but there's more going on than I can explain. And, of course, I'll entirely understand if you want to keep your hard and long developed method to yourself :-D

 

Regards,

 

David

I love the natural lines that go from right to left no wait that is left to right. They almost looklike feathers that are blowing in the wind as I just look at the on the computer and my head goes back and forth and back and forth. Well you get the idea.

 

The COOLEST thing is that I can actually see this is the wall of someones house. YES! Put this on a canvas print and sell it. People will marval at how beautiful the colors are.

 

I would NOT up the saturation as I think you would mess with the beautiful white ghost like feel of it and the subtle greens and purples.

 

I do love the name and I love the way it almost sings to you as it sits there.

 

It is very soothing (this picture).

 

:)

I can't believe this is a photograph. The lines and colors are quite remarkable!

just beautiful !!!!!!!

Gordon, the title is the most compatible to the photo, your " translation"of the forest to a photograph is amazing,. Looking at it you feel the trees trunks in the FG, their heights. You feel the branches and colors as textures in the BG. as well as the diferent dirctions of them ,and still it is an abstract. The spirit is there, yours as well !

Wonderful image Gordon - this reminds me of ruffled curtains with the sun shining through, which is exactly how the birch trees can appear as a curtain around the woods. Very strong image with beaut autumn colours.

 

I've tried to do a similar thing this evening with coloured pencils (photographing them, not drawing with them) but it ain't this good!

post script - you need to mentally add a one to the rates I have given you for this.

I don't know Pete I never was much good at mathematics :)

 

That's what I get for giving you a 7/7 in the last 14 days.

he he