Sunnidale Park Detail

Nice job on this scene, Len! Right away,I noticed the diagonal line of greener leaves leading from the bottom right corner into the scene. The two dark trunks near the left and right of the photo frame it nicely. Of particular interest is the leaning birch subtly framed in the center.I've been looking for birches to include in my photos lately. They're so distinct! Whenever I see a scene like this, I ask myself,"now how would Len frame this?" That happened when shooting my recent post of Harris Lake bog.

Later, Greg

Thanks for taking the time to stop by & comment on this older (2002) shoebox find. The birch & the framing maples were indeed part of my consciousness when I took this shot but I must admit the diagonal line of green leaves got past me, at least consciously, until you pointed it out. Maybe there's a sub-routine running in the back of my head that said "Hey, there's the requisite diagonal line". :-) Gotta get out and get some new stuff. Perhaps we can get together sometime. I'd like to go back to Tiny Marsh but not in the -27F weather of our last shoot there together. My Bronica has just recently thawed from that experience & my fingers & toes still tingle when I mention that name. Best, LM.

Even though it is 2002 , the carpet of leaves that leads us into the forest is still valid ( 2002 ;-)) and the nice order of the trees trunks is beautiful and vivid. I like the brighter trunks vs. the darker ones, their different directions ,the light, the beautiful color melange, and the forms that are well accentuated, and probably will be even better observed if printed.Would have been nice ( for me) to walk into....

Thank you for your thoughts. You have an open invitation for a guided tour of this beautiful park anytime you are in the neighbourhood. I will personally guide you. Best time is in the fall, second best is any other time. Best, LM.

Strolling with a square format, you will often see a central composition :-) It is not easy to get a decent woodscape, this is excellent. The beautiful birch is the main object, very well framed as noted above. Yes, and the diagonal is a nice extra here. BTW, I am quite sure that a photographers brain has a subconscious department, heavily busy when you shoot.

Thanks for your insight. Most of my early work was with 6x6 and even today with 35mm or a digital image I'll crop to a square if I think the image warrants it. Sometimes it simply works better. I'm of the opinion that the image should dictate the crop, not the camera. The contrast of white birches against almost anything else makes them an interesting element in any composition. As for the subconscious, it must be at work because I usually just move the camera around until the composition pleases me. Most times I'm not aware of the subtlties of the composition until I see the image on screen or print. Best, LM

Took me sometime to see your generous invitation. I wish I will be able to do it one day.... Tonight I travel closer (Italy), but I appreciate it very much.

Stay on schedule. No need to change your plans. The offer doesn't have a time limit on it. :-) Best, LM.

Anyone else prefer the muted more natural colours produced by Portra

160NC? Or do I stand alone? Your comments\critiques will be

enthusiastically received. Best, LM

It is like Ukrainian Forest!!! Very well done! With respect Valentyn

Just proves that natural beauty is available world wide. Thanks for the most appreciated visit. Best, LM.

Len: It's funny, I didn't think about the color until I read your questions.  What I was looking at was the balance of everything fitting right and how you didn't burn out the birch.  I suppose more color would work, but it's fine as is.  I have a couple of 160vc and nc 120's in my bag.  I have to try to shoot it too see what happens as I usually shoot Velvia.  Nice shot, hope your hands are warm by now. Alan.

As a customary user of Velvia your chances of being disappointed with Portra NC are high but it's really a beautiful film made for accurate skin tones in portraiture and low contrast so as to pick up details in both the black tux worn at weddings and the bright whites of the wedding dress.  It shines in sunlight, somewhat less brightly on dull overcast days.  However, that said, it can always be juiced up a bit in PhotoShop.  Very forgiving on the exposure side too.  I prefer the NC to the VC as I find it more rewarding to add saturation post exposure than to desaturate.  Thanks for taking the time to dig into my portfolio for this older shot.  Best, LM.