The Joshua Tree

[Canuck935]

No, not the U2 album but the national park. However, we were listening to the album as we drove in. I was thumbing through the album booklet and was inspired to do a monochrome treatment or two. I didn't exactly go monochrome though as I thought this aged look was a better fit. What do you think?

[A.M.D.A.]

First thing which immediately strikes me: Chopped off top of a tree!!! In my opinion this image is hurt because of the missing treetop. If you have the original uncropped one, try a different crop angle. Or another shot with a wider view?

Composition aside, I really like the sepia toning and the vignetting effect. Good depth-effect too, helped by the large foreground objects.

[Frog]

I'm with AMDA. The first thing that struck me was the chopped top and the second was the chopped bottom.
I like the treatment but that chop job kills it for me.

[BenWA]

The chopped tree doesn't bother me in the slightest. In fact, I think I would prefer it as is over a similar shot with the full tree in frame. It somehow pulls things together for me.

[GB1]

C - I really like your shot in many respects. I think the slight dreariness of the shot creates a special mood, and I love the way the tree leans left as it does and the way the center background is brighter than the sides, which creates a feeling like a divine power is there and making the tree bend to his or her will.

But like Alex and Frog, I think that chop off really hurts. It is also the first thing I noticed and is hard to get past. I bet if it wasn't a digital camera that the image would be wider and you would not have done this Gotta step back.

G

[Canuck935]

Thanks all for the comments. I was initially bothered by the cut off tree too, but I came to terms with it and like BenWA I personally prefer it. I wasn't sure if it was something that most people would be comfortable with, and it's proving that it isn't terribly popular. But hey, that's what this forum is for. I may have had another shot of this, but I think I deleted it. I should hang on to my 'rejects' a little longer perhaps. Oh well. Live and learn!

:thumbsup:

[draymorton]

I like the look very much. Very U2ish, indeed. And the chopped tree doesn't bother me at all.