Radical Left . . .

[gahspidy]

I intended this too be in b&w and tried converting it over and over, ( although it does look well in b&w) but I find that i like the color version ( with some subtle slective color editing) best.
what do you think of this as is?
thanks

[Overbeyond]

It looks great and is a very striking image. The light on the tree is lovely. I can imagine the impact it would have in B/W also. Has the selective colouring been done to the grass in the foreground?
Tom

[bubblesxx19]

It's an amazing photo.
I love the way the tree is and the lighting.

[LeeIs]

Very dramatic shot Gary. Where do you find all these great subjects!? It definately is Radical Left. It looks like a hurricane blew it to its side and it's yet to recover. Very well done. I also like the subtlety of the colours.

[Tuna]

Interesting find and, yes, beautifully presented. The low angle perspective helps but the what appears to be late-day light is most influential, in my opinion, for the success of the image.

Tuna

[drg]

Another thought provoking photo. Your titles continue to intrigue me. I personally believe that this one still has a little bit too much color. As usual the composition and elements are very well done.

The power poles and road sign could be distracting, I haven't decided. . .

[Yoyo Szeto]

Hi Gary,
I espeically like the contrast between the dying tree and the green grassland. To me, the tree seems very determined to stay alive despite it is in a very difficult position.
yoyo

[Chunk]

Now there is a tree with character! I really like the warm light which would be lost in a BW conversion. This pine is reminiscent of its Bristlecone cousins in the Sierras out west. You've done well to minimize the background and emphasize the tree and sky with the low camera angle.

[gahspidy]

Tom . . . yes , the grass was touched a bit . Basically, I'm making a copy layer and converting it to b&w in the channels mixer. Then i reduce the opacity of that layer enough to start bringing the color back softly. Then , using the eraser brush, I softly erase parts of the image where I want the colors to appear stronger. Thanks for your thoughts

Taylor . . .I appreciate your comments. Welcome to the forum, and great signature photo.

Liban . . .I also wonder how the tree winds up that way. This is near the ocean and so it must endure strong winds year round. So, your hurricane thoery may not be too far off. I don't get to travel much, and all my pics are from near home, but if you look around you find some interesting things right under your nose. thanks for the feedback.

Tuna . . .thanks, yes the low angle was needed to bring the tree up into the sky and away from bg distractions, but I agree with you that this late afternoon lighting is key to making it more effective.

drg . . .Glad to know your thoughts on this. The original file was so color saturated it almost looked like a cartoon. This is significantly reduced, but perhaps a little more I would experiment with. I'm also not sure about the sign and poles, although I do not like cloning things out unless it is absolutely essential, and in this case it may not be.

Yoyo . . .I enjoy your takes on different pictures as you like to see a deeper story in things. I appreciate your thoughts on this and glad it works for you.

Chunk . . .Yes, character, and you are exactly right about the conversion. It loses the feel of the late afternoon lighting and while it does still work it just feels better in color.

[shutterman]

You know from the other side during a different time of day you would have a "Radical Right..."! Ha ha ha.... depends on who is looking and from what direction

Anyway I like it very much except for the power poles, etc in the background. With a clearer background it would give it more a sense of desolation, desparation and lonliness (the same way the radical left must feel at times - sorry couldn't resist ;)

[gahspidy]

You know from the other side during a different time of day you would have a "Radical Right..."! Ha ha ha.... depends on who is looking and from what direction

Anyway I like it very much except for the power poles, etc in the background. With a clearer background it would give it more a sense of desolation, desparation and lonliness (the same way the radical left must feel at times - sorry couldn't resist ;)

Wes, thanks for your input on this. I am considering the removal of the poles and signs . The more I visualize it , the more effective I think it would be without them.
I don't think the radical left would ever get lonely, at least not in this town. I'm looking for another tree as this so I can get it leaning way to the right. . .maybe will call it NeoCon.
Thanks

[Seb]

I intended this too be in b&w and tried converting it over and over, ( although it does look well in b&w) but I find that i like the color version ( with some subtle slective color editing) best.
what do you think of this as is?
thanks

Hello Gary,

First of all, that's a neat photograph, I am pretty sure that I remember that tree.....
Now, I think that I can imagine that picture in b&w quite easily but I can't say if it would be better than this colour version. I'd prone to think that they would basically works equally well (which is unusual). I like your colour rendition here and the lighting adds a lot.

Seb