Round Tree

[PuckJunkey]

The light is obviously a little harsh but sometimes you just have to shoot when you can. What do you guys think of these compositionally? A case of what I saw being more interesting that what the camera saw? Which orientation do you like better?

[bdbloom]

#2 gives the tree so much more character. It's unfortunate that the right-side branches are cut off. I would have liked to see one with the same amount of space as on the left.

[Todd Patten]

Puck -- I like the one on top (how do we know which is #1 and #2?). I would live to see this one with a little bit of an increase in green to bring out the leaves and tree. The sky is so strong that it may enhance the image.

Of course, with a shot like this I am always curious what B&W will look like.

[Todd Patten]

Maybe something like this.

BTW, if I offend anyone by playing with their images, please let me know.

[PuckJunkey]

Thanks for your comments guys.

I put the tree on the right side of the frame mostly because I wanted to accent the shape of the tree's outline relative to the clouds. I am hesitant to put a tree right in the middle of a frame. Though at sunset / sunrise that might be a cool idea here.

Todd, good suggestion on the color. I could try a B&W too...

[Seb]

The light is obviously a little harsh but sometimes you just have to shoot when you can. What do you guys think of these compositionally? A case of what I saw being more interesting that what the camera saw? Which orientation do you like better?

Hello Puck,

The lighting arguably is less than ideal as you stated yourself but the scene have a lot of character. The clouds formation in the sky is truly interesting and the tree/clouds combination works very well. I agree with bdbloom that the second picture is to most effective out of the two.

To be honnest I don't think that these are images to frame (due to the lighting) but it sure worth to shoot them.

regards

Seb

[PuckJunkey]

Thanks Seb. You are correct about not being frame-worthy. And I knew that before I ever shot it because it was bright sunlight. But I was having a rough go of it this morning so I needed to get out and do something creative / relaxing. That was really the sole purpose for going out there. Hopefully as the summer wears on and the sunsets get earlier and earlier (and the sunrises later and later), I'll get a little golden light in one of my posts.

[Yoyo Szeto]

Hi PJ,
Good to see your photos. I like Shot 2 better. It is more pleasing to look at. It seems that you shot them at noon. Did you shoot the tree at a longer distance? It seems to me the shot is tightly cropped.
All the best.
yoyo

[PuckJunkey]

Thanks Yoyo. I would say I was about 50 or 60 yards from the tree (it was quite large). I'm gathering from all the comments that maybe you guys feel even the horizontal is too tightly cropped on the right side? I.E. it should be centered more in your opinions?

[bobbythebandit]

I agree with all the rest and wonder where you alone ?if you had any body with you it might be interesting to see them sitting at base of tree or in grass, just thinking etc.Just a suggestion.
Bobby

[villenadecorte]

I like the second image with more of the tree.
I think it is a great shot, however it looks as if there is some detail/vibrance lost between the top and bottom image? Or are my eyes playing tricks.
This tree is so perfect looking, it is surreal to me.

Nice!
VD

[Yoyo Szeto]

I.E. it should be centered more in your opinions?

Hi PJ,
I think putting the tree both in the centre and the right are both fine. By the way, what tree is it?
yoyo

[PuckJunkey]

Thanks bobby, ville for your comments. It is a pretty cool looking tree (reminded me of the "Bumbershoot" trees from the Dr. Suess book I read as a kid). I will definitely have to go back there at sunset. The problem is, that part of the trail is furthest away from the park gate, which closes after sunset. I'd have about a 2 mile sprint to get out.

Yoyo: that's a good question. My guess would be an old Sycamore, but I could be way off on that.

[opus]

kinya take a bike?

[gahspidy]

Puckjunkey,
I like the full version of the tree the best. Just wish there was a tiny bit more space on the right. I think this would look great in b&w. btw, it looks like you are leaving these untouched, in their RAW . Alittler levels and curve would bring them up tremendously.

[shesells]

The light is obviously a little harsh but sometimes you just have to shoot when you can. What do you guys think of these compositionally? A case of what I saw being more interesting that what the camera saw? Which orientation do you like better?

Puck, I would like the first one but with the same amount of sky as the 2nd one. It accentuates those wonderful clouds and the extra sky above it just does nothing to enhance the pic. I would go with the 2nd all the way if the tree wasn't messed up with the missing branches.
~ Kit

[PuckJunkey]

More good ideas. Thanks, guys.

Kelly: I am embarrassed to admit it, but I don't even have a bike right now. Probably because I spend all of my available income on nerd gear like G5s and D70 cameras. I do need one though. A bike would help.

Gary: You are correct. I didn't work the curves much on these at all because of the harsh light. I knew I was fighting an uphill battle so I was mostly wondering whether you guys liked the more abstracted version with the clouds, or the "whole tree". I think it's pretty clear the whole tree is the decisive winner.

Kit: a good observation on the composition. Thanks!