Two Seasons

[Didache]

Hi all

I am working on some competition submissions, for a competition I have won twice before. The theme this year is "Our Changing Environment" but I am anxious to avoid the obvious ecological interpretations as probably 3/4 of the entries will be on that theme. I thought of a picture I took this winter of a snowscape (some of you might remember it). So, I went down this morning, identified the same spot, and layered a spring picture with the winter one.

Does it work, do you think?

Cheers
Mike

[Grandpaw]

I like the idea. Is there any way that the large tree could be green on a portion of the right side? May not work but was just a thought. If there were some ducks or geese in the right half flying away from winter that would really make the point, Jeff

[Themage]

I like the idea too, i think if you would have more of a gradation it would work nice.

[CameraSpeak]

I would like to see the tree in the middle of the photograph. I think that breaking the rule-of-thirds in your case would create a better balance for the shot and create a much stronger photograph.

I love the idea though.

[draymorton]

I would like to see the tree in the middle of the photograph. I think that breaking the rule-of-thirds in your case would create a better balance for the shot and create a much stronger photograph.

I agree, though I still like it as is.

The ducks/geese is an interesting idea and could work if one were really, really careful with the source material and the compositing. It could also result in disastrous Flickr kitsch if mishandled.

Really great idea for an image, Mike. How did you manage to relocate and shoot from the exact same spot?

[Didache]

Thanks guys. While I can see the value of putting the tree in the middle, that option was not open to me because I was contrained by the original snow image which had the tree well to the left. Shame - I may have tried your suggestions had I had a little more room on the left. Similarly, there were no ducks or geese flying past (indeed, they don't really do that in the UK) - in any case, I am not fond of putting things in that were not there.

The gradation point is a fair one. Here is a reworked version, with a little more smoothness in the gradation.

draymorton - I printed off the winter one, and then went to the park area and sort of triangulated the trees until I was pretty sure I was within a few feet of the original shot. It wasn't too hard as I know the area pretty well - I walk my dog there.

Incidentally, it is called Nonsuch Park and was, in the 16th C, Henry VIII's deer park where he went hunting. There are still some ruins of an old pavilion where Henry would have lunch between kills.

Cheers
Mike

[LeeIs]

I like the idea, i think it's a winner. The thing i'm not sure about is the transition itself. I wish the right side was as thick with trees as the winter side is as well. All and all, I really like the concept. I would've never thought that the winter side of anything would be more beautiful but the winter side of this shot is what makes it for me. And that's why i'm thinking it might look better had it been a bit more prominent as in the transition not starting at half point but more towards the right. good luck btw.

[gracie_r]

I really like it. Have you tried going up at an angle? Lower right hand corner winter to the upper left as summer?

[Didache]

Leels & gracie - thank you very much for having a look. I must say that the image is rather nice when printed large - the general spaciousness of it seems to suit a relatively large treatment.

gracie - I did try exactly what you suggest! I don't think it made any real difference, but have opted for the version you see because there is something logical about moving winter -> spring/left -> right.

Cheers
Mike

[readingr]

Mike,

Your the man - got your call and will call you tomorrow

Roger R.

[Overbeyond]

Mike, I think you have got the best out of the two shots you have used. The transition is very good. Perhaps the presence of a person, dog or whatever on either one side or the other might give it a little extra.
A great idea.

[twolfe9586]

I really like this Idea, and how you brought them together. Good shots.

[StormGirl_LP]

This is an awesome concept, and I really like the image. I know this is for a contest coming up, but it would be cool to re-shoot this intentionally next year anyway. Perhaps have a person or group of people in boths scenes or moving from one to the other...I'm picturing the seasonal montauge in the film Knotting Hill.

[tayl0124]

I like the first one best. The second one doesn't give me enough greenery for my tastes. I thinking it being part of the theme it may be a stretch, and may hurt your chances. But trying to not do the same thing as everyone else is a very good idea.

[jetrim]

It seems you've added a bit of soft focus to the second shot which I like immensely, but overall I prefer the seasons splitting the tree in the first shot. I have seen a similar shot in the past on deviantArt.com, it was a panoramic including the 4 seasons, but had some noticeable photoshopped effects in it.

[Didache]

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words. I am sure I will continue to tinker with it a little (I don't have to submit it for another couple of weeks).

jetrim - oh I am certain it isn't a new idea.

It all works out rather well actually - my own club does an annual competition where you have to submit images for half a dozen set topics. One of them for this year is "Renewal" and it strikes me that this photo would work very nicely for that one too. Two birds and all that

Cheers
Mike