Another Tree Fungus?

[FrankMi]

The best laid plans sometimes still go awry. I wasn’t going to bother taking this shot because there are a lot of similar images of tree fungus posted but this one had a rather unique shape so I thought I’d chance it.

I took the time to carefully set up the tripod and clean the dead leaves, grass, and other debris from on top of the fungus before shooting. When I go home I realized that I had completely missed a bright green leaf in the upper left corner and so I ended up with this:



I thought about it a while and decided to crop out the green leaf but now it is difficult to see the tree that the fungus is growing on:



So, which is better? The full frame where it is obvious that this is a tree branch and perhaps I should darken the green leaf or the cropped version where it is easier to see the dew drops and bugs? Perhaps I should crop it another away?

[ktuli]

Frank,

That is definitely a challenging subject. Any time you get involved with trees, I always feel it is difficult to be able to show the tree yet highlight one particular feature (the fungus in this case).

I personally prefer the second crop - but to be completely honest with you, the first shot looks like it could have been taken of the forest floor (or more specifically, of a swamp).

Don't get me wrong though - I like the shot, and the subject! In fact, I would have been tempted to get in close with a macro lens and see about doing an abstract of those colored layers - to me they look like they could be made to look like a slot canyon out west with those layered colors.

- Bill

[FrankMi]

Frank,

That is definitely a challenging subject. Any time you get involved with trees, I always feel it is difficult to be able to show the tree yet highlight one particular feature (the fungus in this case).

I personally prefer the second crop - but to be completely honest with you, the first shot looks like it could have been taken of the forest floor (or more specifically, of a swamp).

Don't get me wrong though - I like the shot, and the subject! In fact, I would have been tempted to get in close with a macro lens and see about doing an abstract of those colored layers - to me they look like they could be made to look like a slot canyon out west with those layered colors.

- Bill

I like the colors and detail in the second one as well, Bill. Here is another tree trunk with the same fungus. It's easier to determine exactly what we are seeing but it doesn't have the detail that I love to explore as in the second image.

[Kris V]

The best laid plans sometimes still go awry. I wasn’t going to bother taking this shot because there are a lot of similar images of tree fungus posted but this one had a rather unique shape so I thought I’d chance it.

I took the time to carefully set up the tripod and clean the dead leaves, grass, and other debris from on top of the fungus before shooting. When I go home I realized that I had completely missed a bright green leaf in the upper left corner and so I ended up with this:

I like both - but the leaf really doesn't deter from the picture. (There's another one BTW on top towards the right)
I usually don't really bother too much cleaning up small debris around the fungus, just the part that blocks the viewing angle. It's part of nature.
Last years' drought here in Texas didn't provide a lot of opportunities for fungus to grow, but this year I'm tripping over it everywhere.
Here is one that's currently expanding almost daily:



It's growing around the stump of a tree that came down during Hurricane Ike - didn't damage the house, but left a very deep hole in the yard....

PS- what about a thread "Post your fungus"?

[Teton Chuck]

Frnak, Very nice photos. This series helps me think about the purpose of a photograph. The first two have some very nice colors and textures. They are pleasing to the eye and could be seen by many as abstract photos. The third with at least two kinds of funji, some moss, and the texture and color of the dead tree tells a story to me. I suppose the fact that I am a biologist makes me biased toward photos that show what others might see as visual noise. Nature is filled with many objects that are in various stages of working their way through the carbon cycle. They all provide clues about what is happening in the environment (or micro environment). I find it challenging to keep as much "information" in the photo as I can and still have it visually pleasing. I hope some of this makes sense.
I really like the third photo and would be interested to see what you can do with macros of the first funji.

Cheers, Chuck

[FrankMi]

Yes Kris, I'm also seeing fungi that I had never noticed before so you are very likely right about the weather contributing.

I usually don't bother with the 'post yours' threads unless I want to get ideas about shooting specific subjects - then I usually get so discouraged looking at some of the amazing images that I turn my attention to something that I feel I might have a shot at!

Thanks for looking!

[FrankMi]

I really like the third photo and would be interested to see what you can do with macros of the first funji.

Thank you Chuck! I'm not sure what you mean by the first fungi? Are you referring to the third image or the first one? I don't have a macro lens as yet but I do have a set of extension tubes I can play at 'macro' with.

[Kris V]

I usually don't bother with the 'post yours' threads unless I want to get ideas about shooting specific subjects - then I usually get so discouraged looking at some of the amazing images that I turn my attention to something that I feel I might have a shot at!

Thanks for looking!

You gotta be kidding! There's nothing for YOU to be discouraged about!
I on the other hand.... I'm in a total slump on P52. Kinda like writers' block for an author.....

[FrankMi]

That's one of the neateast things about the folks at CiC! Each of us has both something to contribute and something to learn!

[Teton Chuck]

Frank, sorry to not be clear. I was referring to the first image. You had two versions: one with a green leaf and one without.

chuck

[FrankMi]

interested to see what you can do with macros of the first funji.

I can't easily go back and do a reshoot but I though I'd explore what it might look like if I was able to go back with a macro lens. Just for fun using the original image...
























If you click the image to open in Lytebox, you can use the arrow keys to navigate between the images and count the bugs crawling around in 'their' world!

[Teton Chuck]

Frank, the clarity is impressive. The patterns and colors are quite beautiful. Up close tells a very different story.
chuck