A Simple Tree

[SpiderBob]

Mike, I agree with you now after looking at my last picture and going back and forth between the two, I don't like my flattop haircut I gave the shrubs, perhaps it's because I saw the natural view, and that one just doesn't make it anymore. I think I've played with this one long enough and learned from it thanks to all of you. It's now time to post another, new picture that is.

[Brownbear]

For the sake of learning (me), I wonder if you can expand on your explanation in terms of contrast and dreamy... the final black and white looks softer and more dreamy to me...

I actually prefer the next to last black-and-white version the best. There is something about the less contrast, the more dreamy look that I'm not bothered by the tall foreground growth. For whatever reason that I can't put my finger on, I also don't see any competition between the horizontal and vertical lines in that version.

[Mike Buckley]

Christina,

The adjectives we use to describe images rarely suffice and I think that is probably at the heart of the difference between your view and my view of the last two black-and-white photos. I understand that the last one might appear softer and more dreamy to you. It doesn't to me because there is a balance between the foreground and subject in the next to last photo that doesn't exist in the last photo; that lack of balance eliminates the dreamy quality for me, but perhaps only for me. As for my determination pertaining to less contrast, I think the last two images have about the same amount of contrast if we consider the entire image, though less contrast than the earlier images.

I probably have not explained my thinking very well and, unfortunately, probably won't be able to improve on the explanation.

[Bobobird]

"A Simple Tree" ???

Did you know that (for me anyway) a single tree shot is the most difficult to get right?

With the final edit and the b/w you have 2 really fine shots in your bag.

Btw, about long grass obstructions - a pair of scissors in the bag should help.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Mike... Looking for and understanding/seeing balance is new to me, and now that you have brought it to my attention I can see it in the photo, and understand why the 2nd to last B&W might be preferable. Thank you.

Christina,

The adjectives we use to describe images rarely suffice and I think that is probably at the heart of the difference between your view and my view of the last two black-and-white photos. I understand that the last one might appear softer and more dreamy to you. It doesn't to me because there is a balance between the foreground and subject in the next to last photo that doesn't exist in the last photo; that lack of balance eliminates the dreamy quality for me, but perhaps only for me. As for my determination pertaining to less contrast, I think the last two images have about the same amount of contrast if we consider the entire image, though less contrast than the earlier images.

I probably have not explained my thinking very well and, unfortunately, probably won't be able to improve on the explanation.

[SpiderBob]

"A Simple Tree" ???

Did you know that (for me anyway) a single tree shot is the most difficult to get right?

With the final edit and the b/w you have 2 really fine shots in your bag.

Btw, about long grass obstructions - a pair of scissors in the bag should help.

I should add those to my bag, it's easier than trying to take it out in PP :0

I should put up the original shot and one could see what I really did