Struck by the shape ...

[Jim A]

..... of this tree. Seemed to be enhanced by the B&W treatment

[pnodrog]

Great example of a Pohutukawa tree. Reminds me of the recently departed summer. Suits the B&W presentation. On my screen it lacks a bit of contrast but my viewing conditions are terrible so I will take another look at it tonight.

[Shadowman]

Nice shot.

[Barbara Ponder]

I love cool trees and this definitely fits that category! Nice Capture!

[Jim A]

Thanks, Paul, John & Barbara.

Paul, I have taken on board what you have said. Initially I was struck by how Japanese it looks (despite being Pohutakawa). Nevertheless I have increased the contrast and experimented with reversing. Which version do you prefer, the original view or reversed please? I wonder whether the reversed one lets one's eyes wander out of the pic, which we do not want, of course !?

[purplehaze]

Hi, Jim. I for one prefer the first orientation, and I find myself wishing for a touch less contrast here. Hard to please, aren't we? Lovely tree. I love the lines and the contrast between the heavy trunks and the lacy leaves.

[Jim A]

Thanks, Janis, very much appreciate the feedback. Love the hat - for the races, or perhaps weddings ?

[pnodrog]

I prefer the second one but only because it now strongly reminds me of a tree very close to batch I used to stay at in Sandy Bay Northland.

Where was it taken?

[Jim A]

Hi Paul, it was taken on the Seabird Coast, like somewhere near Miranda, for want of any other landmark. I would need to do further checking to see which beach it might be, if you are particularly interested?

[pnodrog]

Hi Paul, it was taken on the Seabird Coast, like somewhere near Miranda, for want of any other landmark. I would need to do further checking to see which beach it might be, if you are particularly interested?

No. I was just a bit curious. There are probably hundreds of similar ones around the coast, all equally interesting. I loved climbing in them when I was a kid.

[Wavelength]

Excellent image

[IzzieK]

Both are pretty gnarly and interesting shape, texture and conversion. I kinda like #1 yesterday but now that you have uploaded a second one, I think I am confused as to my preference. Keep it -- you are doing good -- confusing me, I mean. I'll survive.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Jim #1 for me, lovely shot.

[Urbanflyer]

Lovely--# 1 for composition. Eye travels in from the left toward the right (normal for cultures that read left to right, then swoops back around with the curve of the tree. Really nice!

[dem]

#2 for me - both the rendering and the orientation.

In both cases my eye travels from left to right but then in #1 I get trapped under the tree and have to step back to continue viewing. #2 feels more balanced to me as I move from a dark solid tree towards light and open space. Then I can stop, admire the upward curve of the tree and "leave" the image in the direction I was moving.

[bje07]

Hi, Jim. I for one prefer the first orientation, and I find myself wishing for a touch less contrast here. Hard to please, aren't we? Lovely tree. I love the lines and the contrast between the heavy trunks and the lacy leaves.

+1, sharp image.

[Rainforest]

What a beautiful tree and shot Jim. I think #1 is just right :-) It's hard to decide in post processing with trees, there are so many directions you can go. I usually end up with how it made me feel when I was shooting it.