Naked trees (it's winter here in the UK)

[rob marshall]

These were all shot a few days ago at a local National Trust estate. I love the shape of trees in winter - the skeletal structure always looks so dramatic, even slightly menacing.

C&C welcome, or post your own if you wish.

"In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."

Albert Camus

[jeeperman]

Nice Rob, I like #1 and #3 the most. #3 being a slight favorite, although I wish the second tree was not creeping in. The one tree on it's own has great character seeming to grow towards what must be (guessing) the strongest daily light.

[rob marshall]

Nice Rob, I like #1 and #3 the most. #3 being a slight favorite, although I wish the second tree was not creeping in. The one tree on it's own has great character seeming to grow towards what must be (guessing) the strongest daily light.

Yes, I thought #3 had a good dramatic shape, but I couldn't get an angle that excluded the other tree. It's always the way, isn't it! It was actually quite a dull day, and I had to up the contrast quite a bit in Photoshop.

[jeeperman]

The Angels don't move trees for you either? Still I like the shot. I think I might call apon a PS Angel to remove the small intruding twigs on the edge above the first fence post though.

[rob marshall]

I think I might call apon a PS Angel to remove the small intruding twigs on the edge above the first fence post though.

Ah! well spotted. I normally see things like that.

[Donald]

I love the shape of trees in winter - the skeletal structure always looks so dramatic, even slightly menacing.

I agree, Rob. They're mesmerising and I find that you can stare at them for ages enjoying the shapes and structure. Maybe it's something about us Celts harking back to our pagan roots!

Lovely examples of the craft of illustrating such beauties.

[rob marshall]

I agree, Rob. They're mesmerising and I find that you can stare at them for ages enjoying the shapes and structure.

I always find that shot of Ypres in WW1 very powerful because of the bare trees.

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/63964...Ypres_1917.jpg

[Ollokot]

Very nice Rob,
I too am a lover of trees and the fantastic shapes that they can show.

[Katy Noelle]

C&C welcome, or post your own if you wish.

Seriously?

I've been working on this for almost a month, now. I can't get the Post processing right. I'm not quite sure what I'm doing with these. They're not quite "bare", though, are they?

oops! I just saw that I forgot to take out the power lines.





Maybe this fits the requirement better.

"In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."

Albert Camus

What a gorgeous quote - it's especially encouraging since over a foot of snow has been dumped on us in the last 24 hours. Does summer still exist?

[Donald]

Katy

I think that, for me, the point to consider is not anything to do with PP. It's about the composition in the first place. I don't think the main subject tree is isolated enough from what is behind it. It 'blends' too much into the background. The strength of Rob's is that he's got them very isolated and this adds to the starkness. And, very personally, I think this is a subject matter that needs to be dealt with in B & W, although others, I know, will disagree with me on that.

[Katy Noelle]

Katy

I think that, for me, the point to consider is not anything to do with PP. It's about the composition in the first place. I don't think the main subject tree is isolated enough from what is behind it. It 'blends' too much into the background. The strength of Rob's is that he's got them very isolated and this adds to the starkness. And, very personally, I think this is a subject matter that needs to be dealt with in B & W, although others, I know, will disagree with me on that.

Yes, I thought so, too.

I think that you're right, Donald. I love this tree but I don't know how to get it without something in the background. If I move to the right, I'll get the veg garden in the background - not very aesthetic! Also, I think that there's too much snow on them - taking out a lot of the detail of the branches. Maybe, I should just give up on these photos, then.

B&W! I can see what's wrong with my B&Ws but I can't seem to fix it. Blarg!

Rob, which National Trust Property was this?

[rob marshall]

I think that you're right, Donald. I love this tree but I don't know how to get it without something in the background. If I move to the right, I'll get the veg garden in the background - not very aesthetic! Also, I think that there's too much snow on them - taking out a lot of the detail of the branches. Maybe, I should just give up on these photos, then.

Rob, which National Trust Property was this?

This one http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-dinefwrpark About 30 mins from where I am.

To get the trees isolated you really them to be on top of a hill. This will lift them above any background stuff that you don't want, provided you can get a lit bit lower than the tree. I've found it's not easy to find them. I keep looking as I drive around.

[MiniChris]

On #3, which I like very much, I'd like to see you clone out the background trees and go to a softer grain structure. Even though it is a large and imposing image, there is a softness about it that gets lost. Maybe something closer to #1. I've found the APX 100 a nice light grain for nature shots, but here I am trying to teach the teacher...

[purplehaze]

Oh boy, you've hit on one of my favorite subjects, here. Love your shots, Rob, especially #s 3 and 4. Forgive my ignorance, but what kind of trees are they? Katy - I understand what has been said about isolating the trees, but I have to say, I also love the layering of snow-covered deciduous on conifers as seen in your shots.

I also feel compelled to ask for feedback on my contribution to the Nature Abstracts competition, which I should have submitted for criticism in the first place. Because I feel it would look garish next to yours, I will refrain from re-posting and just send you to the link, here. (It is V69, Shibori Sky.) It was shot through my front window, so I can easily do it over if you think it worthwhile.