The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive
About This Image
I found this tree a couple of years ago while hiking the trail back up from Blackwater Falls. On our last visit to Blackwater Falls SP, WV I knew that I wanted to revisit this wonderful tree and try to show it’s resilience as it staked it’s claim upon what would appear to be a most inhospitable place. I don’t know how many years it has eked out it existence on top of that boulder, but I am amazed nevertheless that it has survived and thrived.
Feedback Requested
Do you feel a sense of wonder as I did? Does the lighter tree in the BG bother you? I darkened it some, but I like it’s inclusion as it breaks up the BG. I lightened the overall scene a little with levels. Did I go far enough? Anything else you notice please feel free to mention it.
Technical Details
Camera: NIKON Z 7
Lens: NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S
Focal length: 22mm
Shutter speed: 1.6s
Aperture: f/11
ISO: 100
Yes, I’m getting an odd reaction to this one. I feel like something is grabbing that rock. The roots look like tentacles of an octopus. I think it’s because they’re shaped as an animal would flex its arms to grab something. I find it hard to not make that connection and just see this as a tree.
Yes, that tree, A1, is too bright and should be burned in. It really draws the eye. It may also be too warm.
Ed, my first reaction is to feel like the tree is about to start walking towards me. This does a fine job of showing how tenacious nature can be. The bright tree in the back didn’t catch my eye at first, but it certainly contrasts with the rest of the view. It’s color is so different that I think you’ll need to do some desaturation/color adjustment as well as burning-in to get it to fit. You’ve also got outstanding details in the rock and moss.
Whenever I notice these in the woods, I stop and marvel at how little seedlings take advantage of any situation they can. I especially like it when one has done this on a stump, the stump decays leaving the younger tree to straddle over nothing. In this case, it is the cling that works and I like the uniformity of the moss on both boulder and roots.
I did notice the other light tree first though, so as Igor advises, I think something needs doing there. Remove or darken. I might also take a look at the very dark trunk on the right and see if it can be massaged so that it doesn’t stand out quite as much. Altogether a terrific look at how forests form and how adaptable trees really are.
Ed: This would certainly make me stop, stare and wonder, “How did this happen ?” I love all the fine little details in the bark, boulder, mosses, etc. I could not resist messing with the aforementioned bright tree and the dark trunk so a quick and dirty play with radial gradients and the burn tool. Back to you. >=))>
Definitely a show stopper, Ed. It always amazes me that roots can find sustenance anyway, and in this case, the work necessary to get around that rock. I saw a similar tree/root at Swallow Falls about 8 years ago, but it was blown over in a storm, the the rock seemed to win in that battle. I agree with the bright trunk issue. To me the gray lichen in the original is a bit distracting, pulling me more to the rock than the tree. It feels less dominant in the suggestions from Bill, but I think even more attention to that area could balance things even further.
There is absolutely a sense of wonder - and amazement captured in this wonderful nature scene. Of course, a very strong nature story being told here, which you of course recognized - and pondered. Reminds me of the scene in Jurassic Park where Dr. Malcolm (the mathmetician, Jeffrey Goldblum) concludes, “Life finds a way…”
I agree with all regarding the brighter, bare tree. I agree that I like it’s presence, but also that it could be toned down quite a bit to make sure the eye spends the time on the main subject.
I really like Bill’s rendition.
Great find Ed and an even better capture of this wondeful nature story.
This is great! Speaks to the resiliency of trees. They really are living creatures. I agree with others about removing the light tree in the background. Personally, I think maybe lightening the tree and rock just a little would give it more definition and texture, perhaps making it easier to distinguish how they intersect.
?” I love all the fine little details in the bark, boulder, mosses, etc. I could not resist messing with the aforementioned bright tree and the dark trunk so a quick and dirty play with radial gradients and the burn tool. Back to you. >=))>
