This image is from a local botanical garden (Brookside Gardens, for those in the DC area) from 2021. I call it Fall Surprise because I visit these gardens very frequently (they’re within walking distance of my home), and this was the first, and so far last, time I’ve seen this tree with such glorious color. While its always fun to go somewhere known for fall colors, its interesting to see you local colors and how much they vary from year to year.
The image has lost of different colors, but I think the golden hues are most intense
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Any comments welcome.
Pertinent Technical Details
Sony A7riv with a Sigma 65 mm f/2 lens at f/8. Basic Lightroom postprocessing
Will: Nirvana for a color junkie and it’s always great to have a subject close to home. I like everything about your comp with the trunks being a nice anchor. My only tiny <1 cent nit is the tiny bits of sky on the upper edges. Some simple AI magic would make them go away nicely. Well seen, captured and presented. >=))>
Hi Will,
Fall surprise indeed; that is some lovely autumn color. My brother and I used to go to the photography sessions in the Wings of Fancy Butterfly House in Brookside Gardens until they closed it down during covid. I am hoping they bring it back one of these years. Sorry to digress. Maybe this will be the year you catch some beautiful color again from this tree. My only suggestion would be a small crop from the bottom and left side to get rid of the brush and that bit of sky peeping through. I think that would focus all the attention on those beautiful autumn colors of those trees. I hope you do not mind, but here is a rework with what I was thinking. Just my opinion of course. Very nicely done.
Thanks all. @Ed_Lowe , I like your crop. I’ve experimented with various crops of this image, and i think yours is a good one. BTW, the butterfly exhibit at Brookside did return this past year. Its, of course, over now, but look for it next spring,
Thanks Will; glad you like the crop as this is a fine image. Also thanks for the heads up about the butterfly house being open again for photographers. I will be sure to book an appointment next year.
Will, this is really sweet. The color and light are near prefect. I also like that you preserved good detail in the tree’s trunk. The crop that @Ed_Lowe did works a treat. This image would make a nice print.
Will, the variety of colors are what make this view special, green, red, gold, yellow, orange,… Losing the bits of sky near the top are a nice improvement.
@Ed_Lowe , I’m headed out to one of your stomping grounds tomorrow: Blackwater Falls. We’re staying over, so I’m also planning to get out to Dolly Sods. Hoping for some nice colors.
Good luck on your trip Will. My brother and I were at Blackwater on Tuesday. The colors were early this year and were a little past peak, but there should be some pockets of color left. I have to get over to Dolly Sods one of these years as it looks like an amazing place.
