If every leaf on a tree were a word spoken by that tree what would it say? What great address would it give with all those words? Would it be “come here weary traveler and take respite under my shade”? Would it be “Oh man, we nourish each other so in caring for me you take care of yourself”? In fact if you listen to the trees then you will find that each speaks in a different tone, with a different rhythm and with a different cadence as their leaves dance in the breeze. Each gives a different impression to the heart with the various shapes and colors. And even in their demise on the tails of autumn as they fall to the ground the leaves speak to us. And instead of going silent, instead of making no more promises, they reverberate with even louder volume as the last of the words give light to the very structure that supported what they had to say and what they have to offer. No, the words of a tree are timeless and full of promise to those who listen.
Feedback Requests
Any feedback appreciated
Pertinent Technical Details
Location: Yosemite Natl. Park, CA
Time: November 2008
Camera: Shen-Hao 4x5
Lens: Nikon 300mm f/9
Support: Gitzo GT3540XLS, Kirk- BH-1
Film: Fuji Provia 100F
Aperture: f32
Shutter: 2 sec
Development: Normal
Scanned: Microtek 1800f
Processed: in PS.
This is a beautiful, elegantly crafted image. I love the strong diagonal moving across the pale rock face. The autumn leaves, perfectly balanced, give a sense of survival and a promise of a future season.
The limited, restrained colour palette is gorgeous. To me, there is a hint of a Japanese ink painting?
Youssef, this is a special look at late fall. The dark branch winds nicely through the frame. The scattered leaves provide inviting color and it’s all set off well by the subtle rock wall behind. I’ve been looking for late fall scenes like this after reading a blog post from Sarah Marino (here). I don’t know if you seen this post, but this image epitomizes her discussion.
@Preston_Birdwell , yes that is El Capitan in the background. That branch stopped me dead in my tracks. It was the second of only two photos I made that day due to it raining most of the day. This photo was made about the time of sunset but the sky was still overcast. So the lighting was subdued.
As everyone else has said, this is a special image. I especially like how the orange in the leaves echos the similar color in El Cap in the background.
Wow. Congrats on a spectacular image and on the EP! Well deserved. this is Really well framed with great sharpness from to rear. The orange leaves set against the granite of El Cap is sensational. I like this image so much I’m heading to Yosemite tomorrow for 3 days of Fall colors. Great inspiration for me.
Thank you all for the feedback on this photo and for the EP.
It is one of my favorite photos and one of only four that I have hanging in my home. It was the second of two photos made that day and I had planned to go back and photograph this branch in the remaining three seasons, with as close to the same composition, but that branch is gone. I know where I was standing when I made this, but the branch is gone. I am not sure what had happened.
