The Redbud trees are blooming very early and then we had a very late snow storm in SE Michigan. This combination has not occurred in anyones memory in this part of the Country. I believe we are on the very northern edge of the natural Redbud range. Needless to say I was excited to have a chance at capturing this event. Hopefully this image does a decent job of showing off the historic conditions. It was actually so snowy that it was more about the snow than the blooming trees. That changed as it warmed and this snow was completely gone by the evening.
Description:
Specific Feedback Requested:
All comments are welcome. Specifically how does the white balance look?
Pertinent technical details or techniques:
f 13, 225mm, ISO 100, 1/4sec
Is this a composite?
No
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Now this is pretty neat, it makes for nice âclash of seasonsâ nature story. I think the composition works fine, and is well balanced. I like the upward diagonal flow to it. Regarding the white balance, I would suggest taking the white snow to a more neutral white, instead of the slightly cool white as presented. Normally I prefer slightly cool snow, but since so little of the redbud color is visible, the cool-ish snow sort of blends into the magenta of the redbud. I think a neutral white would make the redbud color stand out slightly more.
If it were me, I might have gone over and shaken some snow off the redbud to get a bigger splash of color. Did you get some other shots with more color as the snow started to melt off ?
Great job at capturing this unique event. I would second @Ed_McGuirk 's suggestions regarding neutralizing the snow and wondering if you did a shakeoff (that never would have occurred to me, that Ed is a crafty guy!). As is, a very fine presentation.
Thanks @Ed_McGuirk and @Harley_Goldman for your comments and suggestions on the white balance. I do have other shots as conditions changed, but the wind picked up and the bright blue sunny skies were less than ideal. I am working on a few for future posts.
It also did not dawn on me to shake the tree⌠great idea and crafty indeed! I was actually under that same tree for several shots trying not to disturb it!
I think I would crop a little off the bottom and a little off the left. I know those swirls are attractive in the Llc area but I think it pulls you a bit from the tree.
Thanks for the suggestion Igor. I had some doubts about the left side and the bottom and did look at both of those crops before posting. I am going to revisit that again. You are right, I was trying to preserve the swirls but I think it is little stronger overall with the crops you suggested.
Wow, what a catch! I love the contrast between the snow and dark branches. My only suggestion would be to up the saturation on the redbuds to show them off a little more. I agree with Igorâs bottom crop suggestion, but Iâm ok with the left side as is. Well done!
Bill,
Thanks for taking the time to offer your comments. I am looking at Ed and Harleyâs suggestion regarding WB and will also at that impact on saturation of the Redbud color. I do want to get as much realistic color pop from them as possible.
