A new angle on Fall colors

[bigdave]

The trees of northern Michigan are showing their Fall colors now, and I couldn't resist taking this shot. I wanted the bark to appear in focus, then to gradually blur as the subject stretched into the distance.

Please post any comments or suggestions!

http://photoscenery.dynu.com/HoughtonMI/h000.jpg

[bigdave]

Wow, is my photo really that boring? Next time I'll try to post something more interesting. Any comments are still appreciated!

[slejhamer]

bigdave wrote:
Wow, is my photo really that boring?

Not boring, Dave. Critiques tend to be very few on this forum, so don't take it personally.

Anyway, I see what you were trying to do, and you get points for the attempt. However, I don't sense the "depth" effect as much as I would like. Not sure how you would change that; perhaps by stepping back a bit and shooting at a wider angle? The beauty of digital is that you can try multiple angles of the same shot at no extra cost. Give it a go.

Here's a different perspective (pun intended) of your tree, chopped down to stump level, with just a touch of new growth turning colors from the chill air:

http://members.cox.net/mschlesinger/fallcolorstump.jpg

:)

[bigdave]

I love how the leaves splash those beautiful autumn colors on the plain brown stump. It's comforting to know I can count in new life sprouting in unlikely places. Thanks for the tip Mitch!

[Leighow]

DAVE ** Nice attempt... but in a way, the pot at the end of your rainbow is blurred. So, I found that its gold was not quite a match for its rainbow.

MITCH** Yes, lovely light on the leaves.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I too have struggled with Fall Colors. Just not ready for the range of light.

--- Like who would know that Aperture Priority (Set App to 2.5) limits T to 1/500.

--- Also, I need to take a close look at Shutter Speed Priority. I like 1/250 . But that the darn camera in low light is probably flashing (too fast a shutter speed for the G2's largest "programmed" aperture) and I may be ignoring same.

Here is a low light example, that PS "saved" from extinction!

http://members.rogers.com/hleigh/WATERPOSTS.jpg

[Conk]

All you guys have great photo's. I just don't seem to have an eye for any fall themes right now. I feel pressured too because I know the colours will be gone soon. :(

[eland]

bigdave wrote:
I wanted the bark to appear in focus, then to gradually blur as the subject stretched into the distance.



Hi BigDave
Well the camera gave you what you wanted, with focus diminishing toward the leaves.

The problem for me is that the idea was incorrect.
The tree trunk is a very powerful Lead-in to your picture, but sadly when we arrive at where you are leading us, we are left disappointed.
The target of the Lead-in is out of focus and indistinct.

The focus of attention should be the Fall leaves and not the tree trunk.
Disappointingly the leaves are fuzzy, with poor saturation and with lots of bright sky showing between them and making them look even more faded than they are.

Bright featureless sky will wreck most any photo.

I would suggest that you have another try at Fall colors while they last and put this one down to experience.
Try this one again if you like but make sure the leaves are in focus. (S) And have a blue sky behind, later or earlier in the day.

Better still, oncentrate on the leaves and their beautiful colors. (S)

Take care with the time of day and the direction and nature of the light. (L).
Fall leaves must be made to glow in all their glory.

Try to avoid extraneous items that spoil the impact of your photograph. (R)
Here the sky being bright makes the leaves look faded. The eye always travels to the brightest part
of the scene.
In that respect sadly we are no smarter than moths !

eland

PS. Apologies for the crit being so narrow and skinny.
It's beyond my control.

[Donald]

Dave,

Nice Picture! There really is nothing like a Michigan Fall is there! I missed my Up North trip this year cause my first child was just born but that picture sure remind's me of the UP.

I just recently purchased my first digital camera and have been waiting for a chance to get out and take some nice pictures of the fall colors. I think my son is getting a little sick of me taking his picture every 5 seconds!

Don