Whipsnade tree cathedral

[shirley]

I gave this an HDR treatment



and then used the palette knife filter



Any thoughts?

[emirpprime]

Re: Whipsnade tree cathedral

It looks very nice Shirley. I think for presentation, web or otherwise, it would really be lifted by adding a white matt/border. For the sake of composition I think I would have included just a little more on the right hand side, but then I don't know what was out of shot. Nice vertical crop though, focussing on the trunks and flowers.
All the best,
Phil

[Guest]

Re: Whipsnade tree cathedral

Nice treatment, but I feel it needs a couple of young ladies in 19'th century costume having a picnic in the foreground. You have very ably recreated the 'feel' of that sort of picture.

Of course, this sort of treatment flies in the face of the current photographic ethos. You have actually reduced both detail and clarity in order to produce the image you want; and the picture is much the better for it in my opinion. What you have emphasised are the pattern of the leaves and the strength of the yellow flowers in the field.

It is a troubling area, if you had tried for a similar result using long exposure (and a fortuitous breeze) then it would universally acceptable; similarly if the image had been generated purely through hdr/tone mapping then it would be 'respectable' within current thinking.

Sorry - I'm exploring a current pre-occupation, when I should be commenting on your image, but it is an area I am fascinated in and exploring in some of my posted images.

So yes, I like the image and it seems to be an effectively applied technique. My only criticism is that I really want something more in the foreground.

Keep at it

Nick

[shirley]

Re: Whipsnade tree cathedral

Hi Nick and Phil,
Thanks to both of you for the suggestions. I put this up because I wasnt sure what to make of it, at one level I liked the colour and feel of the picture but I thought it lacked something, I love your idea of a 19th century picnic maybe I will have to see if I can create something along those lines - probably be a 20th century one though!
I dont mind you opening up the debate at all Nick, I enjoy a bit of philosophical thought every now and then, it keeps the grey matter going as well as stimulating the creative juices.
On the whole I dont think I have come across too much conflict in this area, but then I probably havent been around long enough or submitting enough of the right sort of pictures. My mentor from RPS who helped me with my 'L' always says he doesnt mind how an image is created, its the final result that matters, I think that is quite a refreshing view and he certainly has encouraged me to 'think outside the box' in my photography. Of course the next question would be 'when does a photograph cease to become a photograph?' and I must admit I have seen some pictures which appear to have little or no photographic content and yet I have been told they started as photographs....mmm one for another day maybe.

[Malcolm Cousins]

Re: Whipsnade tree cathedral

Hi Shirley. Your mentor from the RPS. Was it John Long.?. he gave me some good advice on mine .

[shirley]

Re: Whipsnade tree cathedral

Hi Shirley. Your mentor from the RPS. Was it John Long.?. he gave me some good advice on mine .

Hi Malcolm,
No my mentor was Richard Walton, although I did get some helpful comments from John in the early days and I did meet him at my 'L' assessment.
Shirley

[shirley]

Re: Whipsnade tree cathedral

Another taken at the same spot. No HDR or watercolour treatments.