A Rather Lonesome Tree

[Grumpy Hec]

This is another from my sporadic postings of a trip to Kenya and Zanzibar. This is a tree in the heart of the Masai Mara.

I rather like it but I accept it's a personal taste thing so critique welcome.





cheers

Hec

[alfbranch]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

Hec
I think its a great image.
I would though having just messed with it in PS burn the grass a little either side of the road. Other than that I wish I had taken it.

[benvendetta]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

Well seen Hec.
Good composition, good lead in lines to the tree. Pity about the cloud mass on the RH side, which draws my eye. Maybe a crop and a bit of cloning on this side would remove it but I would also then take a bit off the LH side to better balance the composition.

Needs some wildlife ;-)

[Jetset95]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

I rather like it too - just one comment / critique if I may? I would have walked a bit closer or cropped out the bottom right of the shot, that clump of grass bursting into the road really grabs my attention - I might have tried to get the road coming out of the right side of the shot to invoke more of the golden ratio across the screen, if you know what I mean.

Other than that, v. nice

[Grumpy Hec]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

Wow - super fast comments - thanks all.

I take your points about the clouds on the far right and also the clump of grass on the bottom right being distracting. I'll certainly revisit with that in mind.

Animals - mmmm - whilst I see what you mean my intention was to show the loneliness of this tree. The whole place has great swathes of grass with the occasional tree and it was this which I wanted to convey. In reality there is almost certainly a wealth of wildlife in shot in the grass but you can't see it.

As to walking to a different shooting spot. We were in a safari truck which you are not allowed to leave normally, safety and all that, so sadly that is not an option. This did place a lot of restrictions on composing shots. I would love to do a proper photography tour of the Mara as I believe that is catered for as is time to set up tripods and generally do toggy things. A landscape tour would be a superb alternative to concentrating on the animals.

thanks again

Hec

[alfbranch]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

Hec
There is often a compromise in many shots.
Being eaten by a Lion or trampled by an elephant is worth it for a clump of grass.

[Bikie John]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

I like this a great deal, and at first viewing I felt a very strong impression of an isolated tree in a huge open space, which presumably means that Hec has succeeded in what he was aiming for.

The composition, proportions and processing are just about perfect for the subject, I reckon. But there are a couple of distractions - the dark grass bottom right, and some of the clouds. I would class it as perfectly legit to lighten up the grass, might have a bit of a moral struggle with wiping out the clouds altogether but there might well be other ways of toning down their impact.

Ciao ... John

[Swordfish]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

Aside from the minor quibbles re the grass and clouds, I think that's a very fine shot. I particularly like the overall tone, which seems just right.

I'll have to look out for this tree when I go in September!

Martin

[Imageryone]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

Must admit it caught my attention straight away, and the distractions, to me were part of the whole.
My only quibble is monochrome............... and for me to say that is very unusual indeed . On this occasion, however, the shot could almost have been taken on any coastal road and I just feel it needs those strong African colours to place it in it's real home.

[Phill D]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

It's a very striking image as it is but I'd like to see the colour version too.

[OM USer]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

I too would have liked some colour, but then other than period sepia photographs I am not into monochrome as a rule.

[alfbranch]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

This is what I meant

[tomphotofx]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

Let me say first of all this is a great photo, however there are a couple of things that bug me.

I like what Alf did with the grass as this helps to lead the viewer up the winding road, but a few steps along the way my eyes are drawn to the cloud disappearing out of the frame. This unbalances the composition, so I removed it but doing that it still didn't look right so I moved the tree a little to the left to balance the composition and relit the overall scene.

Tom

[Grumpy Hec]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

First off apologies for not responding to all this activity until now. Available time and all that!

Many, many thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Delighted to have sparked off such interest.

So what do I do next? This is my plan to respond to the ideas put forward by the honourable forum members.

I'll revisit the image to remove the cloud as I agree that is a real distraction. The clump of grass I'm less certain how to tackle but probably lighten to reduce contrast with it's immediate surroundings and hence make it less obvious.

I'll think about moving the tree, along with adjoining cloud, as although my reaction initially was "no way" it does actually work.

I'll also do a colour version as I think it will be an interesting alternative.

Exactly when I'm going to be able to do this I'm unclear but I'll repost as soon as I can.

It is really interesting to see the different takes on an image like this. Many learning points are emerging so that has to be a good thing. It has sparked an idea with me which I'll post in the lounge.

cheers

Hec

[Grumpy Hec]

Re: A Rather Lonesome Tree

I'll have to look out for this tree when I go in September!

Martin

You will love it.

I won't be presumptuous and offer you any tips uninvited but if you do want any thoughts based on my experience happy to share them

cheers

Hec