One of the really fun opportunities of being in the “Pixie Forest” of American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) along the upper stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway as it passes through the Great Craggy Mountains northeast of Asheville is the chance to create images using some alternative camera and/or processing techniques. When Bonnie and I were last there a couple of weeks ago I decided to make some intimate landscapes with the ultimate purpose of using the technique of “negative clarity” as a way to introduce some impressionistic ideas into the image. Having the forest enshrouded in cloud was just icing on the cake.
A focal length of 135mm, heading toward medium telephotoland, narrowed my angle-of-view to focus the view and eliminate excessive sky/fog. An aperture of f/18 provided enough detail (depth-of-field) in the trees, considering my ultimate purpose; and an ISO of 800, given that digital noise was not going to be an issue, allowed for a shutter speed of 1/20th second, fast enough to give some initial detail to the slightly moving grasses.
There are numerous locations in the natural world that are given to multiple creative possibilities. The beech gaps of the Southern Appalachians are high up on that list of locations.
Love the image! Looks very fanciful, seems as if the trees are walking through the forest.
Thank you for sharing. I love the trees and mist. It draws you in.
Don, thank you for introducing new techniques and interpretations. I have looked at this image several times now and can’t quite “get there” with you. I think that says I am simply not resilient enough in my vision to broaden out beyond sharply focused subjects. Focus is such a powerful tool that we all use to strategically lead the eye and highlight our intended “subject.” In this image, my eye is searching frantically for what to zero in on which is frustrating. Again, I think this is my own limitation, my ability to perceive and appreciate being kept within established norms.
So, even though it leaves me bewildered and unfulfilled, my appreciation for your intent is rich. Thank you for exposing us to new ways of seeing, another reason you’re a pro at this stuff. Hopefully off to Shenandoah NP for quick outing this today… Have a great week. Ray
Howdy Don, I love your image of misty trees, the feelings I get are calming and so much into nature. I also love the abstract quality of your image. I hope to be able to capture a fog image like yours some day.
I love this image. For decades I have been driven by the technical process when I took fotos [focus, shutter speed, etc.] with the intent of getting the “best” image my camera was able to produce. More recently I have started “seeing more” in terms of more abstract, not your typical post card image, more unconventional perspectives. I am now looking for the best image “I” can capture with the camera but a tool. It is opening a new very exciting approach to my photography.
Vince
Every week you impress and inspire with your newsletter and images. And this one is over the top. I love the softness of the blur and the muted color. Just spectacular, Don. Keep it up, please.
It looks like a “Pixie Party” going on. If you take a step back and don’t try to focus on the trees, you can see the magic. The negative clarity captures the magic of the dancing trees! Thanks for sharing.
Is it a photograph or is it a painting? Yes, I know the answer, but it’s fun to see how “painterly” this beautiful image became with negative clarity. Post-processing tools have so many options. It’s inspiring to see the beneficial effects of one that I’ve never even considered.
Really like this. A very subtle artistic look.
Good afternoon Everyone. Thank you all very much for joining me for this conversation. What a delightful assortment of comments from a group of very thoughtful commentators. It always amazes me that we don’t see much more creative effort put into this sort of imagery because, simply put, it’s a lot of fun and the results can be quite appealing.
Hi Jo Ann. Thanks for being with me and for your kind words. I love your description. Seeing in the way you are describing allows your imagination to soar and to land with limitless possibilities for capturing wonderful expressions of whimsy. Trees really do walk; I remember the march of the broomsticks from Fantasia. What fun!
Hey Judi. Thank you for your thoughtful observation. I believe it begins with the direction in which the grass seems to be flowing – in toward the trees. From there the trees take you right into the forest, and off we go.
Hey Ray. I’m really glad you chose to come along on this adventure, even it you don’t quite arrive at full appreciation. Your thought/feeling process will continue to open up to each new experience and before long you’ll be right there with Jackson Pollock. Actually I completely agree with you about the power of focus. And we do, indeed, use it exactly as you describe – to lead our viewers where we would wish for them to go. But there are other tools for this as well, contrast for example, and color, too. Notice how the darker trunks in front are divided to create a space through which to reach the trees in the background. The bends of the trunks themselves encourage the eyes to move this way or that. Subtlety is at work here, and that’s part of the fun of it. Shenandoah is a wonderful place to play with these ideas, especially the gnarly old oaks along the ridges. Have a wonderful time!
Howdy Michael. It’s always good to have you with us. I think of places like Trustom Pond as being great locations for this sort of work. I’m delighted that this image evokes calmness for you; I know it does that for me. The whole process of being whimsical encourages a relaxation and a “letting go” that reminds me why being creative, regardless of how I do it, is just plain “fun.” Galilee Harbor is another great location for this sort of play. Hope you’ve had an excellent spring!
Hey Vince. I’m delighted that you would join us. Thanks for your kind words and observations. Your description of your own creative journey is a wonderful reminder for all of us: the journey is all of those things: the keenly technical as well as the joyful ease that comes from letting go and letting be. All of this is a part of the dance that brings us closer and closer to ourselves. I’m looking forward to sharing this with you for it sounds like you have already discovered the path for yourself.
Hi Larry. It’s great to hear from you and to read your thoughtful words. You inspire me with the joy of your desire to create and I will try to aid that journey however I can.
Hey Nancy T. It was so good talking with you last week. We wish you lived much closer. I knew you would see the magic; and taking a step back puts you exactly where you need to be. The Pixies are waiting for you to join them.
Hi Donald. It sounds like you are getting closer to being once more at home in the city. Hope your time in the Southwest was wonderful. I can just imagine all of the places you can go to play with this new idea, and I’m looking forward to see what you create.
Hi Bob. It’s good to hear from you. I hope you’ve been having lots of fun and adventures wherever you’ve been. I very much appreciate your kind comment. Subtlety in art is a good thing – it encourages the eye to slow down a bit to enjoy the walk. We come to realize just how much there is to see where Nature lives.
What a great assortment of thoughts and expressions you have shared with me. The only thing left is to go play with the ideas we have seen.