Bristle Cone Abstract, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is high in the White Mountains in Inyo County in eastern California. The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) trees grow between 9,800 and 11,000 feet (3000-3400 m) above sea level, in xeric alpine conditions, protected within the Inyo National Forest.

We didn㦙 have enough time to do the hike to see the oldest living tree. But we did get to see some very wonderful trees on the shorter hike. I took this one looking up against the sky, the light was very strong so some areas are little over exposed, but I like the way it turned out.

See WS for actual tree and surrounding landscape.

danos, holmertz, macjake, Suppiluliuma, abmdsudi, maria-v1981, janjan1897, mayjayne, mkamionka, adores, maloutim, shevchenko, delpeoples, Kielia, Sonata11, Robert1969, Matthew-Watt, COSTANTINO, ChrisJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

danos (110407) 2012-09-18 9:57

Hello Way,
very nice this abstractive scene from the dead trunk of the tree,with the edges to create an unbelivable and effective artistic photo.I like the B/W format as the excellent quality of the image.

Regards,danos

holmertz (102846) 2012-09-18 10:03

Hello Way,
This is a beautiful and original photo. Without your guidance it wouldn't be immediately easy to understand what this is. It might just possibly have been one of the ever popular reflections in water, flipped upside down. You have composed this very well and I love the greyscale and sharpness.
Kind regards,
Gert

baclama (19214) 2012-09-18 10:03

hi,
an extraordinairy light....
wonderful B&W
congretulations!
vero

bergese (6699) 2012-09-18 10:13

Hello Way
Un travail magnifique.Ces branches qui se tordent, paraissent si fragiles.Un choix du N/B excellent.
Bravo.
Bonne soir嶪
Isa

TopGeo (38220) 2012-09-18 10:30

Hello Way, an incredibly intriguing composition and image this. Highly original in concept and compelling in it's subject matter. Observational photography at it's best and presented powerfully WS. Well done!
Regards
Georgios

SNOOP_Chan (4377) 2012-09-18 11:13

Hello Waylim, nice photo here, i love the angle on the shot. The b/w works perfect with these kind of compositions.
Regards!

macjake (98486) 2012-09-18 11:42

Hi Way
another great photo for you :)
I could see this being on the front or back cover of a novel or something :)
If i took this photo, I doubt I would have transferred it into black and white - but i have to say - it turned out magically, honest.
love the upwards POV, it really makes a dramatic visual effect.
always a joy to view your photos
cheers
craig

Bluejeans (64251) 2012-09-18 11:45

Ola Way ,
Beleza esta tua foto com esta velha 嫫vore seca , o preto e branco foi uma boa escolha deu muito dramatismo , bom ponto de vis緌 , gostei da textura do tronco ,parab幯s!!
Um bara蔞 Gon蓷lo

janjan1897 (2301) 2012-09-18 12:28

Hello Way,
What a graceful, artistic image ! At first glance, I thought this was a surreal painting ! Salvador Dali would have fully appreciated as he could have imagined such a painting. The crisp, curving lines of the tree's trunk and branches create movement, as if the tree was full of life. The quality of the shot is excellent and the lighting and composition superb. Great work !
Best regards
Jean

emilbo (22616) 2012-09-18 12:54

Salut Way,
Il en a pass� des ann嶪s avant que la nature lui donne cette forme. Il est vraiment merveilleux et le N/B lui va parfaitement. Belle pr廥entation, bons d彋ails et beau contraste.
Toutes mes f幨icitations,
Emilius

ACL1978 (7511) 2012-09-18 15:22

Perfect for a black and white treatment, Way. While it's clear in some ways what I'm looking at, you've framed it in a way that lets it transcend to something more sprawling and artistic. Honestly, what helps more than anything else is the light behind the tree itself, which outlines it perfectly, adding a two-dimensional feel, s though it's been tacked to a board. The few orphan branches pushing their way into the scene have a similar effect. Very nicely seen and executed shot.

Andrew

Suppiluliuma (3931) 2012-09-18 22:14

Dear Way,

The chaotic curves and interwined branches present a fascinating wonder of the nature. The choice of b&w accentuates its striking beauty. I personally couldn't see any exposed areas, except -maybe- the tiny bits of the branch above.

Nicely done.

With friendship,

Erdem

abmdsudi (95869) 2012-09-18 22:28

Sabaidee Way
It is a fascinating image in B&W and a very unusual perspective seen from extreme low pov that really catches the eye and without color to distract as we are glued to detail in those intricate branches and the trunk full-framed. Had you not told us what this actually was I feel the whole nature of this 'abstract' would take on a far greater degree of mystery and intrigue. It does have impact and dynamism though. There is a high energy feel coming across from this picture as well. This is mainly due to the myriad of contrasts, smoothness, balance and fluid textures. I am very taken by this piece of inventive artwork. Impressive work Way. Well done TFS :))
Your additional image is equally execllent.
Warm regards

maria-v1981 (10966) 2012-09-19 3:52

Hello Way,
A superb shot with this unusual tree above a shining sky. I think the b/w is a good idea to focus on the tonality and the light. Also the pov is a good choice to emphasise the perspective.
Enjoy the day,
Regards,
Maria

Bartleby (13552) 2012-09-19 11:11

Hi Way,
this is superb. Lovely B&W tones and the POV chosen really brings forward the graphic side of this tree.

Philippe

mkamionka (74637) 2012-09-19 11:49

Hi Way,
I had the pleasure to visit this amazing forest but in the pre-digital times.
I love your composition the B&W works very well here.
The trees are so photogenic and you have done a great use of this one here.
It looks indeed like a work of art and not nature.
Excellent work!!!
M

cornejo (61504) 2012-09-19 12:19

Hi Way, I like this very nice and interesting composition plastic, this tree looks dead. A very interesting and nice picture nicely framed and made with very good technique and quality. Very good and nice job excellently done. Congratulations my friend. Tfs.

Good night and happy week.
Best regards and best wishes.
Angel.

sacavem (18620) 2012-09-20 6:34

Ol� Way,

Wonderful composition B&W. Very nice contrast.The composition and pp overall is superb.
Regards
Filipe

Zuzana_Stefkova (997) 2012-09-21 11:19

Hello Way,
from a distance it really looks like an abstract painting. Perfect composition and beautiful B&W post-processing.
I also like your framings ...
TFS
Zuzana

adores (46979) 2012-09-23 16:27

Hi Way!
Just great!- the pov and the PP! The exposure seems well in b&w and the branches of the old tree are just great!You did a great job in spite of the light conditions that were surely difficult here!
The same tree you're showing in Ws?? It seems much bigger in this one, thanks to the low pov:)!

maloutim (13617) 2012-09-23 20:30

Whaouh! Yes, you are turning your photography into abstract art !
The composition, sharpness, lighting and B&W choice are just perfect !
Thanks for the WS photo which makes us realise abstract art is not so abstract after all !
Have a good week !
Kind regards.
Marie-Louise.

fabbs99 (17179) 2012-09-25 13:29

Hello Way,

Excellent B&W photography.The tree looks unreal although it is real.Excellent composition, good presentation too.A quality image and stunning presentation.Great POV and good composition.Very well done, TFS.

Keep sharing and exchanging views.
Best wishes and warm regards
Farhat

shevchenko (20560) 2012-09-26 2:43

Hi Way,
Creative low angle shot to frame the big trunk, clear to show the veins too, artistic black and white photo, and nice WS photo to show it from another pov, it is look like a big bonsai too, the reddish rock pieces on the slope are unique too, nice nature side to visit, interesting composition and informative note to introduce it, distinct photos, good shoot.
Ally

delpeoples (60342) 2012-09-26 4:26

Ciao Naughty Boyfriend

Wow, this is different for your Gallery and just as sensational. Love the POV looking up into the sky, where you've created such a particular atmosphere and controlled the light superbly. Wow, it's so spooky, it reminds me of something out of Alfred Hitchcock's movies. Fantastic shot.

Hugs
Lisa NG

PS: Sounds like we missed a fantastic Meeting in Venice. Here's hoping one day soon we can all meet in Italy

Kielia (24077) 2012-09-26 8:42

Hello Way,
this was really a unique tree top seen from your POV. Your excellent photo gives me a very good idea of this old tree. Excellent photo work � and as already mentioned by Lisa - you have also captured a fascinating mood. My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

Sonata11 (34119) 2012-09-26 20:50

Hello Way,
An amazingly beautiful shot of this artistic photo.
Magnificent executed image. Awesome!!! I love it.
Thanks for sharing.
All the best,
Barbara

i9l2y1m8a8t3 (4814) 2012-09-28 16:35

Hi Wayne!

Excellent abstract artwork, nice conversion to B&W as well. I just love the patterns that it creates! Excellent sharpness and presentation, as always! TFS!

best regards,
Matt

Robert1969 (7160) 2012-10-03 1:36

Hello Way,

A picture with a great light management and
with a great composition. Your position
makes also the tree higher/bigger and the
picture extra exciting.
I like also the B&W in this picture.
You probably had a blue sky that day?
A blue sky is nice, but for this kind of
pictures is a sky with clouds more beautiful.
You changes the whole situation and makes
the picture in B&W (works also very good with
pictures from city's with a blue sky).
The B&W makes it extra calmness, it makes
it exciting and it makes the picture timeless.

In short: a beautiful picture and a picture
where many people can learn from it.

Friendly regards,
Robert Alderliefste

kiks (12805) 2012-10-18 10:45

You create a artpiece!! Fantactic graffic effect and the B&W is the right choice to get it so strong.
Best regards
KIKs

Angshu (56760) 2012-10-23 1:10

Sabaidie Way
I can only think this in B&W & it works wonderfully! Superb artistic rendition of these trees reaching out towards the sky. A look at the WS would reveal the artistic bend of mind of the photographer to capture this so beautifully...This would make for a fine print, framed on the wall.
Best Regards
Angshu

jemaflor (147300) 2012-11-03 8:48

Hi Way,
A masterpiece ! Great pov very well managed, superb result, contrast and light is perfect, tfs.

Matthew-Watt (5934) 2012-11-03 19:34

Hi Way,

A highly artistic and attractive image.
Your position is perfect, allowing for an imposing angle and strong arrangement of the branches. The tonal range is very impressive, it clearly highlights all the texture the wood has to offer. I really am fond of your framing and title technique. It's very eye catching yet it does not distract from the presentation of the image. Superb.

Matt

pajaran (116065) 2012-12-15 22:58

Pozdrav.
Vrlo interesantano i lepo drvo ...
Lep pogled na suve grane i nebo ...
Dobra ostrina snimka i kontrast.
Dobar tekst i kompozicija, lepo pokazano drvo.
Sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greetings.
Very interesting and beautiful tree ...
A beautiful view of the dry branches and sky ...
Good image sharpness and contrast.
Good text with the given data and the compositions shown nice tree.
All the best.
Paja.

speedymanu (3701) 2012-12-26 15:03

Hello Way,

This is very spectacular, the branches seem to come alive. A work that reminds me of Ansel Adams with a wide tonal palette nd a great low pov that dramatizes that tree. Bravo, bravo,

Emmanuel

COSTANTINO (116674) 2013-02-07 11:51

Hello
beautiful and original photo
let your imagination free to
think,great inspiration
first shot quality
regards
Costantino

Curious_Eye (1320) 2013-03-24 7:37

Hello Way,

Seeing the coloured picture of the tree in the WS, I appreciate your Bristle Cone Abstract even more. I like the harsh light here, together with the stark branches it creates a dramatic effect. Beautiful patterns created by the lines and a very attractive POV. TFS!

With warm regards,
Izabela

tatadalou (7459) 2013-04-23 11:30

Hi Way,
Great spectacular shapes ! This dead tree looks so graphic. Light management and sharpness are perfect.
regards,
Delphine

ChrisJ (171888) 2013-10-12 5:05

Hello Way,

A superb b&w shot of the twisted and contorted bristlecone pine tree and I love the low shooting angle pointing upwards. Nice textural details in the ancient looking wood. Excellent sharpness and tonal range. Have a nice weekend!