Under the Redwood Canopy, a photo from Massachusetts, Northeast

Photographer's Note

It wasn't until I ducked under the sprawling leaves of this redwood that I saw the most unusual tree trunk I have ever seen. The foreground branch just beckoned and drew me closer as if animated.

This is one of the hundreds tree specimens grown at the "Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University that is the oldest public arboretum in North America and one of the world's leading centers for the study of plants." from the Arboretum website.

Does anyone find these camera settings useful?

Camera settings:
Lens: 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 G
Focal Length: 22mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/160 sec - F/4
Exposure Comp.: -1.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Optimize Image: Vivid
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-A

gunbud, rcrick, delic, jean11-3 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

gunbud (34066) 2007-08-20 18:25

Hi Kathy,
This old beauty is seen gnarled details and clear stong color that contasts beautifully with the green background. Love the ferns and other clinging plants.
Regards, Tom

rcrick (346) 2007-08-20 21:25

Hi Kathy, Stunning shot & excellent detail I’m lucky enough to live near some rain forests and spend some time wondering around, and shots like this never cease to amaze me, just beautiful & well framed work…Cheers Rick, P.s yeap the setting are useful..:)

delic (6735) 2007-08-21 0:13

Hi Kathy,
This is quite impressive. I amazed at the detail and tonal range. Even the sky has kept some its blueness. Composition is very good showing us the age and might of this redwood tree. Camera settings are usefel. I'm curious as to why you underexposed by 1.3 stops. Best wishes,
Hakan

crhieatt (5347) 2007-08-21 5:37

Kathy,
Great shot of this giant. It's really not easy to come up with an interesting shot of a single tree - however interesting the tree may look in the flesh - er, "in the bark" I guess! But you've certainly done it here. Brilliant colour and detail just, only just, the right side of over-sharpened!

Regards
Colin

jean11-3 (2799) 2007-08-21 14:32

Hello Kathy,well observed shot of a very interesting and unusual tree trunk.Everything is sharp,very good DoF.
TFS, regards Jean.

jmcl (14535) 2007-08-22 20:50

Hi Kathy,

Very unusual almost mystic subject .. It would be fun to get her in some more mysterious light .. or I wonder what some funky black and white conversion might do.
Nicely seen .. very nice image.

take care,

John

kabel (1930) 2010-09-06 13:53

Hello, Excellent clarity in your photo. I think it serves the overall composition by including the roots at the base with ferns growing on it. It appears your perspective is that of looking up at the tree rather than looking straight at it. Serves to magnify the size of the tree and its grandeur.
Karen