SUNRISE OVER MARYE’S HEIGHTS, a photo from Virginia, South

Photographer's Note

SUNRISE OVER MARYE’S HEIGHTS

This old oak tree on a hilltop in Fredericksburg, Virginia, seen here in silhouette, was around 240 years old when George Washington lived in the city; and it was 360 years old when it witnessed the Civil War — the war between the troops of the Northern (Union) Army and the Southern (Confederate) Army between 1861-1865. Indeed, on May 2nd of 1863 during the Battle of Fredericksburg, the famous war photographer Matthew Brady produced a group portrait of Union soldiers resting with their backs against the tree trunk, their rifles arranged in a tripod formation nearby. With the pioneer photographic technology extant at the time, the subjects had to remain still for the interminably long exposure. Hundreds of photographic plates exist from the battle, but none show the action. The Library of Congress and the National Archives of the United States make available approximately 1,000 photos from the American Civil War.

I shot the photograph (of the now 500-year old tree) at 7:30 am on March 14, 2008, just as the sun was rising, and I was off to teach my 8:00 am class. (The date is appropriate, since I have been teaching Relativity, and that was Einstein's Birthday.)

The photograph is meant to serve as a counterpoint to the image, the Brompton Oak that I had submitted exactly a year ago. To the surprise of no photographer nor of any painter, light is the most important single ingredient in producing an effective photograph. Then come the quality of the technology and the technical prowess of the photographer/artist. Incidentally, the dark blotch in the top right is due to an evergreen tree, and streak of light about 1/8 from the bottom is the reflection from a brick walkway. The daylight shot "the Brompton Oak" reveal the existence of the walkway.

Nikon D200, 18-70 mm Nikkor Lens; No filter; ISO 200; Tone: Normal; Sharpness Med. H; Color, Hue: Mode 3.0; Saturation: Enhanced; Metering: Center; Shutter Speed 1/300 sec; f/7.1; Exposure -1.0; Tripod: Yes

I would like to wish my friends a HAPPY EASTER!

Bulent

Valerka, isabela_sor, snunney, feather, Wandering_Dan, evanrizo, ahaberal, dareco, ALIRIZA, Matthew-Watt, Dyerco, azaf1, dorte_s_t, jhm, mursaloglu, lucasgalodoido, meltemi, stego, Nic-n-Jen_Inc, Henryk_Bilor, bostankorkulugu, kdialyna, danos, Tue, zeca, AiresSantos, tober, avene, windosil, gunbud, Budapestman, ChrisJ, zmey, Chris3, adores, riclopes, Cricri, ahmetgedikli, AROBN54, paololg, Didi, amazon has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Valerka (8171) 2008-03-23 7:42

Hello, Batalay,
As usual, a very nice shot.
As I'm a tree-lover,I tremendously enjoy this shot.
The tree branches stand out well against this dramatic beautiful sunsrising light.
Very beautiful, indeed.
TFS
Valerka:)

jonathan_hart (21268) 2008-03-23 7:45

great tree silhouette, the BG colours are attractive, well done composition
happy easter & best regards
jo

isabela_sor (47263) 2008-03-23 7:46 [Comment]

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snunney (67172) 2008-03-23 7:55

Hello Bulent,
Perfect light conditions for this fine composition. The silhouetted branches look beautiful against the dawn sky with its blend of gold and blue tones. A very interesting commentary to accompany the picture.

izmirli (3864) 2008-03-23 8:04

sevgili bülent bey selamlar
harika renkler ve süper bir silüet çalışması.tebrikler.
türkiyeden selamlar
gürkan akçakır.

feather (51128) 2008-03-23 8:16

This mighty oak makes a wonderful strong silhouette agaist the stunning sunrise colours. The clouds in the sky add another element to a successful image. Good work. If only the tree could talk.;D
Kath

prashant29 (114) 2008-03-23 8:24

Hello Bulent !
I admire your thought to capture this tree with 'sun-rise' behind. This gives a new meaning of life to this such an old tree. Great thought and catured beautifully !!
Not sure but I believe, the dark portion on right corner (up) is adding 'little more' dark on everall composition.
rgds/Prashant

ag1993 (634) 2008-03-23 8:36

Hello,
Superb shot. Great colours and effects. The framing is good as well.

Wandering_Dan (3449) 2008-03-23 9:01

Hello, Bulent -

Nice capture of sunrise colors through the tree. I'm not so sure about the foliage in the upper right, though; it looks too dense compared to the rest of the picture.

Great note, too!

Best,
Dan

mesutilgim (67856) 2008-03-23 9:29

Selam sevgili Bülent,
Great sunrise scene, very well captured. Amazing light control and nice warm colors.
The old oak tree will get most probably a model for one o my next aquarelles !!
TFS and best regards
from the beautiful city at Bosphorus.
MESUT ILGIM

jasmis (57596) 2008-03-23 10:18

Interesting colours. Fine sunrise behind the brenches. Impressive one.
Regards and Happy Easter.

r021251 (3917) 2008-03-23 11:07

Belle composition , Image forte et le contr jour est de toute beauté.
Super gret shot my friend i like this post
Réal.

vincz (19099) 2008-03-23 11:09

Majestic tree, really amazing. You shot has really a fantastic dimension with this giant in the foreground drawing in the so beautifully coloured sky.

evanrizo (456) 2008-03-23 11:12

Hello Bulent, the big tree, the figure of it gives a great impression with the others behind to it, especial the nice light and colors as background help it very much.
Regards.
Evangelos

Morac (27419) 2008-03-23 11:23

Hello Batalay,
Great tree silhouette, tell done composition and nice capture of sunrise colors through the tree.
Regards

Marc

ahaberal (6469) 2008-03-23 12:04 [Comment]

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dareco (17134) 2008-03-23 13:48

A very beautiful picture! I love the colors and the tree is gorgeous! Fantastic! TFS

ALIRIZA (16419) 2008-03-23 14:38

Merhaba Bülent Abi,
Enfes bir gündoğumu. Özellikle bulutlu gökyüzünün renk geçişleri çok etkileyici. Ellerinize sağlık...
Selam ve saygılarımla...
Ali Rıza

Matthew-Watt (6035) 2008-03-23 16:16

Hello Bulent,

I find the anomalies in this photo difficult to explain. I should mention that I find your subject and setting very special and beautiful to look at, the lighting is good and the composition is excellent, but there are two main things that I can not explain in this photo. The first is that dark black object that fills the top right corner. At first I guessed this to be some dense foliage, but it seems to be the result of a black fill tool upon closer inspection. The second thing that I find a little unusual is that there is a lighter coloured strip along the base of the photo occupying about 1/8 of the photo. I considered this just to be illuminated ground at first but I see that it actually runs over the trunk making it distinctively two-toned. I do not mean to detract from this excellent photo at all, but I do wonder what the reason behind these occurrences is - perhaps a light metering malfunction within the camera, or a glitch in post processing? Thanks for sharing Bulent, and also for the substantial note!

Matt

Dyerco (10185) 2008-03-23 22:03

A nice shot of the old tree without any leaves yet. It makes for a great silhouette. It's a pleasure to hear that such interesting history is associated with it.
Phil

Chris3 (511) 2008-03-24 1:25

Hi Mr. Bulent,
Amazing photograph with nice colours and the silhouette of the tree looking very nice.The frame is also very good.
Regards,
Christos

TGULUMSER (13252) 2008-03-24 2:03

Hello Bulent Bey,
View behind the trees is magnificant with wild colors,
Congratulations and best regards,
Tulay

azaf1 (15929) 2008-03-24 2:05

Good morning Bulent
The bare branches create a beautiful impression on the background of this wonderful sky
Compliments
Argiris

emka (57992) 2008-03-24 3:10

Hello Batalay,

Impressive view and the note, everything carefully prepared. Fantastic old tree which witnessed so much. Wonderful colours of sunrice in Einstein's birthday. Superb image.

Happy Easter (what is left). We have White Easter this year in Poland.

Warm regards

Malgorzata

dorte_s_t (2287) 2008-03-24 3:32

Hi Bulent .
What a beautiful morning that was! A perfect way to start the day - enjoying the rising sun and gorgeous colours !
Kindest regards
Dorte.

jhm (122314) 2008-03-24 4:22

Hello Bulent,

This is very specially photograph through the excellent contrast between the dark branches and the lovely red sky in background.
During the sunrise period can you make the most beautiful pictures, very well done as usual.
Very well done, thanks for sharing.

Best regards,
John.

skippy007 (12500) 2008-03-24 4:31

Hello Bulent,
This is my first visit to your gallery and could not leave without making at least one comment on your beautiful and interesting work. I like this shot it has all the necessary ingredients for a splendid sunrise and very well captured but I think it is even better because of the informative & very interesting note that comes with it.
Thanks
Regards
Santo

mursaloglu (8047) 2008-03-24 4:54

Dear bulent bey
I think that there are very wonderful places in the States worth to visit many times. Thanks your picture for showing us this marvelous scenes from this country. This one also is a great stunning image with great trees silhouettes and sunset in background really amazing. My best regards ihsan

carper (96) 2008-03-24 9:08

a photo with a story Bulent,
the shot is not fantastic, the quality and the backlight is handled good, the note made the shot good and thats special, very good photojob Bulednt and have a very good new week.
gr. jaap

lucasgalodoido (21030) 2008-03-24 9:10

Hi Bulent,
interesting compositions this, the silhouette of tree and the fantastic colors of sky was fantastic. Great work my friens.
Congratulations and Hug!

meltemi (9782) 2008-03-24 9:22

Hello Bulent,

lovely composition, incredible colours in this photo and impressive contrast between the majestic black tree and the background. All good sunsets seems to need silhouettes and here you have the big tree as well as the other smaller at the bottom of the frame. I love the orange and blue combination in the sky.
It's a true piece of art with great lines of colour and tone.

Warm Regards.
Stella

stego (22556) 2008-03-24 11:31

Hello Bülent,
I admire much how you are so inspired that early before a work day and how you make all those links between all the things: G. Washington, US Civil War, oak, Photography, Physics classes, Einstein.
The silhouette of the respectable and picturesque oak against the tones gradients of that sky with the sun rising is gorgeous, almost divine. The light is really very well managed.
Regards, José.

chpp (4281) 2008-03-24 12:20

Hi Bulent
great shot. I like the Tree in shadows, showing it's shape in contrast with the golden tones and the Blue sky
very creative compo and very nice settings
Have a nice day
chris

dokadak (11518) 2008-03-24 16:26

Merhaba Hocam,

Degisik bir atmosfer, siluetler, gokyuzunu farkli renk tonlarina boyayan renkler ile enfes bir paylasim...

selamlar
hasan

Nic-n-Jen_Inc (176) 2008-03-24 20:24

Hello Bulent,
A beautiful silhouette, showing the detail of the clouds and morning colors behind the splended oak tree. How great it must be to stand and photograph this spot with so much history.
Best Regards,

Angshu (51174) 2008-03-25 0:40

Hello Professor "A"
I remembered your earlier post of this giant oak almost immediately...but here, as you say light plays a critical role in the beauty of this..and light indeed is the single most important factor which makes or 'breaks' a photograph. So often, as tourists we do not have the luxury of waiting for the correct light & end up taking pictures which are just for our eyes only. Like the colours in the sky & of course the strong silhouette
With Warmest Regards
Angshuman

Greg1949 (9011) 2008-03-25 3:41

Lovely shot Bulent, the definition is surpassed only by the vivid warm colors. Well seen and captured.

Greg

Henryk_Bilor (20797) 2008-03-25 12:07

Hi Bulent
Lovely sunrise. Great colours and contrast of the tree`s branchces against the sky.
Regard

gracious (20025) 2008-03-25 12:10

Merhaba Bulent,
Selam!!
great composition of the sunrise with the perfect use of a big leafless tree as silhouette!
good pov with awesome colouration and good details
a very pleasant image to view and enjoy
many thanks for sharing
greeting
Tony

kdialyna (3148) 2008-03-26 1:46

The old oak against to a very dramatic sky with amazing colors.
What a combination!!
Dear Bulent I don't think that there was a better way to impressed the magnificence from this really impressive tree.
Best regards
Kostas

danos (73896) 2008-03-26 4:47

Hello Bulent,
A very nice sunset with the sun to be hidden behind the leafless huge Brompton Oak,that i saw it in the link.The silhuettes of the others trees and the colours of the sky make the shot unique.Very informative your note too.

Regards,Danos

Tue (25798) 2008-03-26 15:39

Hi Bulent,
This oak tree has seen quite some important parts of American history, it seems, and survived it all. Great photo of its silhouette against the early morning sky with beautiful warm and cold colours. The lovely light is very well managed. Thanks for sharing the view along with the informative note.
Regards,
Lars

zeca (19762) 2008-03-26 20:35

I have been planting some trees recently, so I´ve realized how long does it take to see a tree like this, so huge. Its branches are beautiful, specially enhanced by that wonderful colours of the sky. Excellent exposition, Batalay. I think that it is a post in the Bratislav style!
Regards,
Zeca

bostankorkulugu (40760) 2008-03-26 22:00

turuncu ve mor tonların eşsiz uyumuna eklenen silüet ağaç dallarıyla gözalıcı bir görüntü yakalamışsınız bülent bey, tebrikler...

(mailde gönderdiğiniz dökümanlar için teşekkürler çok...)

selam ve sevgilerimle

korkut

AiresSantos (56155) 2008-03-27 5:58

Hi Bulent
Wonderful colours in this very beautiful composition.
Excellent POV and silhouettes
It goes to my SUNRISE theme
Have a nice day
Aires

jrj (34841) 2008-03-27 6:58

Interesting work Bulent almost as a huge collage with all the cillion branches in that tree. Colourwise most attractive background too see in the back of the silhouetted tree.

tober (8748) 2008-03-27 7:22

Merhaba Sayın hocam, beş asırlık ağacın dalları arasından çok güzel renklerle bezeli bir gündoğumu karesi ortaya çıkarmışsınız. Notunuz da her zamanki gibi bu nefis manzarayı aynı güzellikte tamamlamış. Çok saygılar, Tolga

hatti52 (12784) 2008-03-27 13:11

Merhaba Bülent Bey
agac silueti,mavidn kirmiziya renk gecisleri harika
elinize saglik

avene (12671) 2008-03-27 14:09

hello Bulent,
what a powerful image! in Latvian mythology oak tree symbolises the man, the protector, "Pērkons" - the Thunder, which is the Latvian equivalent of Jupiter and Zeus, and your photo shows the reasons very well, the deep dark silhouettes of the branches illustrate perfectly the strength and resillience of the tree. the golden light on the horizon is beautiful, I like this photo a lot.

with kind regards,
Kristine

gunbud (34052) 2008-03-27 18:43

Hello Bulent,
The silhouetted old oak tree is wonderfully highlighted by the golden early day light that brings out all its gnarly limbs in a very pleasant peaceful way. It is amazing all the history this old tree has witnessed.
Regards, Tom

Budapestman (82620) 2008-03-28 2:00

Hi Bulent,
Beautiful impression with romantic atmosphere, I like the attractive composition and the ramose spectacle, Great! Have a nice weekend
George

hergi (5481) 2008-03-28 4:48

Selamlar Bülent bey,
Gün batımında ki ağaç silueti gerçekten bir harika çıkmış, renk tonlamalarıda müthiş..Ellerinize sağlık
Dergi çalışmaları nasıl gidiyor bu arada :)
Hülya

ChrisJ (86766) 2008-03-28 6:25

Merhaba Bulent

Fabulous graphism & silhouettes of the big old tree, with superb sunset colours, as a backdrop. Well done!

setenay (7654) 2008-03-28 6:32

Merhaba Bülent Bey,
Yeni bir günün başlangıcı olarak Gündoğumlarını daha çok seviyorum,insanın yaşadığını hissettiren doğanın en güzel olaylarından.Sizin harika çekimli karenizde de ,bu asırlık meşenin ardından bakana mutluluk veren,enfes bir gündoğumu manzarası görüyoruz.Elinize sağlık,tebrik ederim.
Nisanın son haftası kısa bir Roma tatilim var.Kampa girmiş gibi ders çalışıyorum,Vatikan müzesi için internetten biletimi alacağım.Bir süre TE.e ara verdim Hoşçakalın.
Selam ve saygılarımla
setenay

zmey (7335) 2008-03-28 8:05

merhaba bulent

i like this tribute to the age-old oak tree. luminous back-light and strong contrasts come to help the mood here. i feel, it was a good idea to shoot this portrait before the leaves come out. the web of the branches accentuate the 'old man's age and experience.

warm regards and TFS
kristaps

ps. Latvia used to have oak-forests up until the XVI century but then almost all oaks got cut down and sold off to the dutch ship-builderies. now we have pine-forests instead...

Bluejeans (64211) 2008-03-31 5:35

Ola amigo ,
Está magnifica esta tua foto um belo nascer do sol , gostei muito das silhuetas em primeiro plano do Oak, bom enquadramento da foto , muito bonitas as cores , parabéns!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

adores (28178) 2008-03-31 19:07

Hi Bulent!
Beautiful sunrise through this huge tree. Good pov and light. I like the silhouettes and the several different colours of the sky.Seems a really nice day was starting.

riclopes (35567) 2008-04-01 2:34

Superb capture of the impressive oak, Bulent. It seems really big with its long 'arms' stretching in all directions, making a dramatic performance while the day is just starting. I enjoy very much the mood from all this darkness, giving even more importance to the colorful rising sun. Excellent note, as usual. It's a good image to start with the Relativity subject - may be you should have printed out for your students in that lesson ;-)
All the best,
ricardo

Cricri (86295) 2008-04-03 9:05

Hi Bulent,
Belle silhouette de ce grand chêne sur un fond de couleurs plaisant, belle scéne des lumiéres dans le ciel bien capter au bon moment, trés belle réalisation
Best regard
cricri

ahmetgedikli (25058) 2008-04-03 12:08

Şahane bir kompozisyon... Güneşin doğuşunda renkler, silüetler ve kontrast inanılnaz bir güzellikte. Selamlar, saygılar Hocam.
Ahmet

AROBN54 (11067) 2008-04-03 20:15

Beautiful old oak in such nice silhouette, Bulent. The morning sun is lovely coming up behind it and the sharpness is excellent. I love those soft shades of blue you've captured behind the bare limbs. Very beautiful shot. Many thanks and warmest regards,
Shelly

rajiv_077 (1412) 2008-04-05 3:57

Hello Sir

Always like this of shot, lovely composed shot with great POV, The tree is very wide and looks great there, silhouette is perfect and giving very attracting picture, sunrise in background is completing this picture.

Well seen and capture.

kind regards

rajiv

paololg (31442) 2008-04-05 15:21

Ciao Bulent,
a marvelous sunset with a backlight that gives a dramatic atmosphere to the image. Excellent POV, sincere compliments.
Ciao and good Sunday
Paolo.

Didi (48872) 2008-04-06 11:20

Hi bulent
If it is sunrise your are not lazy to wake up early like me.
Very nice picture, the trees in winter give a dramatic ambiance.
Best regards.

amazon (12082) 2008-05-04 13:33

çok güzel,
çok güzel,
çok güzel,
uzunca bir ara vermek zorunda kaldim bir kac aydir ve harika karelerinizi kacirdim maalesef,elimi cabuk tutmali ve galerinize uzuuuun bir ziyaret yapmaliyim,
ellerinize saglik,
iffet

dcawker (5717) 2008-05-06 8:54

Beautiful light and composition here.. Excellent! Regards, Doug

Crazy-Cat (2) 2008-05-19 10:21

Great idea to play with the light of the sky through the branches of the tree. Beautiful shot.
Wishes by Diana

anokutan (15097) 2008-06-03 22:45

Merhabalar,
Yaşlanmış ağacın arkasında gözüken gün batımı gerçekten nefis.Renkler harika.Ağacın silüeti de süper.Tebrikler ve selamlar.

Giorgio (11263) 2008-07-05 0:37

- Impressive sunrise with amazing color in this cloudy sky, the tree in foreground ans chonese shadows is a undeniable more, well done!
Have a good weekend.
Greetings from Paris.
giorgio

BWJ (3022) 2008-10-23 18:50

Hello Bulent,
The silhouettes of the trees especially the massive old oak are so impressive on the beautiful sunrise sky. You did a superb job with the lighting and the colors from the very fiery orange at the horizon to the cool calm blue of the early morning higher in the sky. It is a very powerful picture. Your interesting note about the tree and the Civil War is splendid.
Kind regards,
Betty