Along A Provençal Roadway Photo

Photographer’s Note

Near Sault, Provence, France

Scene
After visiting Carpentras and driving up to the summit of Mont Ventoux, "The Giant of Provence," we headed down the mountain off of the east flank toward Sault. I spotted this old tree trunk and hedge and felt that it would make a nice image with the poppies and grass in the foreground and the threatening skies in the back.

Background
The Sault region is known for it's lavender production and there were fields everywhere. Since we were there in May the plants were just a few weeks from blooming so there were not the classic purple flowers on the plants. The buds were set and there was a faint hint of lavender in the air but not like in July. The roads are narrow and winding and sometimes there are hedgerows like this one.

scobert, Floydian, christor, jhm, stego, feather, pboehringer, plimrn has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

baladine (1201) 2007-05-23 16:14

Bonsoir,
jolies photos, j'aime beaucoup les couleurs.
Amicalement
Orianne

scobert (5333) 2007-05-23 23:55

Hello John,
This photo has something in commmon with your last post of the faded painting on the old door. Both of these photos are of lesser viewed type of things that even observant photographers often overlook. A very subtle landscape photo but a very good one. I like the soft lighting and the serene feeling and the subtle beauty that this scene has. The cloudy sky even has its own beauty. I like your image. Good job!
Stan

Floydian (30970) 2007-05-24 6:00

Wonderful photo John. Strong and powerful vertical composition. Those tiny red and yellow flowers really make the image...perfect.
Regards, Henk

jhm (83378) 2007-05-24 8:05

Hello John,

A picture for a time pausing between the poppies and the other yellow flowers, the dead tree gives a nice contrast against the green background. Nice done.

Greetings,
John.

stego (22482) 2007-05-24 8:41

Hi John,
Looking a so simple compo and subject, it's impressive how it is so attractive. Not a big surprise if one thinks twice, as the true geniality is using simplicity. I guess that its irresistible appeal has something to do with the trunk well positioned, backed by the bush; the threatening sky gives it a dramatic touch and those pretty little flowers on the fg make the rest. Wonderful!
Regards, José.

feather (50168) 2007-05-24 8:57

Beautiful image of the old tree. I love the impact from the red and yellow flowers, that are so eye-catching.
Kath

pboehringer (770) 2007-05-24 11:42

A lot of wonderful nature details and yet minimalistic, John. I love shots like these a lot. And requires a good eye and abstraction to synthesize the right framing and elements that will be part of a composition. Not many people are able to do that so well as you did it here.

plimrn (19740) 2007-06-14 0:30

Hi John,
You captured exactly my image of a Provencal roadway with its bright swath of flowers. The tree makes a nice focal point and the threatening sky overhead has perfect light and detail. HLJ, Pat