Druid's Delight, a photo from Utah, West

Photographer's Note

South Fork of the Provo Canyon where this was taken is an interesting place. It is a little side canyon with streams, more side canyons, farms, ranches, and wildlife. It runs north to south, and sunrise comes late most of the year.

I had driven past this grouping of trees many times, and had determined that the repeating shapes and textures were worthy of an image. I was setup and waited for sunrise. I made the images just as the sun crested the east rim of the canyon.

Tech Note:
I placed the exposure on Zone II, which was set for some of the darker bark on the trees, which depending on your monitor, may or may not show detail. I developed to keep highlights with texture in the distant trees. Which, worked out to be normal development. The bright highlights in the foreground were beyond the point where I could keep detail without removing too much contrast from the negative and removing the feeling of morning light.

Hauke has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bantonbuju (51815) 2004-12-27 4:02

well i think its a kind of a brave approach to such a scene - b/w should always emphesize texture or geometry, at least in theory; applying it here was on one hand experimental, on the other - it does work, strange yet interesting pic

marcb (589) 2004-12-27 14:55

B&W is a very good choice. It gives depth to the picture.

fmg (4) 2004-12-27 17:25

Explendid BW photo, with a very good compositional balance and tonal width...Good work.

Hauke (12) 2004-12-28 8:09

I've got the details on the barks :) Thanks for that hint let me know about my old 1705 Multiscan is still alive ;-)
Dana, a fine shot you've presented with this one. I like the depth in it and the early morning lights streaking the branches in the foreground. Thanks for the note 'bout exposure and your work on the neg.