Farther along in the RBG, as part of an art and sculpture display, this tree was a red oak that had been destroyed by gypsy moths. It was cut down and the "resulting work is the entire tree, from the largest sections of the trunk to the smallest branches cut into cubes and packed as a solid block in its original location".
The original picture turned out a little lifeless (no pun intended) and this effect is the result of it being warmified and sharpened, then a lot of soft focus was added to add concentration to the stump and the block.
I'm not generally a huge fan of photoshopping. Sometimes a photo could use a little bit of help, but I find too much saturation annoying rather than enlightening, and often these 'soft focus' ones just make me want to rub my eyes and squint.
BUT, there seems to be some amazing techniques out there that I knew nothing about, which make my attempts here look very basic and simple. I urge anyone who is interested and who doesn't normally check out the other SundayStills contributers to do so and see some of the creativity that photoshop can produce - if you have the right program!
SundayStills
Very cool, Happy Thanksgiving!! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos - and what a good idea for the oak tree! I didn't know moths could kill an entire tree!
ReplyDeleteGreat results both of them!
ReplyDeleteThe orangy looking sky makes the picture very special:-)
I understand it's Thanksgiving....wish you a happy one:-)
You did very well with the fountain!
ReplyDeleteNice! What software do you use?
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on both photos. I see that you are quite an expert at photo imaging.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat job they did with that tree and what a novel idea. Is it a place where you are allowed to sit down or only look at?
Ed: thank you
ReplyDeleteGilly: Gypsy Moths are a big problem around here
Marleen: yeah, think sunset on sepia, and thank you
Jeannette: I think fountains look great in sepia
Geewits: these were done with Picasa, that's pretty much all I have
Nora: I'm not really an expert at this, but I did spend a lot of time on these - way longer than any expert would have!
This tree is part of an Earth Art Exhibit that ends this weekend. I don't know what will happen to it, but I can't really imagine it being moved. It is on the side of a steep, narrow, walking path.
Very nice job.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving wishes. :)
I know what you mean about the rubbing-eyes-squinting, but I really like the second picture...it feels like a fond memory.
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed interesting to "preserve" the tree so.
ReplyDeleteIs it used as a bench of sorts though it seems high for one?
I love the fountain shot. I'm in love with the sepia look. Great idea for the sculpture I hope it stays. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...It will be a quiet holiday here as my girls and husband are all away and not able to get home...but the sun is shining today so I can't complain.
ReplyDeleteI love the shots. It's amazing what you captured and added. The fact that they took the tree down but brought it back is a wonderful sentiment.
ReplyDeleteLovely tones. I enjoy using online photo editing a lot. It's amazing what you can do for free.
ReplyDeleteNicely done, and Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteMe, too I do not like to alter my images, but you did good with these two photos. The sepia effects made the photo look so warm. The second one is beautiful too. And I agree with you, you spend way to much time PSing our pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips.
Those are excellent. Like you, I prefer subtle adjustments *most* of the time. I did something dramatic for my PS Challenge today though. I generally have to do at least brighten/contrast and maybe sharpening, sometimes I change the hue/saturation also.
ReplyDeleteI love the 2nd shot, it really tells a story
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the photoshop issue, but I too am enjoying looking at everyone's pics. Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteCool pics!!
ReplyDeleteThat oak tree: What great exhibit. And I like what you did with it, too.
ReplyDeleteThe fountain is pretty, too.
~Lisa
Happy Thanksgiving. I love the Oak tree pic and the story.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I like the fountain effects.
ReplyDeletei love the softness in the first photo, well done it's beautiful
ReplyDeleteI love what you've done with the fountain too! Happy Thanksgiving from here as well.
ReplyDeletedibear: thanks
ReplyDeleteJune: I guess it is sortof dreamlike, like a memory
Anil: it is awkward to climb onto, and is actually very big. I believe it is to show what the tree looks like when compressed into blocks
Meadowsweet: we have very overcast skies and overnight frost, so maybe the colours will explode soon
Colleen: the tree should stay as a reminder, I think. thank you
Lena: now that I have experimented, and seen what others have come up with, I'll probably spend more time on the computer, playing...
ReplyDeleteShirley: thanks
Ebie and Holly: subtle photoshopping seems to be more my style, compared to some of the other ones I've seen.
Char: thanks, I like a story with my photos
crazysheeplady: I have been blown away by some of them
Gina: thanks
ReplyDeleteLisa and Janice: and to think I almost didn't walk down that path to see it
Patches, Chloe and Linda: more votes for the fountain!
Thanks for the visit and comments. I can see that you too, appreciate the things that can be done with photoshop. Nice shots!
ReplyDeletePS On my computer, I can hardly read the titles in yellow that are under your dates.
Lori: thanks, I've changed it now.
ReplyDeleteOh how gorgeous! I like the fountain best but the tree is awesome, I like what you did with it! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the fountain photo!
ReplyDeleteI love the fountain photo!
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the soft focus..I might have old eyes1 The first one is very well done..:)
ReplyDelete