Complimentary Colors
This is one from the archives – a leaf photographed by the side of river at Bridal Veil falls in Tinker’s Creek Gorge in Ohio. This is a pretty cool area to work in because the shale creates all sorts of interesting lines, shapes, and surfaces. The bigger bonus was having some blue sky reflecting in the water to act as a complimentary color to this leaf.
Complimentary colors to me are a bonus find in nature. They create a special dynamic relationship in an image. My eyes wander back and forth between the leaf and the blue reflecting water – almost as if there was an attracting and opposing force between the two like magnets. The lines of the shale help contribute to that dynamic.
I plead guilty to not being very systematic about how I tag my posts – haphazard would be a a more fitting term. I am trying to do better! 
I have now created a post tag called “artist favorites.” This tag will link you to some of my favorite posted images over the last year. Eventually I will spend time to go back further and tag those. I encourage you to check it out and see if you missed something.
http://t.co/1xjuh7fT - posted on 22 hours ago
Terrific image. Love the colors!
Pretty pretty!
Wow – great composition & brilliant colors, Mark!
- Jack
This is a fascinating looking image Mark. The design and the quality of the light are really great.
Mark: Nice! This is the kind of image that I love. I have a number of similar images in my own archives. I have been reading Joe McNally’s “The Moment It Clicks” lately. Lots of “war stories,” but some gems of wisdom, too. He remarks that one of his editors always said to him something like don’t overlook the small photos. I think maybe this is an example of what he means.
And, ain’t Mother Nature an amazing set maker??
Amazing, Mark! Wonderful saturated colours, excellent motif, composition and dynamincs in the image.
I agree completely about complimentary colors, which is why my shot of a golden orb weaver (sunset-orange spider against blue sky,) is one of my personal faves.
I also hear you on labels/tags. Hindsight is SOOOO 20/20!
That color combination is irresistible.
Beautiful colors. Beautiful composition. Beautiful image. Great work, Mark!
Thanks a lot folks. I am glad you like it.