I have always found it fascinating that some trees are able to grow in seemingly inhospitable places. No real soil to speak of, and water sources are around, but quite hidden or sporadic. These mostly barren rock faces around the Bruce Peninsula in Canada had quite a few of these, what I believe to be are Northern White Cedar trees. They can grow, survive, and reach extreme old age. These trees around Southern Ontario are claimed to be some of the oldest trees in Eastern North America reaching ages of more than 1600 years old.
I came across this tree while hiking and became intrigued with its features and location. It was on a rock ledge with very little around it. The foliage of the tree was mostly all to one side, to the direction away from the cold waters of Georgian Bay. I began to speculate that this “windblown” look may be the tree’s way of dealing with some of the harsh conditions that can develop on the bay.
I loved all of the leading lines to the tree in the rocks. However, when I started working on this image, I wanted to make it inviting enough to want to explore the details, yet keep some of the barren, stark characteristics and contrast of the story of this tree on a cliff ledge. There was still something about the overall tone that just wasn’t sitting right with me. It was all quite neutral grey-toned and just wasn’t dynamic enough. The white balance was rather cool overall on the raw file, not very inviting, so I went a little warmer. But then the warmth seemed to negate some of the cold, rugged, barren rock faces that I wanted to also include as part of the story of where this tree lives. What I needed was a balance between those two competing elements. And what better way to balance two competing elements than a gradient!
I used a gradient layer mask to balance two competing characteristics that I was after in this shot. I ended up keeping some warmth in an attempt to make it inviting, and some neutral grey starkness to emphasize the harsh environment of the rock face. That gradient also flows with the lines towards the tree. And since we are naturally drawn towards warmer tones, my eyes tend to go back and forth between the tree and the warmer tones on the rocks. So for now, I am happy with it.
As a Charleston wedding photographer I don’t get to do very much nature shots. I have always had a passion for it though. Would love to be able to shoot nature as a career.
I like the rugged look of the image and how you describe the tree. You are again focusing on nature, letting nature be the main attraction, which you would think all nature photographers would tend to do.
It is truly amazing how trees can do this — life always finds a way!
Beautiful image and love your post processing. In my opinion, you have a good grasp of what you want your final images to look like. Maybe if I hang around your blog long enough some of that will rub off on me. And, I enjoy the information you give us about you subjects, the places to go to and how or why you took your image. Well done, Mark!
you know you can do that in Lightroom too? I hardly ever touch photoshop any more. Actually the other day I did something I hardly ever do, I completely changed the look of a photo! *shock*. You must find the same as a photographer of nature that you get into a way of post processing that emphasises some characteristics that you saw in the scene at the time? I sometimes tweek mine to saturate the colours and provide more punch but this photo was one I found neglected (because it wasn’t very interesting) and I applied some LR presets I downloaded from the net and it transformed it. It’s no longer representative of the scene as it was but I think it’s much better for it.
Btw, have you been to Cambodia? If you’re into cool trees in rocks then you must go to Ta Phrom Temple! I have some photos (back from 2002) but they dont do it justice.
Except my gradient was a circular one. 😉 I do about 50/50 LR vs. Photoshop. There are some things (like luminosity masking) that LR just can’t do yet. The amount of tools available these days can be overwhelming!
No, haven’t been to Cambodia Suzy – will have to look up the temple you reference. Sounds interesting!
Nicely processed. A beautiful subject too. It really is amazing how the tree grows on a rock like this.
Thanks Amber.
Mark, a wonderfully fascinating subject and your creative balance of those two strong competing elements is effective. For me there’s a bit of conflict as to which is the main subject — but that could be my own filters. 🙂
Easy answer Earl – both! 🙂
Bravo! Your interpretaion is wonderfully effective. The story is clearly and eloquently told.
Stories such as this remind me why it is no wonder some of us think Photoshop is the cat’s pajamas.
It is the modern darkroom of course! Thanks Anita.
Nicely done, Mark! This sort of thing fascinates me, too – to quote the great Dr. Ian Malcolm (from “Jurassic Park” :^D ), “Life will find a way.”
– Jack
That quote certainly has proof in so many different places Jack. Thanks.
This is an interesting interpretation of a great photo. It’s a creative and pleasing effect using tools that are readily available yet not pushing the subject into something unrecognizable. Very nicely done.
That is always a delicate balance Ken. Sometimes I go a little to far and after awhile have to back away and retweek it. I appreciate your input.