Watchung Pine Forest

Posted by Laurie (New Jersey, United States) on 22 January 2007 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.

This is actually a shot from the archives taken in March of 2006. I had posted the color version on my other blog, but I thought I would post the black and white version here. This was recently a featured photo on Weekly Shot in the category "trees".

I have to admit that my work has really been drawn to black and white lately. Perhaps because the dull tones of winter are conducive to black and white? Maybe because when I did film processing I only did black and white? I am not sure, but I really do like to work in black and white.

I always look at my photos in the lightness channel to see if they might benefit from some sharpening and often it inspires me to go in and process the photo in black and white. Often that black and white image is the one that wins me over.

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Comments (15)

Still from Valence, France

Wow impressive and vertiginous!

22 Jan 2007 9:43pm

@Still: Thanks...I get that feeling too.

alberto from vicenza, Italy

great point of view!

22 Jan 2007 11:01pm

@alberto: Thanks you. It's really a beautiful spot, not quite as beautiful as I remember it as a kid but still beautiful.

John from United States

Great composition and perspective, and you're right on target regarding b&w.

22 Jan 2007 11:45pm

@John: I thank you kind sir.

Darren from Japan

This is a really nice shot. Love how the light is highlighted in the middle where the trees are reaching

23 Jan 2007 3:43am

@Darren: Thanks. That was definitely an eye catcher for me. The conversion to black and whit intensified the effect too.

Doug from Eastsound, United States

Beautiful perspective.

23 Jan 2007 4:13am

Laurie from New Jersey, United States

Thanks! It's always a pleasure to hear form you!

23 Jan 2007 4:30am

Paul Ricciardi from West Hartford, United States

Interesting that you're being drawn to B&W. My last 26 shots have been B&W film, as a matter of fact, about all I've shot since I moved has been B&W film and I've got something like 25 more shots I want to post. But I'm going to do some colour stuff for a bit.
In any event, it was good to hear from you on my blog, I was actually wondering what you were up to and what was on your blog at the moment and then you dropped a couple of lines on mine. Funny how things go like that.

On the subject of the picture, it's lovely. You've got a nice range of values going on here and the lighting is simply beautiful. I love the perspective as well, it really accentuates the height and grandeur of the trees. The limbs of these trees are quite interesting as well, and you've captured their reaching, almost flailing, windswept growth pattern quite well.

23 Jan 2007 2:29pm

@Paul Ricciardi: Thank you Paul. I don't always get to go to all the sites that I would like to and leave comments, but I try to when I can.

dawn m. armfield from flagstaff, United States

I'm drawn to monotones, duotones, tritones, and quadtones. So I completely understand. :-) It works for me all year long though, so it's not winter that does it. It's the tones, the depth, that come from these types of images. I like that.

23 Jan 2007 3:35pm

@dawn m. armfield: Thanks so much.

MontereyJohn from California, United States

Hi Laurie, lovely shot

I didn't know you had a blog here! I have a whole bunch of new stuff to look at :)

23 Jan 2007 3:36pm

@MontereyJohn: I think I actually found Aminus3 because of you John. I looked at yours and thought it was a pretty nice platform for photoblogging and a nice community.

Colour blind from Tokyo, Japan

I think "WHOA!!!" were my first words about this picture. I think you've done a ripper of a shot here. I love the black and white on this. Looks much like it's etched into steel or aluminium. I could only imagine how gorgeous this place would have been if I was standing underneath.

23 Jan 2007 4:51pm

@Colour blind: As beautiful as it is now, it was more so when I was a child. Thanks I am glad you like it.

Suby from Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Laurie this is one of the most awesome shots I have seen from you in a while, the shot ticks all the right boxes in Subster town and just appeals to me on every level, the lighting and the way the sun shines down/through the trees is just perfect. I love that you rendered this in B&W.

Well done, good good capture in my book

Suby

23 Jan 2007 6:44pm

@Suby: Thanks Suby...This is actually an OLDIE from almost a year ago. I had posted it early on in my other blog, only it was in color.

photowannabe from pacifica, United States

I do like this too, especially the perspective. I agree, there is something very enticing about black and white.
To answer your question about bike messengers. Yes they are as crazy and intense as New Yorker messengers. They rather scare me because they seem to think the rules of the road don't apply to them. When driving by them one has to have eyes all over the head.

23 Jan 2007 7:02pm

@photowannabe: Thanks...NY Bike messengers are nuts and dangerous to pedestrians and drivers.