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Lonely Tree.



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I found this nearly dead apple tree near the end of a dirt road in the hills of Montana. I had just turned the car around and bam! there was the photo right in ...
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I found this nearly dead apple tree near the end of a dirt road in the hills of Montana. I had just turned the car around and bam! there was the photo right in front of me. Lots of shots from lots of spots lol.
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3 Comments |
Tinasdigitalimages
 
Tinasdigitalimages December 09, 2015
Definitly alittle creepy. This is the second creepy tree I've seen tonight. The other one had a backdrop of orange.
rjb0765
 
rjb0765 August 02, 2016
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
rjb0765
 
rjb0765 August 02, 2016
No doubt, twisted, dead old trees lend themselves to creepiness lol!!
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Behind The Lens

Location

I shot this photo near a home I used to own in Montana. I have since sold the house but I did drive by this particular tree to grab another photo and it had fallen, I guess it rotted out and the wind blew it over.

Time

Technically this photo was probably taken during the blue hour, since the sun is well down. I like shooting after the sun hides behind the mountains; the colors in the sky can be fabulous and often the best light of the day.

Lighting

The lighting was straight forward. All natural...no flash, no headlights. What you see in the photo is just the way it was, with the exception of the grasses near the tree. I lightened them in photoshop for effect.

Equipment

Hmmm, this was some time ago. A Canon 7D, I believe a Canon 24-105 L series lens, a Manfrotto tripod and head and a cable release.

Inspiration

I actually just happened upon the spot. I was there at the right time. So much of the time that's what it takes; you have to put yourself out there if you want to have a chance at a great photo. Disregard weather, temperature, and other distractions and just go, everyday if you can. Besides, often its weather and temperatures that create a great scene to capture. It's amazing how the same spot can evolve week by week through the year, even day by day. Same spot, different photo!

Editing

Post processing is just a part of landscape photography, so yes I used photoshop and lightroom on this photo. The trick is to not over - process the photo. Most of the time I like to accentuate what was there when I took the original photo. I always shoot the photo on standard, no in camera boosts to color or sharpness, nothing like that. Photoshop will do a much better job than my Canon will.

In my camera bag

When it comes to gear I'm a bit of a hoarder; I don't want to be thirty miles from town only to find the perfect micro shot and realize I left my lens at home to save a few pounds. So, I take it all. Granted I don't hike ten miles a day but when I find a good scene I'm ready for it. In my pack, a Canon 5d mk iv, two extra camera batteries (charged), a Canon 100-400mm ii L lens, a Canon16-24mm iii L lens, a Canon 24-105mm L lens, a Canon 100mm micro lens, a Canon 50mm lens, a 1.4x iii teleconverter for the lenses, a Gobe and a B&W circular polarizer, (sometimes I use them both at the same time), a B&W 3 - 10 stop circular ND filter, a Neewer telescoping tripod, (heavy duty), 4 fm radio controlled off camera flash hot shoes, a Canon 270 ez flash, a Neewer TT560 flash, plenty of batteries for both flashes, an on flash diffuser, a set of Etekcity 24 in. reflectors, an Altura camera sling, a Canon battery charger which I can plug into my car to use, at lease two extra memory cards, cleaning cloths both wet and dry, a wireless (and wired) remote trigger, and miscellaneous stuff like a multi tool, extra feet for mounting lenses, a waterproof cover for the pack, an hyperfocal chart and bug spray...always bug spray.

Feedback

Scout. When you're driving or hiking, look up, as a great guy named Joe Humphries would say. In other words take a note of whats around you. Then you'll have some ideas of where to go during peak times, like sunrise and sunset. And you don't need to travel far, many people pass by beautiful, intriguing scenes everyday and hardly give it a glance. As a photographer its your job to make the ordinary look interesting or wonderful. Not everybody goes to the Amazon and shoots photos but yet great photos are seen on the internet everyday. You'd be amazed what you could find in your backyard: ants, butterflies, birds, caterpillars, pets...the list goes on. Also, be sure to put yourself out there. The earth and the light on it change everyday, so try to get out to make some captures everyday. I know, its not easy with work and families, but even a half an hour before bed could get you some great photos. One thing for certain, if you don't have a camera in your hand you're not going to take any great photos...

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