Ruth Carll May 1, 2020 - 6:39 am

Trees on Fire

This is an unaltered (other than a color boost) ICM of a stand of trees. The young trees had this beautiful orangey-brown bark and there were so many in this stand. When I first saw this outcome, I was bummed that I wobbled and didn't get a series of straight lines. However, after coming back to it, I think it looks a bit like fire.

I'd love to hear what you think? No worries that some like this style and some don't. All opinions welcome!

PS - I added a two other images from the day to show more of what I was trying for. The second image below is if the trail through these trees and the third is from the same position as the first without less saturation boost or wobble.

7 Comments

Sz O May 1, 2020 - 10:19 am

Hi Ruth,
These are really cool!
What shutter speed did you use?

The first one does look like fire, but I think the 2nd one is my favorite - it's surreal enough to look like a dream, but I can still tell that they are trees / it's a location.

Ruth Carll May 2, 2020 - 7:09 am

Sz O [Edited]

Hi Sz O,

Pentax K3, f/22, 1/6, ISO 100, 70mm

I highly suggest giving these a try! Getting what I call 'the flick' down is tricky, particularly if, based on your comment, you want to recognize the image and then streak it. In this case you want to set the image by being still when the shutter opens and then flick the lens up. In the case of the first image, I started the motion before hitting the shutter release.

Besides trying to learn different techniques, the biggest reason to try things like this (for me) is to learn your camera. You can't do this on auto! It is a fun way to see how you can make the camera do things you might not know you could!

Here is one with the trail clearly evident. I didn't love the outcome (it's a little creepy for some reason!) but just an example of setting the image before a quick flick.

Thanks for the feedback! I hope to see some of yours. Don't worry about posting unsuccessful outcomes. I learned this here by getting feedback from group members.

Sz O May 3, 2020 - 9:57 pm

Ruth Carll

Wow, that's awesome!
Thanks for taking the time to write all that out, I really appreciate it.

I'll definitely give this a try in the next few days.

Ruth Carll May 4, 2020 - 1:50 am

Sz O

I hope you post your experiments!

Alan Brown May 6, 2020 - 6:17 pm

Ruth Carll

Hey Ruth, love it - this my favorite. I like the crossover between reality and abstract.
I think this displays thought in the composition that goes beyond the common take on ICM.