Trees - and if you would please tell me which you like. I want to enter a learning curve :)

[Mira]

I’ve not had the time to be very active here, I could only be very sporadic, but I’m roaring back.
In the last week I dusted off my secondary camera (Sony Alpha 500) because the primary one (Sony Alpha 65) is getting repaired and now that I finished a huge job and have time again I took about 400 photos in a week. Pretty natural in the glorious and flaming Indian Summer in the South.

So, if you’ll still have me, I’ll be around again, participating.

These I took this afternoon, stopped at the side of the road, it’s in town, near a library and a school.
Which do you like best, if any.

[intheflow]

1. The middle one.

The shadows and muted light on the forest floor. Just the trunks visible so my eye isn't trying to see the moody light through branches. It's simple.

The other two shots I would describe as not being able to see the forest for the trees. Too many branches, too busy, I don't know what I'm supposed to focus my attention on.

My 2¢.

[Mira]

3. Thank you for your input. I suspected

that the middle one would be the favorite.
The reason I like the other two is because in my opinion they are in spite of their busyness nicely balanced in the weight of light and dark and the up and down of the tree trunks in all that is going on. I squint and think of Jackson Pollock. But maybe I'm just deluding myself, that's kind of why I put it out to you guys to give me feedback.

What you are describing - and it makes me smile - is what Salieri said about Mozart's music: Too many notes.

[intheflow]

5. Well, you also had the benefit of seeing those trees in 3D.

You have a visceral memory of them that I'm not seeing in 2D. You memory is wider, and includes smell and the feel of the air. It makes a big difference in how we perceive the images.

[Mira]

8. So very true and perceptive!

The job of the photograph is to distill all that for the viewer, and the answers tell me if it worked. I think you zeroed in on why I asked for feedback!

[Crewleader]

2. #2

Hi Mira,
Love seeing your photos! I picked #2 because it's inviting to walk through there. I miss New England this time of year and most definitely summers. All three photos are nice. Thank You!

We're about to get our Fall this weekend I hear...maybe even colder then usual, this Floridian welcomes it!

[Mira]

4. Kind, kind words. Thanks.

Trying to figure out where you are located, and can't. I don't like the cold, it makes my bones rattle. But - dig this - I'm going to Montreal in the first week of January.
(the big job I just did pays for it

[Crewleader]

7. Congrats on the trip to Montreal!

I'm in Central Florida on the Space Coast near the freeze line so when it gets cold, it gets cold and I'm like you ,my bones rattle too!
But it's been late in October here, the summer weather with the humidity and it's about to leave for awhile, looking forward to the change!

And looking forward to all your photos!

You really got something special to look forward to. Montreal in winter, stay warm, January definitely, brrrr!.

[NV Whino]

6. No. 2

The composition and the light guide your eyes through the photo and keeps you engaged.

I like no. 3 second best. It almost works, but a bit too busy.

No. 1 is way too busy. Everything has equal importance and your eyes don't know where to go.

[Mira]

10. This is great feedback

I think I am mentally stuck on the weight and balance thing - and if that pleases me- so does the photograph, disregarding other considerations.
Thanks!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

9. Number 2

The shadows are more prominent which means the light stands out better too. Plus its less distracting by having only the trunks of the trees versus all those branches and shrubs. The floor of leaves is also a nice touch.

[Mira]

12. I figured it would be the favorite

I am getting the answers on "why"- thank you for yours.
What I like in the others about the light on the trunks of the trees and the balance and weight as I already said is obviously a very personal thing that is not coming across.
I'm glad my wild hair on asking for feedback would be valuable. Thanks!

[alfredo]

11. I like the simplicity of #2, but I like the grouping of the trees in #3.

[Mira]

13. Thanks Alfredo

When I grow up I want to see things the way you can. I so admire your work.

[alfredo]

15. Thank you. I had a good art teacher in high school.

[Blue_In_AK]

14. The middle one is best for its simplicity.

[Tom Kitten]

16. I think the second is the best photo but...

I like the perpendicular trees in the first. I agree with others that it's a little too busy and I think it would be better if the green foliage coming up at the very center bottom were cropped out, so the floor of fallen leaves would be the base of the photograph. The third photograph is similar to the first but I don't like it as much because you don't have the fallen leaves at the bottom so much. Do you see what I'm trying to say?

[Solly Mack]

17. The 2nd one.

Then the 3rd one, then the top one.

I like the color/leaves/floor.

The sun and shadows.

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. Number 2

Has a defined focal point, the center trunk, and dark and light trunks are balanced in the pic. It is a calm pic.
I did like the light in #1, but agree with others it is too busy.

Looking forward to your pics/travelogue of Montreal!

[Curmudgeoness]

19. Number 2.

The other ones do not seem to have the right light to make them pop, but #2 seems to work with the light/shadow. I do wish that it was just a tad lighter though.

It looks like you had a great day out with the camera though!

[ohheckyeah]

20. In photography class we

spent a good bit of time on photos of trees since we have so many around here. We were taught that simplicity and finding a pattern in the trees to photograph made for the best photos of trees - otherwise the eye has trouble focusing and it gets messy. Your second picture has both - there is a diagonal line of trees creating a pattern and it's simple. The trees on the far right could have been left out, IMO.

Obviously I prefer number 2 - very nice photo.

[Rhiannon12866]

21. I like the first one, it's the light

Though they all are exceptional!