Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

I'm on a never-ending quest to improve my eye, when it comes to scenic shots. I am trying to learn how to recognize potential in things I see, when I'm out hiking.

I've always liked this particular ancient, fallen log. It lies in the shadow of a living tree, and has what I think is an interesting background. I've seen this sight many, many times, but I am usually armed only with a large lens more suitable for wildlife. Yesterday, I brought a change of lenses with me. The wildlife has been hiding, lately, so I wanted to be prepared if something presented itself.

The background is actually much farther away than the photo might suggest. There is replacement dam construction going on. I wanted that background to be clear enough that one could see what was going on, but not so sharp as to draw attention away from the main point of focus -- the fallen tree. As I mentioned, the fallen tree lies in the shadow of a living tree, and my vantage point is from under that tree. I purposely kept the hanging branches from that living tree, because I thought that enhanced the separation between the fallen tree and the distant background. I also thought it gave a feeling of serenity, like you might get when having a picnic under a shade tree.

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Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

I feel you have met you stated goals...well done.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The background makes a fascinating counterpoint to the log. You've captured a lot of great details and textures + I think the oak just down the slope on right side helps with the feeling of distance to the dam. If you had room to back up a bit, I would like to have seen a little more of the overhanging branches from the living tree for the contrast and your goal.

Very interesting and engaging shot!

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks! I never know how much of those near, overhanging branches to leave in the frame. I wanted to have enough so that it didn't seem like I wasn't paying attention, but I also didn't want the overhanging branches to take over. Another thing I did not want in the frame was any sky, from the horizon. It was such a bright day that any sky, at all, would have been the brightest thing in the shot, hijacking the viewer's attention.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

The log is delightful. It looks like a sculpture. The background is very bright, I think. I'd be tempted to darken it a bit, but then you would likely lose some of the nice contrast for the log.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Can we play with this a bit? S-

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Be my guest.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

It's a minor crop to bring out the details. Appreciate! S-
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magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Well I wouldn't mind a picnic beside your log - providing the noise from the dam works is not too intrusive. Very nicely done and, as Frank says, goal achieved!

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

You have it all here. Impact interest great color and interest. I read your intro and thought here we go another FYC shot lol. You proved me wrong in fact very wrong. Superb piece of work right thru from shutter release to PP. Proof that with thought a mundane object can make a great photograph.

ediesaul

I'm sorry to be the lone outsider here, Anvil, but please remember that my remarks are my own perspective and just for your consideration.

If one viewed your photo without the descriptive remarks, one may ask, what is the subject - the foreground or the background? If the foreground, I find the background too distracting. If the log is meant to frame the background, then you would have a completely different photo. I don't know how you would pp the background to make it less distracting because you liked both in the image.

Perhaps if you moved to the left so that the log would be more on the left side of the image and the background more on the right, then you would have two interesting images in one photo, a nature image on one side and a man-made image on the other, which might make an interesting contrast.

My imagination ran wild, and, I'm sorry, I saw a bunny on the the upright growth of the log on the left side of the image. Once I saw that bunny, that's all I ended up seeing. I think that bunny is really interesting, and I wonder if you would be interested in making a photo of the bunny that might be an interesting shot for kids...and old fogies like me who still feel like kids. :)

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Love your bunny Edie- well spotted!

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks, all, for your thoughtful comments.

Steve -- there was a subtle item in the original crop that got halfway eliminated in yours. Just right of center, below the log, there is a ground squirrel. Well, wildlife is my first love.

Magnetoman -- you can't really hear much dam noise, as it is not as close as the picture makes it to be. However, were you to hike there planning on a picnic, you'd have to have a backup spot in mind, just in case. This area is a regional park, which means it is also a cattle range. Those normally docile critters can be quite aggressive. (I've been charged by these beasts more than once.)

Edie -- you can be an outsider any time you want. If I were not interested in helpful criticism, I would not have put this in FYC. In truth, I had wondered whether this shot might be too busy. I liked the overall feel of it, though, so I kept it. It does make me think of one of Minnie's "kitchen sink" photos.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Good catch and agree! Thank you again! S-