Theme: Winter Beech

[Anita Bower]

Not sure if this fits the theme.

I took this yesterday on our property with a Canon s100. I'm practicing using this little camera until I find a replacement for my Nikon D300.

Topaz Adjust and DeNoise; CEP: Contrast Color Range (twice); Topaz Detail: Soft and Dreamy. Photo Filter: Sepia.

Textures: "Rusty Shadows": http://www.flickr.com/photos/pareeer...7603745560932; and"Favorite": http://www.flickr.com/photos/playing...n/photostream/

[Nancy Bell]

This most certainly has that "vintage look" with the faded colors, light leaks, etc. It is easy to imagine this is from an old vacation and was found in some old photo album. Good composition with the path leading diagonally back into the image. And interesting contrast of the leaning sapling with leaves vs. the tall, leafless trees.

[Dennis Bishop]

You have a number of good things going on geometrically. The one that struck me first -- consciously, at least -- is the diagonal that Nancy mentioned. There's also the verticals from the trees running into it, and the triangle formed by the bottoms of the foreground trees and the tops of the background trees adds some energy. With the help of the sun, the top leg of the triangle and the path give a very nice sense of depth.

[Anita Bower]

This most certainly has that "vintage look" with the faded colors, light leaks, etc. It is easy to imagine this is from an old vacation and was found in some old photo album. Good composition with the path leading diagonally back into the image. And interesting contrast of the leaning sapling with leaves vs. the tall, leafless trees.

Thank you. One thing I love about Beeches is that they retain some of their leaves all winter providing bright spots in the otherwise grey woods.

[Anita Bower]

You have a number of good things going on geometrically. The one that struck me first -- consciously, at least -- is the diagonal that Nancy mentioned. There's also the verticals from the trees running into it, and the triangle formed by the bottoms of the foreground trees and the tops of the background trees adds some energy. With the help of the sun, the top leg of the triangle and the path give a very nice sense of depth.

Thank you for your thoughtful comments.

[Judy Howle]

I also like your composition for reasons already mentioned above, and the color and textures make it look authentically aged. Well done!

Thanks for the texture links, I've just downloaded a lot of them from the one with the old photo plates textures and assorted other vintage graphics.

[Anita Bower]

Judy: I'm glad you followed the links to free textures.

I also like your composition for reasons already mentioned above, and the color and textures make it look authentically aged. Well done!

Thanks for the texture links, I've just downloaded a lot of them from the one with the old photo plates textures and assorted other vintage graphics.

[gary ellwein]

The others have commented on the good compositional elements. For me, the horizontal bands of beech leaves make the image. The image conjures up memories of Lancaster, Pa. Thanksgivings of days gone by.

[Anita Bower]

The others have commented on the good compositional elements. For me, the horizontal bands of beech leaves make the image. The image conjures up memories of Lancaster, Pa. Thanksgivings of days gone by.

Thanks, Gary. This was taken a couple of miles from Lancaster County.

[Wendy Kates]

I agree with all of the comments about the diagonals, and the faded, vintage look. The vignette adds to the look as well. Thank you for the link to the textures...I've been experimenting with Topaz Textures, and can't get the looks I want. The special discount runs out in 19 minutes, but I can't quite bring myself to buy it yet. I'll stick with free textures for a while!

[Anita Bower]

I agree with all of the comments about the diagonals, and the faded, vintage look. The vignette adds to the look as well. Thank you for the link to the textures...I've been experimenting with Topaz Textures, and can't get the looks I want. The special discount runs out in 19 minutes, but I can't quite bring myself to buy it yet. I'll stick with free textures for a while!

Thanks, Wendy. I, too, am sticking with textures over the Topaz Textures.

[Diane Miller]

I love this! My kind of scene. I might consider making the lower left area a little darker and maybe less contrasty.

My ancestors lived in that area for a few years (in 1732!) before moving to North Carolina.

[Anita Bower]

I love this! My kind of scene. I might consider making the lower left area a little darker and maybe less contrasty.

My ancestors lived in that area for a few years (in 1732!) before moving to North Carolina.

Thanks. Good point about lower right corner.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Anita, I'm very late commenting but it is a perfect vintage image. I think all of the strong points have been covered above. Thanks so much for the links!

[Anita Bower]

Hi, Anita, I'm very late commenting but it is a perfect vintage image. I think all of the strong points have been covered above. Thanks so much for the links!

Thanks, Cheryl. Hope you were traveling.