Allaire Tree

[denise ippolito]

I used the 15mm fish-eye lens for this. I added Topaz Simplify and masked back in some details at a low opacity. Taken at Allaire SP.

[denise ippolito]

And here is my B&W version that I added some gradient filters to the BG. Which do you prefer?

[Nick Palmieri]

No contest for me, the B&W version is the clear cut winner. On my monitor the left side bark appears a little dark. Other than that this is super cool!

[denise ippolito]

Here is a version w/ the trunk lightened.

[Nancy Bell]

I prefer view 1. I feel like I could be relaxing at the base of the truck and just watching the leaves straight up on a sunny fall day. Pane 4 is moody and I don't want to be relaxing under this tree :(. Makes me think of Halloween and a big scary tree in a scary cemetary! But the effect is cool.

[Nick Palmieri]

Great re-post, must be my deep dark personality that attracts me to the dark side...

[denise ippolito]

Nick and Nancy, Thank you both for your comments. I appreciate them both.
Nick I like the repost better-thanks for your suggestions. I always knew you had a dark side:p
Nancy, I agree w/ your thoughts regarding the different moods of the image.:o

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Denise,

Greetings. Hard for me to choose between the two as I like each for different reasons. The OP is beautiful. I particularly like the color and the stain glass look of the lower right quadrant.

The repost in pane #4 is also very interesting and more "moody". To my eye the sky portions would benefit from a bit darker tone particularly just to the right of center and the upper left corner (which draw my eye).

Thanks for posting both versions.

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Indranil Sircar]

Denise, I like both for different reasons. Firstly, I love the perspective. Secondly, I like the colors of the original posting which is true to the theme of fall colors. I like the effect of topaz simplify on the leaves. The blue sky makes it particularly interesting. The repost on #4 changes the mood completely. Your choice of monochromatic color gives the sense of warmth and balance. Beautifully done.

[Myer Bornstein]

I perfer the colored version, more like fall. The B&W one is also great but doesn't turn me on

[Anita Bower]

I prefer the first one, but then, I'm a color person. Love the angle you chose and the excellent pp. You have detail where it counts, such as on the trunk, and the Simplify effect up among the leaves. Very nicely done!

[Andrew McLachlan]

Denise, I was going to go with the first posted image, but seeing the repost of the B&W I would have to say I like it a little better than the original. What I like the most though is how you framed the tree in the composition. Excellent eye!

[Judy Howle]

I think the original is fantastic! The repost #2 is very nice too but I love the fall colors and blue sky. I love the view, WOW! Makes me want a fisheye!

[Arthur Morris]

No contest for me. I love the image in Pane 1. Alot. You are killing with that lens. Are you glad that you borrowed it ? :)

[Christopher Miller]

The B&W version for me. Both look great, but something about the B&W one really draws me in. Maybe it's because I'm such a monochrome guy! :D I love the perspective and you framed the image perfectly. Very nicely done.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Oh, gosh, Denise, I love pane #1. The colors are gorgeous, the perspective is so interesting and I love the stained glass look.

[denise ippolito]

Wow Thank you all for your kind comments. I didn't think it would be so divided.
Artie liked the color one and I liked the monochromatic one.
Christopher, I knew you would like the second one. Everyone else was a guess.:)
and yes Artie I am glad I borrowed it. Still have a bit more time...:)

[Arthur Morris]

What's crazy here is that most folks have a clear fave. I do not like the second one no way no how yet some folks are bongo over it. You gotta love it :)

[denise ippolito]

I love the second one and like the first one. BUT I do love that lens!!!!;)

[Nick Palmieri]

I love b&w,especially simple images like this. They remind me of when I was a teenager and used to take pictures and run back to my darkroom and develop them. I was even doing some toning at the time. I think that is really why this one just jumps out at me...I am also surprised at the strong division here of opinions...

[Kerry Perkins]

Great thread! I like them both Denise but the first one is the one for me. It's not even a color versus duo-tone issue, I just think the amazing variety of colors in the first one adds so much dimensionality to the image that it makes it a clear winner in my book. You can even see this in the trunk, which to me has more perceived detail in the color version. Plus, I'm with Anita about color. Love it. Used to work for Technicolor. ;)

Either one you choose you are a winner. I love the way you are using that lens.

[Stephen Earle]

Second one for me. The repost of it rocks!

[denise ippolito]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback.