When you're in a mountain town way above sea level and the sun is dancing in and out of clouds that intermittently drift flurries over the quiet historic streetscape, you find yourself reaching for the camera very quickly when things brighten up. You may have a mere few seconds to meter, compose and shoot. And if you hesitate, you may not have a chance to come back to whatever scene captured your eye in the first place, because what looks captivating in gentle sun isn't so memorable when the light fades and the flakes threaten to fly into your lens.
So when the sun came out on these tree trunks (they look like silver birch, but I'm hardly an expert), I rather liked the way the surface was painted by the light. The light in Georgetown was different than any I'd ever previously experienced. It was soft, almost gentle in the way it touched the town. Surfaces weren't so much illuminated as they were bathed.
I bet I was the only person who took pictures of these trees on that day. I bet the few passers-by who saw me compose this shot still think I was feeling loopy from the altitude.
Your turn: Have you ever taken pictures of trees just because?
Trees are one of my favorite subjects and I love it when you capture a true pure glimpse into their beauty as you have done here.
ReplyDeleteI think birch trees make awesome photos.....great shot!
When they are as beautiful as these birch, yes. Lovely photo. Birch are remarkable trees. Because they carry so much water in their veins they are more likely to bend and break than others but they also are, far and away, the most stunning after snow and ice. I have a "birch bark" postcard written from camp when my daughter was young.
ReplyDeleteNot only have I taken pictures of trees, "just because"; I have recently taken a picture of a tree, just because I thought of "what would Carmi photograph."
ReplyDeletegosh, i haven't been over here in so long cause of nablopomo... it's been loooooong month! i'll be spending december catching up with everyone!
ReplyDeleteanyway.. i have a writing dilemma on my blog about a paper i need to write... if you have any ideas/suggestions, i would greatly appreciate your input!
thanks!
Actually yes I have taken pictures of trees - big huge gorgeous redwoods - talk about texture, color and beauty. This picture should be framed and hung on your wall - love the look.
ReplyDeleteTons! but not as close-up as yours...
ReplyDeleteYou certainly do have an eye for the unusual, Carmi. What a great shot! And yes, I love to capture trees...they're filled with such energy and many times that's transposed into the photo....like yours is.
ReplyDeleteOh, treees! We take so many pictures of trees around here - in fact Canadian Mark has a collection of pics of the same tree in different seasons, lighting, degree of inclemency in the weather...
ReplyDeleteAnother hilarious edition of Your Turn. But the answer is yes. I have a love for forests.
ReplyDeleteIndeed I have Carmi...Palm trees in Hawaii and L.A., and trees in my garden, etc., etc...
ReplyDeleteI love the look of Birch Trees...something about that bark is so very special...!
It's funny, when I reasd the name Georgetown...I thought, oh he was in Washington, D.C. LOL...Of course when I went to your pictures I saw it was a whole other Georgetown....BEAUTIFUL photographs of this other Georgetown, too..Carmi!
I have always loved Birch Trees and photographs of trees in general...especially set in moody black and white landscapes.
ReplyDeleteI thought I would make a visit. Here via Claire's Being Me Blog.
We'll stop in again...
Of course, I have. And you prompted me to do it!
ReplyDeleteI share the same believes as you do too, and I think that you're pieces of work are great!
ReplyDeleteOh, and by the way, I'm from Singapore and was just blog hopping when i landed on your site. I love your photos very much.
Cheers, and smile always!
-Ian.
First the trees are lovely - you have such an amazing eye.
ReplyDeleteSecond, and please forgive the correction, but they're not birch. You were in Colorado. They're aspen. (I used to live in *that* Georgetown, used to sled down the switchbacks on the way to Guanela Pass, ice skated on the reservoir.) But I can see why you might /think/ they were birch.
Oh, and, third. I take pictures of trees all the time. I just don't share them because my photography skills are suckful.
ReplyDeleteYes, just this morning in fact. Loved the way the colors were, light green drooping limbs with soft looking leaves, covering the same type only in yellow. I hope they come out as good as they looked. We will find out when I get home. If they didn't perhaps I will get another chance tomorrow morning.
ReplyDeleteWe also finally got some color on our trees here. Hope that last thru the weekend, when I can go out and snap away.
I'm getting kinda used to the way people look at me when I take pictures. I smile and wave at them.
Birch trees are great subjects, Carmi. When young they're fresh and pretty and when old and gnarled they have so much dark character in their textured bark.
ReplyDeleteConstantly! I spent a good amount of my childhood hanging out in trees, and I've maintained that affinity as an adult. I love photographing them, and try to compose my shots so their personalities shine through like you did with the birch bark.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm going to have to give this more thought...