Thanks for entering the “Natural Cathedral” to offer your comments and votes of support! This photo is by far the highest scoring photo in the 23 challenges I’ve entered (previous highest scoring photo was in Surrealism with a 6.085 for “Benedictus”). One of my goals each challenge (besides the creative fun of digital photography) is to attempt to beat my AVR (average vote received) which currently stands at 4.8375.
A few post-challenge notes regarding “Natural Cathedral”:
1) The original photo: taken in a cottonwood “planned-planted” tree farm (for use making wood pulp for paper near Umatilla, Oregon. The title is a bit oxymoronic, as the real forest is human-planted, and the colors are largely due to post-processing.
2) Post-processing: thanks to my teenage computer-savy son, Zoomdak, who took his “dorkdad” through a detailed hands on tutorial in Photoshop teaching me how to use the lasso tool, how to feather and other P/S techniques of hue/saturation, color balance mixing.
3) Fantasy: in classical musical, a “fantasie” is a freeform instrumental piece which explores the world beyond the senses, the romantic, bizarre or fantastical realm of the imagination. I’m not a fan of excessive P/S post-processing, but I am a big fan of the human imagination, the realm I sought to evoke with this photo.
Thanks again for your kindness and support. My “comments received” have raced way ahead of my “comments made”. I have some DPC commenting to attend to before the next challenge!
Statistics
Place: 4 out of 507 Avg (all users): 7.3398 Avg (commenters): 8.4348 Avg (participants): 7.3333 Avg (non-participants): 7.3636 Views since voting: 39156 Views during voting: 519 Votes: 256 Comments: 86 Favorites: 139 (view)
I just put this is in my fanvourites again after being reminded about it in the thread. It is truly beautiful. Just came back from Alberta where I photographed white trunk poplars in the fall; just inspiring!
I saw this photo a few weeks ago, but didn't put it in my favs folder until now. (I had to see who did the monochromatic theme for PEAS! and found it again.) This would make a beautiful print.
This has to be one of the very "BEST" examples of "Perspective" that one could ever find on the DPC site.....
It is also a great image as well..... I just love it.
I knew this tree farm would be a great shot. I drive by it at least once or twice a year going to Spokane or Boise. You did a great job. I don't think I've seen them this bright and colorful. Once again, nice work...........ace
I can't believe you said that... I saw this shot and said the same thing to my wife right before I read your comment. Anyway great shot Charlie and Ace maybe one of these one of us will shoot this as well.
I knew this tree farm would be a great shot. I drive by it at least once or twice a year going to Spokane or Boise. You did a great job. I don't think I've seen them this bright and colorful. Once again, nice work...........ace
I posted a comment earlier, but needed to share with you my renewed ambition to achieve higher scores - thanks to your submission & your comments about your AVR. My current AVR is in between 4-5 in my 3 submissions so far. At first I was very discouraged, but knew that through perserverence and some self-congratulations on relatively good shots (albeit not suited for challenge material at that particular time), I could come up with a winner too.
I guess I just wanted to say again how much I have enjoyed your photo and how much encouragement your comments have given me. Thank you.
Congrats! You got the coveted "green" ribbon for an evocative image. Now you know close up why they call it green. LOL. You'll catch that upstart kid of yours yet! :)
you had a good teacher! and you learned well. I too, loved this picture when I first saw it and considering the competition, your vision was superb. Good one.
Quite an interesting color play but in general it all works together. The alchemy is complete to bring forth a forceful but beautiful impression. Congratulations on your 4th placing.
Well I was impressed by the processing on this before I looked at the original - but sheesh - that's some serious ps wizardry. Great composition too. Well done, congrats ont he great score.
Congratulations on your 4th placing. This photo brings mixed feelings - when I first saw the thumbnail, I thought, "Wow, I mustn't miss scoring this one." (I only managed 63% voting). On seeing it full-size, it somehow gives a strong feeling of claustrophobia. On the other hand, it's a place a would like to go walking through. Anyway, I gave it 9. I like the colours.
That's fantastic. I've been very intrigued by the unnatural regularity of the Christmas tree farms here in Oregon. I haven't seen a tree farm like this though. Absolutely beautiful. Great job!
What does your son know about trees?
He couldn't have helped you - no rocks here! (LOL - just kidding!)
Beautiful image and a scene I would expect to see in Lord of the Rigs (or similar) - Congrats David!
Wow! Yes this does feel like a cathedral. I love the way the marks on the trees form a line down to the end of the row. Of course the colors are what really make this stand out. Very special image.
Comment on the photo: beautiful colors, looks like pure gold. 8.
Comment on the title (not affecting the score): this is not naturally occuring in nature - someone planted those trees...
Well seen!!!, Wonderful composition, though I would have prefered a tighter crop so the first trees were the natural frame for the picture. But other than that this is a beautiful picture ... thanks for sharing it with us :))
ouuhh, this is erie. those colors are almost creepy. i don't know why, but i just can't look at something like this without thinking 'blair witch'. nicely seen! good luck!
Hmm, something tells me that the hand of man has been involved somewhere 'along the line' here ; )
Beautiful colouring on the leaves. Unfortunate that the ground is a bit drab in comparison, but still a well composed, strong shot.
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