Melanie Hurwitz
December 2025 - African Tree
Original
About the Image(s)
I was taken with the graceful lines of this tree. It looked almost like a dancer to me. It was probably pushed over by an elephant at some point. I thought the good sky would add to making an interesting picture.
Converted using a Life pixel action. Levels to check tonal range. Converted and toned in Photoshop. Select color for contrast and Topas AI to sharpen.
Sony AII ISO 200, F11, 1/50 100mm
14 comments posted
Melanie
Trees are in this month and I am liking it.
Good Sky - Check
Graceful tree shape - Check
Good to Go - Check
As Palli liked to say "Top Marks to You" Melanie
Emil Posted: 12/01/2025 20:20:58
Trees are in this month and I am liking it.
Good Sky - Check
Graceful tree shape - Check
Good to Go - Check
As Palli liked to say "Top Marks to You" Melanie
Emil Posted: 12/01/2025 20:20:58
Thanks for the kind words Emil Posted: 12/02/2025 03:22:52
Hi Melanie
Your image and despriction says it all. Beautiful piece of work. Having said that I took the image into PS and did some minor adjustments. Reworked version attached to see what you think!! Posted: 12/02/2025 05:48:12
Your image and despriction says it all. Beautiful piece of work. Having said that I took the image into PS and did some minor adjustments. Reworked version attached to see what you think!! Posted: 12/02/2025 05:48:12
Hi Palli, I'm so pleased that you are visiting our group. Thank you for working on my image. Improved to say the least! Posted: 12/12/2025 16:03:46
Hi Melanie. I get the same feelings about the tree as you described. I photograph trees with the standard camera, phone, IR camera, and drone. The shape makes it stand out. The clouds add to the mood and beauty. I would cover that small white area above the tree. Nicely seen and composed. Posted: 12/02/2025 15:01:23
Thanks Arik, I did not notice it until you pointed it out. Darkening it will make a difference. Posted: 12/12/2025 16:05:23
Melanie, to take a portrait of a tree is challenging. Yours is an elderly tree that welcomes the viewer to compare it to photographs of the weathered faces of elderly people. You captured this equivalence. My only comment has to do with the separation between the ground and the leftside branches of the tree. But that's essential to the image? Posted: 12/02/2025 16:08:29
Thanks Chuck. You really do have a way with words. Posted: 12/12/2025 16:06:15
This image tells a story, which you mentioned in your description. I like the "sepia" feel to the image. The only suggestion is to darken the lower corners to mimic a vignette and keep focus on the subject(tree).
Posted: 12/02/2025 21:05:46
Posted: 12/02/2025 21:05:46
Thanks Steve. Good suggestion. Posted: 12/12/2025 16:07:07
Hi Melanie,
Lovely composition. Your crop works beautifully here. I agree that you need to deal with the bright spot above the tree but otherwise it's a strong image. Posted: 12/08/2025 18:48:15
Lovely composition. Your crop works beautifully here. I agree that you need to deal with the bright spot above the tree but otherwise it's a strong image. Posted: 12/08/2025 18:48:15
Thanks Henry Agreed Posted: 12/12/2025 16:07:33
The tree does have some personality, Melanie. I think it would present better with a bit more contrast, but it's nice even so. Posted: 12/08/2025 23:48:43
Thanks Jack I did go back and forth with the contrast. Posted: 12/12/2025 16:08:08