Dave Ficke
July 2024 - Ghost Forest
About the Image(s)
This is a photo from my trip to Yellowstone - I saw this f
orest where a fire had gone through and looked interesting.
This is a 5 shot pano using a Nikon D850, ISI 125 using a 24-70mm lens at 38mm, f11, and 1/320 second. Hand held.
Post stitched images together in LR, cropped, adjusted shadows and some contrast - cut down on whites a bit and some sharpening.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted
Dave, I can't think of a more appropriate title for this image. It is desolate and lonely. But tells a story. It makes me want to ask questions....like was it a controlled burn, was it caused by a tourist that was careless, or. a lightening strike? So many variables.
I've always had an interest in conservation, and fear that the destruction is most likely unrepairable. That has been brought home over the past 2 months with our weather issues. Our Great Grandchildren will be forced to explore outside Mother Earth, since we have past the point of no return, I think. It would be a great image for conservation groups! thanks for sharing.
May I ask why you did it as a Pano? Was it related to your location and ability to get far enough away? It is a striking photo with a message! Thanks for sharing.
Posted: 07/12/2024 18:59:50
I've always had an interest in conservation, and fear that the destruction is most likely unrepairable. That has been brought home over the past 2 months with our weather issues. Our Great Grandchildren will be forced to explore outside Mother Earth, since we have past the point of no return, I think. It would be a great image for conservation groups! thanks for sharing.
May I ask why you did it as a Pano? Was it related to your location and ability to get far enough away? It is a striking photo with a message! Thanks for sharing.
Posted: 07/12/2024 18:59:50
I just thought a pano does a better job of giving the viewer a button experience in the view. Yes I did thank some individual shots to show a closer view of a few trees, but I thought they lacked the expansive story. Posted: 07/12/2024 19:51:02
On our recent trip to Yellowstone, we also saw a few areas that had been burned and in the recovery phase. I like the image as it shows the destruction of the mature trees and yet the floor of the area is regrowing vegetation. So the image can evoke a sense of hope. I was also wondering about the stitching, were the photos in portrait format to get all of the tree height? I like the image and think you've done a great job of conveying the starkness of the area after a fire, whether human or lightning caused. Posted: 07/12/2024 20:00:28
Sherry and Dave pretty much nailed it vis-a-vis your title, and the fact that it's a great story of desolation and starkness that includes a sense of hope - good for you.
From a purely photographic standpoint perhaps a lower perspective shooting up at the trees and including the tops of the trees may have been more dramatic, but still a nice job. Posted: 07/21/2024 22:17:37
From a purely photographic standpoint perhaps a lower perspective shooting up at the trees and including the tops of the trees may have been more dramatic, but still a nice job. Posted: 07/21/2024 22:17:37
Butch - As much as I appreciate your suggestion of getting lower, there is a distinct possibility that I might still be there now! Getting lower is usually not a problem, but getting back up, UGH. You are correct I should have gotten a bit lower. Posted: 07/30/2024 19:23:26
A strong image Dave that tells a definite story. Your use of a pano does show us more of the devastation. The green trees in the very background show us that all is not lost in this location. Nature will bring some trees and life back here, but it might just take a little time. After our devastating bush fires here a few years ago, it was really amazing to see the new life sprouting from trees such as these, in just a matter of 3 or 4 months. Your image shows us the cycle of life is always in motion. Posted: 07/23/2024 23:36:25
Ian - thank you - yes there beginning of recovery often times is very quick - weeks - and as much devastation that takes place, rebirth is just as exciting Posted: 07/25/2024 06:35:17
Great capture. I also believe the pano shot does tell a better story and the destruction of the trees. It also embodies the cycle of life and renewal in nature. Beautiful shot. Posted: 07/31/2024 21:55:37