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Last Maple Leaves


Last Maple Leaves
Photo Information
Copyright: Robert Shannon Sr (eqshannon) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2515 W: 216 N: 9403] (28005)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Black & White
Date Taken: 2006-10-28
Categories: Trees
Camera: Leica D-LUX 2
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-09-27 3:59
Viewed: 602
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
As we fall deeper into autumn's cooling embrace, we arrive at a time of mental transition. Muted in color, restrained in vibration, floating in space, receding — it invites us to contemplate the eternal cycles of nature from a point of sonic equilibrium within them. No matter where you are in the Northern Hemisphere , the arrival of autumn reveals the inescapable retreat of the sun. Colors decline to the somber, and the feeling of the season is darker as well. Slowing down after the active days of summer, we hang suspended for a moment, waiting for the feast and festival days to come.

Fall comes and goes at various times even in a small geologic area. We have new terms for every minute detail. The phenomenon would be now called "Micro-Climates" meaning many different climates in a small amount of territory which differs greatly from one to next.

This American Maple Tree loose all of its leaves before the snows some. Sometimes it snows first, but this is unusual. I do have a picture of snow on colored fall Oak leaves, but have not been able to find it. It was taken in 1974. In this picture, these are the last of the leaves on this tree. In color they are pale yellow, all most sickly looking against a deep blue sky. In B&W, the picture gives us a different perspective. Reality says this is a sad picture when seeing life but it a start contrast reminder in B&W, of a much colder and uninviting season coming.

I expect to critique many fall pictures of enormous color in the coming days, and from the southern countries where a reverse vortex takes control, I shall see as in Kathleen's pictures of sprouting buds, a completely different aspect. It will be as though I sit in my wilderness cabin in the dead of winter, browsing through seed catalogues as though I could hasten the coming of the sun. So I am a season ahead...and although not all leaves are gone yet....they will be soon as the winds blow from the north and the temperatures keep us inside, looking out.....wishing...and yet enjoying the howl of the wind and the beauty of a fresh fallen snow. With Vivaldi as my musical guide, I shall enjoy the four seasons....

fartash, cataclysta, jmirah, angybone, pankajbajpai, gracious, nglen, mecamich, Silke, Patleboss, Luis52, jaycee, CeltickRanger, parthasarathi, martic has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello dear Bob
Very nice shot of these Maple Leaves in B/W,
Perfect composition,lighting and contrast,
Superb shot,Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

Hi Bob
I like this shot very much. Composition is center but it looks very nice. The almost white leafs in the middle are great - it looks like lonely object in your wilderness. Black and white image creates a speciall mood, light is very nice and it looks great on BW photo. Great contrasts: white leafs, black branches and grey sky. Also fantastic note
Best wishes
Krzysztof

Hi Bob,
A fine B&W showcasing the bleakness of the coming Winter as the last vestage of Autumn hangs on to the very end. Great contrast and comp. Very well captured.

TFS
Jim

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2007-09-27 6:37]

Hi Bob,
A great moment captured in B/W. They evoke such strong feelings within me and make me nostalgic. Life is best seen in black & white. Superb lighting and lovely tones you have captured with immaculate sharpness. Excellent POV to portray this scene and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Wonderful presentation...there's almost a loneliness about this...lovely contrasts and perfect choice (b&w)

hello bob,
nice shot, the choice of monochrome suits here, well composed shot with fine pov, effective framing,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hello Bob,
I loved this composition of Autumn photo!
well captured with few leafs of maple on the tree that have so much mood that the end of Autumn coming, especially in a B/W version, trully a beautiful and artistic composition!
very well composed and well framed!
TFS
Tony

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2926 W: 34 N: 8678] (32334)
  • [2007-09-27 11:39]

Hi Bob. This one works in black and white.great shapes in the tree branches.making many patterns .a very nice compostion. great with the last few leaves. well done TFS. great notes to read.
Nick..
Thanks for the kind comments on our 36 years.

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2007-09-27 12:33]

Hello Bob,
a very nice shot.
+++ Great atmosphere produced from the B+W, perfect sharpness, great detail and a good composition. Those white leaves are perfect for setting this eerie atmosphere.
--- Nothing :)
Well done,
Joe

Bonjour Bob,et oui c'est l'automne!Cette photo le représente bien et le choix du noir et blanc est une ecxellente idée.Bravo et merci pour ce partage.
Mich

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 727 W: 98 N: 1694] (5406)
  • [2007-09-27 14:07]

I love the textures Bob
Great light and dark contrasts as well
TFs
silke

Hello Bob, splendi and romantic scene, black and white is a very good choice for this wonderfull composition,
cheer and thanks,
friendly,
Pat

Bonsoir Bob,magnifique photo j'aime bien l' idée du noir et blanc,bravo et merci de partager.Amicalement,Martine

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2007-09-27 14:55]

Hola Sr. Bob. Siempre me es agradable poder ver sus hermosas fotos. Esta en particular es una joya. Saludos Luis52.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-09-27 15:48]

Hi Bob,

This b&w is very effective and has a totally different feel than had it been in color. Leave a lot to the viewer's imagination. The composition is beautiful - as are the notes.

Jane

salut Bob

superbe photo mélancoloqie en tons de gris
(i prefer to tell graysacle (tons de gris) than black and withe)
qui représente parfaitement le mileu de l'automne
où sur les arbres il ne restera plus que quelques feuilles

TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2007-09-28 4:02]

Bob very nice shot and I like the composition and the lovely black frame. this is such a lovely shot which is quality for framing. Ganesh

Watching this picture I was thinking of my last two days in Press Trust of India (PTI) the office where I was working for.....

Hi Bob,
a beautiful romantic picture you show here, I like the environment of this photo
really a good shot
Thank you
friendly
Jean-Michel

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