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Golden Tree


Golden Tree
Photo Information
Copyright: Niek Bouwen (SunToucher) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2379 W: 216 N: 2874] (10473)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-30
Categories: Trees
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro, Tiffen 82mm UV
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Sallandse Heuvelrug, Your favorites [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-05-17 10:47
Viewed: 1402
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
While walking through a forrest area at the Archemerberg, I noticed how the morning sun created these warm colors on the beech tree. It really illuminated the new spring leaves and also casted some nice soft shadows.

I don't have that much to write about this photo, because it had more to do with seeing it than with any specific techniques. I did do some research on the tree and its relation with humans. The following information is from www.the-tree.org.uk

The mystery of the people's relationship to the Beech

Despite the fact that this is obviously a magnificent tree, there is nothing like the same treasure of myth and folklore passed on to us, as we have received about our other major trees. A meagre mention that the tree was sacred to Zeus and that the Greeks saw the Beech as a symbol of prosperity. A short reference that ancient tribal people like the Franks and the Achaeans consulted the Beech as an oracle. A scholarly note that the Germanic tribes inscribed their early books on it. An official line stating that it is the emblem of Denmark. But there appears to be very little continued living tradition of lore (in the British Isles or in my native country of the Netherlands), as there is for so many other of our prominent trees, which tells us of the relationship country people had with the Beech.

Even that classic tome of treelore "The Golden bough" (A study in magic and religion by Sir James George Frazer, 1922) has only three short references to the Beech. The first tells us that the Beech, like other trees, was seen as an embodiment of the Goddess of the wild woodlands, Diana. Frazer writes: ".... even in the time of Pliny a noble Roman used thus to treat a beautiful beech-tree in the sacred grove of Diana on the Alban hills. He embraced it, kissed it, he lay under its shadow, he poured wine on its trunk. Apparently he took the tree for the goddess."
The second reference reminds us that make a mistake if we picture ancient Italy in historical times as a land with an unbroken forest of oaks: "Theophrastus has left us a description of the woods of Latium as they were in the fourth century before Christ. He says: "The land of the Latins is all moist. The plains produce laurels, myrtles and wonderful beeches; for they fell trees of such a size that a single stem suffices for the keel of a Tyrrhenian ship."
The third reference concerns the use of a tall, slim beech-tree as the centre for the bonfire on the first Sunday in Lent, in the Eifel mountains. Such fires were at one time common practice throughout Europe and are part of the early Spring Festival of "The stirring of the seed", better known these days as Imbolc, Candlemas and related to Valentine's Day. The fire symbolised the active transformation from the 'death' of winter to the beginning of spring. The seed was felt to be 'stirring', and the cracking of the seed (germination) was encouraged with festivities and carnivals, also in the hope thereby to increase fertility.

I had to use the save for web option, since the richness of the colors made me loose a lot of quality. For that reason, there is no EXIF data. But here it goes anyway:

Shutter speed: 1/160
aperture: F7.1
ISO: 200
Focal length: 70mm
dew77, delic, SkyF, scottevers7, PaulH, bobcat08, Signal-Womb, hester, pablominto has marked this note useful
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To PaulH: HonoredSunToucher 1 05-18 11:47
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2234 W: 188 N: 1912] (8073)
  • [2007-05-17 11:00]

Hi Niek,
Very nice compsotion I love how the light floods through this tree and illuminates the forrest.
POV, lighting and colors are wonderful.
Nice natural framing by the dark trees.
TFS..Sky

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4635 W: 248 N: 4025] (13237)
  • [2007-05-17 11:03]

Hello Niek,
Magnificent capture.POV,use of light,framing and composition are wonderful.Excellent work!
TFS..:-)

Hallo Niek,

Wat heb je nu toch weer een schitterende foto op het web gezet. Mooie BG. POV is helemaal oké. Ook op de compositie is niets op aan te merken. Kleuren en stijl :) Kortom "Een plaatje" Bedankt Bob

  • Great 
  • Seiei Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 24 W: 0 N: 30] (121)
  • [2007-05-17 11:39]

Hi Niek,

Seems that you've found a tree of the Lothlorien (Lord of the ring ;))
Well done, nice contrast of colors !

Regards, Christophe

Hi, Niek, very beautiful picture indeed. Fantastic light you manage to capture, nice soft colours that blends in very well together.

TFS, Anders.

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 449 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-05-17 16:54]
  • [+]

Hello Niek,
I always find it hard to photograph in the woods. This one is nice, esp. the composition with the bordering trees. The glowing leaves due to backlighting(?) surround the silhouetted trunk nicely. I wonder how underexposing by a stop would work. Regards,
Hakan

  • Great 
  • mbasil Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 336 W: 149 N: 745] (3304)
  • [2007-05-17 17:22]

Very unique, but very effective. I guess it's all about the shape and light. Well done!
Mike

Hi Niek,
The tree almost glows in that nice quality light. I like the way you have created a natural frame with the other tree trunks. Beautiful composition of light and shadow.
Scott

Hi Niek

I would love to see the orginal. it is just great. the colours and lighting are excellent with the backlit leaves, something I love. Excellent.

Evrythign here has just gone to that wonderful spring green colour...

TFS
Emma

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3762] (13407)
  • [2007-05-18 4:10]
  • [+]

Hi Niek,

a great example of contrast working to it's fullest potential here. As Hakan said, it almost seem to glow against the dark outlines of the branches and tree trunks. It really reminds me of the New Forest near where i live. It's often very hard to make a shot in the woods that looks great in real life translate to a photograph. I really like this, so one for my favourites, thanks!

Paul

Hi Niek ,
what a nice shot with amazing light.
well composed and great sharpness.
lovely shot.
thanks for sharing
Regards
Saeed

  • Great 
  • mrcrow Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 428 W: 114 N: 193] (3002)
  • [2007-05-19 16:50]

aptly titled and framed well by other darker trees..it made me think of the golden fleece story
forest floor detail is good and no paths to 'civilise' the shot
cheers
geof

Hi Niek, I like the light and the tranquility here, well framed and good atmosphere, well seen.

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-05-20 8:45]

Hello Niek

Very well composed with the trees framing the subject on either side.It gives the viewer the feeling they are discovering the golden tree in a special place.The illumination is amazing.Excellent focus and details.A lovely gem with a magical feel.TFS

Rob
;) BL

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2007-05-22 16:16]

Hi Niek

It really does look golden, great backlighting. Excellent light and composition.

TFS

Karan

Hello Niek,
This is the kind of scenery I'm always looking for... but so seldom come across!
The strong backlight is well managed, and the contrasty tree trunks makes the image!
Greetings,
Pablo -

:-) OK-

This is a really nice photo of this glowing beech tree,Niek. You didn't lose detail in the lights or shadow areas... despite the high contrast of values. I am not too familiar with the beech tree. The other day we ordered a new dining room table and beech was one of the wood choices. We were told that it is really popular for furniture in Europe. It was too pale to go with the rest of my furnishings but seems to be a nice even grained wood.

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