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Hope


Hope
Photo Information
Copyright: Francine Malo (NinaM) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 566 W: 0 N: 1388] (4593)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-02
Categories: Trees
Camera: Canon EOS 40 D, Canon 100 f2.8 Macro
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/3000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Happy New Year 2008 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-12-30 12:01
Viewed: 553
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I never thought I would post this photograph. At the time I took it, I was just playing with the sun to see the effects it gives with the lens. When I first saw it on my computer, I liked the mood of it, it's a strange mixture of a tropical postcard mixed with hope, like looking ahead into the future, like the "eve" of something...

At the eve of a new year hope is at the menu. So is recollecting the most important events of the year as is looking ahead with wonders and hoping everything will be fine. Which takes me back to this picture.

These are the needles of a pine tree. Everytime I look at the pine tree I look at a miracle and at the beauty of the world. I love those trees.

I read a book written by David Suzuki, a well-known zoologist and ecological activist in Canada, called "Tree: A Life Story" which tells the story of a BC Fir tree from the moment it is fertilized to the end, its death. He tells the tree's own personal life and all its interaction with its environment, all the care, protection, nurishment it distributes to those around it.

It made me realize how much we take the trees for granted and at what point we don't know much about them. Well, I don't. Most of the people I know don't either. Who can identify all the trees in a forest and tell us their stories? Not many of us.

Did you know that some species of pines need a forest fire in order to "free" their seeds? The cones won't open unless a certain heat is attained. The sequoia trees do the same thing, their cones have to heat up to 50 to 60 degrees Centigrade. It means that those giant trees free their seeds at a temperature hot enough to kill them. Some pine trees burn and die in the process and their seeds take the relay.

David Suzuki tells that the forest of the West Coast of America have gone through fires every 200 or 300 years in the past and that those big trees have survived and now fill the forest we contemplate, enjoy or... destroy. He tells about the whole cycle of fire and birth in the forests, about all the nutriments found in the ashes in order to nourish the small seeds to become trees.

Since I have read that book, I'm even more in love with the pine trees (there are no BC Fir in Quebec!).

They have two kind of cones, a male and a female cone. The male one is smaller and, at spring usually, we can see the dust created by the liberation of the pollen of the male cones in evergreen forests. The first time I witnessed that phenomenon, I thought there was a rally in the village to explain all the dust falling on us and everything. I went to the lake on the same day and from afar, I could see the pine trees releasing pollen, like a big puff of brown smoke raising over the forest. Or like Indian signals from one tribe to another ;-)...

Even though that at the eve of 2008 we hear about ecology, north pole melting, Kyoto, pollution, violence, war, hatedness and all the like, I wish you peace at heart and to keep hope very strong inside of it. I feel we have to hope and have faith in the future, in the children adults-to-be. In the face of all the destruction we witness through television and Internet, let's remind to ourselves the pine cones needing lots of transformation in order to relive again. Even when we think it is destroyed, it is still so much alive.

Even though it is hard not to become cynical in face of all this, I trust the next generations to become part of a better world. Let's hope together and give them strength and faith in themselves. Let's keep our hearts open.

Happy New Year 2008!!

Francine

Resized for TN
I added a little bit of saturation in Photoshop Elements
eqshannon, wahclella, claudine, loot, gondox, Adanac, Luis52, dkaved, marhowie, amcolli, Heaven has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Heaven: La neige qui chatouilleNinaM 1 01-22 07:21
To eqshannon: Had to replyNinaM 1 01-08 20:03
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1003 W: 6 N: 2707] (10057)
  • [2007-12-30 12:10]

Thanks for this nice pic,a perfect imagine to think at the year that we will leave and at the hope for 2008..i wish you a happy new year,Luciano

Two things...Number one it is not only a grand image, but a wonderful philosophical read. Now the second thing is a minor flaw. It is a small piece dead center on the bottom of the frame, HOWEVER and this is important...because the image and philosophy are so perfect, your concept would be pious in some traditions..so your piece of whatever is the way you celebrate the creator.
Persian rug makers were deeply religious and believed that only God could make something perfect so they left a small flaw in their rugs. The very same is true for Navajo Indian weaver in their rugs. I have a large one hanging on the wall here at he place and people always point it out, which gives me a reason to explain the native philosophy.....
so...your small digital leftovers are a perfect, imperfection. How does thee like them apples...?
Bob

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1033 W: 26 N: 2998] (10820)
  • [2007-12-30 12:55]

Hi Nina,
it was nice reading somebody else's thoughts that echo my own so strongly :o) And i think the image is perfect for them too, both in that it signifies the Pine Trees of what you speak, and the bright, ambient light portrays that important feeling of hope too. A very nice posting, many thanks.
Happy New Year to you.
Paul

Hello and Happy New Year Francine,
First of all the note that you have devoted to the image is one speech that many peoples should sit down and read and seriously contemplate before their selfishness toward their own individual needs or greed continues to play into the final scene of "Humanity" upon Earth's stage.
The dark, strong features of the pine appear even stronger and more resilient with the lighter sun as the backdrop. A fine image to begin the New Year...
Steve

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5726 W: 605 N: 3416] (9137)
  • [2007-12-30 14:06]

Hi Francine

Thanks for your good wishes and for this lovely image. With appreciation for all the other wonderful postings you shared with us throughout the year and may there still be loads and loads of the same for the coming year.

As the New Year dawns…
may it open up more opportunities for you,
lead you unto the path of continued success,
happiness & good health.

A wonderful 2008 for YOU and your loved ones.

Best regards
Loot

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-12-30 16:41]

Hello Francine

A lovely shot that is very artistic.It has a nice visual impact.
The silhouetted pine bough against the setting sun is very natural looking.
A wonderful composition.
I think along with your notes this is a poignant posting.
TFS
A very Happy and fruitful 2008

Rob

  • Great 
  • gondox Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 58 N: 221] (1133)
  • [2007-12-30 17:14]

The mood is what makes this photo so good, just like you said! Superb soft image. The little 'thing' in the bottom could have been removed though but it's not in the center of attention anyway.
I have to admit this is the first time I didn't read all the way but marked the note useful. The amount you wrote deserves it anyway ;) My excuse is 2 o'clock in the night, I hope you understand.

Happy new year!
Regards,
Andor

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1049 W: 1 N: 4160] (13980)
  • [2007-12-30 17:35]

Hi Franchine,
Very artist image with beautiful notes what a great contribution to this site. Thanks Franchine and Happy New Year.
Rick

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1022 W: 5 N: 2802] (10144)
  • [2007-12-30 17:41]

Hi Nina.- Exelent photo, and a great note too. I think that trees are one of our best friends here in earth. We shoud appreciate more what they do for Us.
saludos Nina. and I hope You have a happy new year too.
Luis52.

Salut Francine,
C'est vraiment très beau comme photo avec une excellente composition et exposition. Tes notes sont inspirantes et instructives. Merci!
Claudine

  • Great 
  • RP1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 165 W: 1 N: 124] (1982)
  • [2008-01-02 13:22]

Salut Nina,
Quel chaleureux soleil. A cette période de l'année, ce soleil est bienvenue. Ça me fat penser aux vacance.

Bonne année et beaucoup de photo pour 2008,
Roger

Hi Francine,
A lovely note...I really enjoyed reading it both for its content and emotion.It certainly matched the emotion of the image and I can see why you felt affected.As a father of two young girls I also hope that the world will be a place happy and loving to grow into.Happy New Year to you and yours.
Regards, David

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1330 W: 107 N: 4816] (21378)
  • [2008-01-10 7:34]

Bonjour Francine, tu es de retour ! :-) Bravo pour cette magnifique composition, j'aurais cru que tu arrivais de Cuba ! C'est vraiment bien vu et bien fait, merci !

Mario

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1029 W: 0 N: 90] (7745)
  • [2008-01-11 16:11]

Hi Francine
Good composition. Good colours and POV. Also long and good note.
Well done

osse

Hi Francine,
Impressionistic image, I like it.
Thought provoking notes with a positive tone..
"Let's keep our hearts open", there is hope :)
Howard

dear francine, this is really a deeply thoughtful picture , thank you alsofor a very comprehensive and interesting (useful) note
anna

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1318 W: 52 N: 1782] (5276)
  • [2008-01-14 23:22]

Bonjour Nina !
Premièrement, je tiens à dire que la note est superbe, j'ai adoré ! Ensuite, la photo est magnifique elle aussi. Toute simple, mais magnifique quand même. la lumière, les couleurs, et ce sapin en ombre chinoise... C'est plein de poésie et ça fait rêver, et le titre convient tout à fait. Félicitations !
Valerie.

Bonjour Francine

Merci pour tes bons voeux et tes réflexions dans ton texte si agréable à lire. Gardons l'espoir que tu as si bien symbolisé avec ta photo très réussie! En plus, j'espère bientôt voir la photo de neige promise... Je me réjouis!

Amitiés

Markus

Nice shot. So simple and peacefull. The titles gives soul to it. Good choice.
Tfs
Ilias

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