In my photography I've started thinking about "how I can make things look longer or taller." I think the right crop might be the answer. The two photos today are examples of my pursuit of this idea. I've always loved vertical landscapes which comes from my interest in vertical Japanese woodblock prints like the ones by Utagawa Hiroshige. I think the particular crop in these two photos, which is a vertical 16X9, creates this effect nicely. It makes the main subject of tall trees look even taller in my mind. It "heightens" their already magnanimous stature. I also used various textures and effects.
What I find really funny is that the main tree in the photo on the left is significantly smaller that the tall tree in the photo on the right. It's more of an overgrown shrub, actually, that is about 12 ft tall compared to the large tree on the right which must be about 50 ft tall. But again, I think the crop really goes a long way to lengthen this tree. Hope you enjoy.
What do you think? Is the crop pleasing to your eye? Or is it just too much?
3 WINTER HAIKU
Winter ice on trees
glitters like festive tinsel
under morning sun
***
When days are shorter
fiercely blows the winter wind
piling snow in drifts
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Frigid air on skin
Persistent chill burrows deep
Winter wet and cold
POEM FOR LATE AUTUMN(*composition date unknown most likely sometime between 2007-2009)
Skeletal beauty
Parade of bones
Rooted in mire
Grasping heaven
A bridge between divine and profane
Waiting for winters blanket
Redemption in white
Covering past sins
Peace and rest in a season of sleep
*while I don't remember when this was written I do know it was inspired by a line "snow falling, falling like forgiveness from the sky" in the song "Darling Christmas is Coming" by Over The Rhine from the album SNOW ANGELS (2006)https://youtu.be/IinpwBPwRZI
Looks like we will have snow for Christmas here in Ohio. I honestly can’t remember the last time we had a white Christmas. Well with everything going on this past year the holidays are somewhat melancholic. One of my favorite “mood” singers is Julia Fordham. Here is her song DECEMBER 24TH originally from a 1995 compilation album Winter Fire & Snow: Songs For The Holiday Season that featured various artists from around the world.
The lyrics will take you through the rest of this year into the new year. Enjoy.
“just goes to show ya, just goes to show ya, none of us have time to waste….you don’t always get back what you give”
Since Winter has long been a favorite time of year – because this old bear enjoys hibernation – and I had “need” to go out and see what snow cover there might be – I decided to head out this morning, with my camera, as the sun rose slowly in a clouded sky. I went to one park where I’ve been spending a lot of time the past few months and I went someplace I’ve never been to in Winter. And since the Winter Solstice is just around the corner I decided to post a couple of snow photos of the place I’ve never been to in Winter. Over the Summer and fall this location is used as a popular outdoor music venue and is also the site of an outdoor theater where plays are staged over the warmer months. The areas you see in the photos would be the grassy fields where cars park and concert goers would then walk to the main venue. The music venue has hosted all the major rock and pop acts over the years. I’d seen a few shows here but ticket prices were normally out of my budget. I actually prefer it as you see it here – empty. Never really got used to the large drunken crowds that tended to populate these events. So enjoy my version of “winter fest” at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, OH.
... on being and becoming ... 