The Archway

[JaneG]

Richly decorated with gold and bronze, the beech trees in Wandlebury wood are having a triumphal last hurrah before their winter dormancy. I love the cathedral arch of these beech trees, the canopy of leaves in summer is so thick that the woodland floor is dark and a bit claustrophobic. In Autumn the light breaks through the open canopy like it was shining through cathedral windows and dances on the woodland floor. The archway was looking spectacular last weekend.

I'm not the biggest fan of the distortion that comes from using a wide angle lens and the field of view is not always what I am after. I used one of my favourite portrait lenses today, the canon 135mmL, sitting the camera in the portrait aspect ratio. I made multiple shots with a 1/3 coverage between captures using a leveled tripod and stitched the images using PTGui.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Wonderful image and the narrative that goes with it. I am not so sure about including people at the far end however - I would clone if it was my image. Regardless a lovely fall image.

 

[AlanLichty]

I like this scene and the people at the end of the archway add a sense of scale to the setting. Beautiful fall color show - nicely done.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Jane,

What a nicely done image! That is some very cool gold color.

I rarely include people in my photos and if I was shooting I probably would have waited for them to be gone. But I do think it works here, the people add color and help tell a story. I think either way works, and I like your take on this.

 

[lionking]

This is an amazing scene, the colors and natural framing do wonders, very well captured, i think it works either way regarding human element, did you darken the edges or was that the lighting?

 

[JaneG]

This is an amazing scene, the colors and natural framing do wonders, very well captured, i think it works either way regarding human element, did you darken the edges or was that the lighting?

yes a little vignette as a finishing flourish

 

[BarryHamilton]

Thoroughly delightful and inviting image, Jane! Love the color, perspective and the hikers add a neat touch, too!

 

[Zeph]

This looks like a well traveled path. Your choice of lens, one of my favorites, is perfect for this view.
People in a shot can preempt the viewer’s perception of a natural scene. The authors own story, choosing to include the human element clarifies and tells their story more precisely, which understandably is the goal of artistic expression. For me, the inclusion of people limits my own story making, I see less room for me in the scene.
The image invokes a very familiar and sought after narrative, very well done Jane...

 

[JaneG]

A week can be a long time in the autumn.. as there were hardly any leaves left today, so B+W seemed the obvious response. Amazing how quickly the seasons can turn, a welcome to winter..

 

[AlanLichty]

Interesting followup - and you weren't kidding about how much different that looks now. B&W seems like a good choice for the mood you are conveying here.

 

[JaneG]

we ha some very high winds all week, and i saw leaves blowing everywhere in Cambridge town.. I was expecting a significant change and I got it.

 

[lionking]

Its nice to see nature at work, replenishing that soil year after year, no wonder woodland is the best example of strong natural eco system...

 

[Jim Dockery]

Both are very nice. I also find myself stitching many shots into panos to get a wider view since I often carry just my 55mm on my Sony.

 

[Jeffrey]

Fine color image, even with the people, but....when I saw the B&W, I knew that was the one for me. Excellent!

 

[Kyle Jones]

My first thought was that I liked the light and color in the first - but that B&W is really striking!

 

[Carlo Didier]

Lovely first image and great B&W follow-up.

Wonderful image and the narrative that goes with it. I am not so sure about including people at the far end however - I would clone if it was my image. Regardless a lovely fall image.

I was also always reluctant to include people in my landscapes, but I learned that sometimes they add that little human touch without which the something would be missing.

 

[Ryan10]

The OP image is spectacular! I'm always looking for something similar, but I don't think it exists in my area.

 

[R.C. Golding]

Wonderful picture and I think the people add to it, thanks for sharing your technique.

 

[Bart Carrig]

Fine work on each image. Essays unto themselves.

Bart