I was hiking along the ridge trail in Ceres Nature Preserve the week before last. It was a beautiful day, shadows deep under the forest canopy and when the sunlight shone through — a marvelous sight.
Click to enlarge
I think this tree, with the gnarly roots, might be my favorite tree of all. Such character. And yes, the trail climbs over those roots. The lighting was perfect. Sometimes you just get lucky.
This image helps validate my decision to buy my only new Nikon lens earlier this year (all my other lenses were purchased used). If I’m out with one lens, this 35mm AF is the one — I really like the perspective and the quality of the images I’m getting. I shot this one on repackaged (Freestyle Legacy Pro 400) Fuji Neopan 400. I’ve been testing several B&W films and this stuff is a keeper.
Drop on by The Weekend in Black & White, especially if you are a monochrome maniac. There’s lots links to some great monochrome photography. And some of the monochrome maniacs still use film like I do.
Great shot!!
That’s a wonderful tree. I love roots like that so much and the lighting is pure magic.
I love seeing all details and textures of the tree and its root…
the light is perfect, too…
Thanks for visiting
Oh my gods! This is gorgeous, John, what a wonderful tree! Fantastic shot, and add some other positive adjectives here! lol
Kisses from Nydia.
It is when you see photos like this you realize how the legends about The Trolls came into being. It reminds me of paintings and drawings made by several 19th Century Norwegian artists.
Welcome!
Wonderful shapes and textures John, not to mention that lovely light.
mmm… a special tree, most definitely!
Lovely image, what tales an old tree like that could tell..;)
What a great photo in b/w. Your monochromes are truly inspiring.
I like gnarly roots. Nice shot.
Gorgeous shot. Wonderful lightning. I love trees with gnarly roots and trunk. Even as a child I loved when roots penetrated the asphalt. I imagined it as the natures way of defying humanity.
I’ll soon be doing some hiking like that and cannot wait. Fuji is my favorite B/W film, but outdoors, I can’t go without Neopan Acros!
Had considered 35 F2 for my Nikon, but I want a 62mm filter mount for the (only and very expensive) IR filter I have. So, I might go with the 20 instead.
Nice image, lovelier trail!
Thanks for your kind words. I don’t do as much hiking now that it’s full summer because of the mosquitoes and ticks. Not to mention our expected high of 97 degrees Sunday.
Acros and I are having a hard time getting acquainted. Maybe it’s the Diafine, but the highlights are way too strong. I like the Neopan 400 (rated at 640) better.
All my lenses except one zoom I seldom use take 52mm filters. I like to keep things as simple as possible.
I like the way the roots look to be clinging to the trail so as not to fall over.
I don’t have any know-how of any photographic jargon – what I do know of is that – as you mentioned about the character of this particular favourited tree …
if you look down at the gnarly roots very closely – you will see something of a “work of art there”. You think you can?
I will leave you guessing what I have seen.
Thanks for the visit. Have a lovely weekend.
Great reflection!
It does look like it’s out of a fairytale. Nice place to take a hike!
It is a beautiful tree!! And the light is sweet.
Thank you for your visit Jan! I first thought you were Dutch, because Jan is the Dutch name that’s most used in the Netherlands. It’s derived from Johannes (John). It’s a good name, be proud of it.
Your tree, or rather its roots, is very impressive. Wat has this tree seen in its life? If it could tell a tale or two we would be fascinated.
It also reminds me of the walking trees in “The Lord of the Rings”.
That’s a beautiful tree with great character. There are many old trees in this area with exposed roots reaching far out. Often there is moss or fungi growing on them and little pools, microsystems between the roots.
great gnarly roots
If I were walking on that trail I would have to stop and and sit a spell on those gnarly roots. Enjoyed your post and I appreciate you stopping by my blog and commenting. A little to hot in Ohio to do much hiking right now.
Awarewriter,
I understand your concern with the highlights. It seems a lot of your work is midday forest and the light poking through the trees can be rather contrasty. For this picture in particular, it seems you’ve done a great job for as even an exposure as possible. The highlights are a bit bright, but not too much and it is in the shadows where your exposure works well.
You have written about the Nikon lens, so I assume you are in-camera metering? If so, perhaps a handheld meter, although more cumbersome, would be of benefit?
I make this suggestion (humbly) because I have had wonderful results with Acros, and particularly with highlight detail. Although they are different cameras, and I develop in TMAX Dev, you might find these photos interesting and consider giving Acros another shot:
Inside the hangar at the former Tustin Marine Corps Air Station – http://www.flickr.com/photos/fenominal/4390975935/in/set-72157622751920397/
This photo was very difficult. The floor was completely blown out, as were the windows in the rafters. Another exposure with a different camera provided this – http://www.flickr.com/photos/fenominal/4136520412/in/set-72157622751920397/
For comparison’s sake, I did not post the Nikon (N80, in camera metered on A priority) photo from the same spot because it was a terrible exposure.
Lastly, for highlight detail, please see one of my high key images – http://www.flickr.com/photos/fenominal/3495020283/in/set-72157617238156125/
Exposed at ASA400, compensated by development. High Key is very low contrast, and I scanned and printed to reduce black, which is also helped by the exposure/development process. But, a more normal scan/print is equally gorgeous with excellent blacks and highlights together.
Sorry for the book-like length, but I tend to “geek it up” with film/development topics.
That is one cool tree. I bet there are several different here.
Wow, those roots are so huge! I love the lighting of your shot!
That is a great picture indeed. I recently bought a Nikon 35mm lens also and have been pleased with it, though I’m using it on a dSLR, so it’s roughly equivalent to a 50 mm lens on a 35mm camera. The tones are very nice with the Legacy Pro film. I may have to order some to use with my Argus “Brick.” In my relatively recent foray into developing with Diafine, I haven’t used anything but Tri-X.
ahhh, favorite trees! i have a good list of favorites throughout the country. I Know the feeling. This one looks pretty awesome, can’t deny that. Great black and white!