Driftwood and Rock

[tbob]

I was walking on the beach in the rain last week : actually rushing to get inside before the really serious stuff set in. I saw this driftwood stump with a rock embedded in the roots. Couldn't resist the draw and got drenched as a result.

Amazing to me that this tree was eroded by high water along a river, flushed downriver maybe getting caught several times on sandbars or logjams, drifted about in the sea long enough to become the typical bleached and weathered driftwood, was tumbled in the surf and finally cast up on shore by a big storm wave high enough on the beach to be almost in the trees yet retained this rock.



a second version to show more of the interesting wood (any opinions on the merits of the crops welcome)

[Mike Buckley]

Very interesting, Trevor! It won't win you another first-place award but it's really intriguing. At first glance, the first one looks like a 3D model of a lake amid surrounding mountains.

Regarding crops: Try the second one but moving the right side of the frame just enough to the left to eliminate the green rock.

[FrankMi]

What a fascinating find, Trevor! I would agree with Mike, the third element, the green rock on the right, takes attention away from the interplay of the blue rock and the detailed patterns in the wood. Also, by being right on the edge of the image, it almost pulls your view out of the frame.

I think I would shoot for a wider aspect ratio but without the green rock (and two white sticks), even if it means that you would lose some of the detail on the right and top. I think I wouldn't cut into the knob bottom right of center though as it is complete and has an interesting shape.

I love the detail!

[tbob]

A compromise. Green rock present but darkened, and white sticks removed (as well as extraneous bits of algae and sand) I cannot go wider to the upper left as I run out of root.



This is full original size ; shot this large so I could maximize the depth of field and still minimize the surrounding stuff

[chauncey]

That is a subject that is worthy of some experimentation...

[FrankMi]

I can picture a huge print of this hanging as a centerpiece in an upscale hotel or resort. Excellent!

[Downrigger]

in an upscale hotel or resort. Excellent!

Or even a space I'd want to be/be apt to be! Great eye and especially great color and texture. I see this sort of interesting shore thing often, never come close to this. I'm inspired to keep trying.

[IzzieK]

I see two eyes, a mouth/nose combination and big arms holding the rock, hence it survived the journey it had gone through...I wonder if this driftwood/rock combo is a huge one? If it is pick-able, can you bring it home and decorate your deck with it so you can experiment on it some more?

[Mike Buckley]

I like the revised image a lot. It really is terrific. Toning down the small rock eliminates the distracting characteristic. You're right in my mind that leaving it in the image complements the large rock. Excellent!

[Downrigger]

Just came back and looked again - agree with Mike. On another note, I notice now it looks a bit like a birth shot - won't be able to get that out of my head now.

[tbob]

I see two eyes, a mouth/nose combination and big arms holding the rock, hence it survived the journey it had gone through...I wonder if this driftwood/rock combo is a huge one? If it is pick-able, can you bring it home and decorate your deck with it so you can experiment on it some more?

I need a larger desk. This is a small portion of the stump of a cedar tree. Conservatively I would estimate the entire stump at twelve feet in diameter at the the root end (about one third is buried in sand) and three feet at the broken off trunk. The trunk is probably twenty feet long. Better to leave it for the next person to enjoy.

Also I was visiting the United States (a place called Point Roberts, look it up, it's an interesting geopolitical anomaly) so I would have to explain the importation of several tonnes of wood.

[NorthernFocus]

Nice image and interesting thoughts on the journey it took prior to your finding it in that spot. IMO the reworked version is an improvement.

Presumably no one saw you out in the rain taking a photo of a giant tree stump. Otherwise you'd likely still be in the padded room and not available to post the results here

[tbob]

Presumably no one saw you out in the rain taking a photo of a giant tree stump. Otherwise you'd likely still be in the padded room and not available to post the results here

This is the shot which I was concerned about getting me sent away for. When I first set up for this there was no one around. Five minutes later I discovered that at 5 pm the trail becomes a VERY popular running and mountain biking trail for the locals after work. People were giving me very strange looks for crouching partially hidden in the wet ferns and small bushes on the edge of the trail. A bearded man hiding in the weeds is obviously up to no good. I expected at any moment to have the police set upon me

[NorthernFocus]

Well it was worth the risk. That is one awesome photograph.

[pnodrog]

A compromise. Green rock present but darkened, and white sticks removed (as well as extraneous bits of algae and sand) I cannot go wider to the upper left as I run out of root.

Glad to see you removed the annoying little tan patch that was on the side of the rock but I still think an even tighter crop may work best. I like the fungus but there is also an annoying little brown leaf at the base of the mossy looking base.

P.S. I spent New Years Eve in the company of a bearded vet. Will I need any injections to ensure my survival? I can see from the excellent quality above it should not have any negative effect on my photography.

[tbob]

P.S. I spent New Years Eve in the company of a bearded vet. Will I need any injections to ensure my survival? .

The bearded ones are the worst, especially the females. Injections post exposure will only prolong the agony. Luckily I find a large single malt or several litres of craft ale will quickly flush any annoying effect from the system. If in doubt; repeat the therapy as needed. Do not take any of these while still in the presence of a vet; they are very hard to remove if alcohol is present.

[ShaneS]

Trevor...the first of the two revised image is simply gorgeous! I agree with Frank that it would at home in a high end resort or my house Nicely seen and captured. You next award winner ? I would vote for it.