Stills

Decisive moment? Perhaps a 1955 jet......

There's load to like in this. I understand the thought about conformity and flatness, but (you may not be surprised to hear me say this) that is a part of the appeal. This is a picture to ponder peacefully.

One very minor observation. There is something in the upper right on the extreme edge which is very bright. This unbalances the picture for me.
 

I was impressed by the very strong vertical line pattern in this image, not the trees but the gaps between the trees. This regularity indicates a plantation.

I also wondered to what extent the B&W disguised the true health of this plantation. There looks to be some sick trees in there.
 

The white marks on the right hand side are a bit of a puzzle - I have worked out that they are trunks but they are not noticeable in the full size Jpeg, nor even in the reduction on my monitor; only here. Very annoying!

Rex, the b/w doesn't hide any illness. There are a couple of silver birches (centre and top left) that are not in leaf so they look bare, but they are alive!

Akikana - I am very much in agreement with Auspicious's line on landscape moments. I think that in this case, however, the 'moment' is that point in Spring when these trees have emerging foliage of differing colours. It only lasts a day or two so you can't go back!
 

Ah, but John, there's always next year...

...and like Rex, I'm intrigued with the gaps, trying to find the hidden gem therein.
 

If anyone wishes to see the colour version of 'wooded hillside', I have added it below the b/w I posted on Sunday.
 

In the monochrome picture, I see trees.

In the colour picture, I see colours.

Interesting (well, to me anyway). Thanks John.
 

The color works better for me. I couldn't put my finger on it until I had the color version for comparison, but now I see that those shadows in the B&W are a bit too crushed for my taste.
 

I like this, particularly in B&W. The sheer vertical nature of the trees, almost like a wall, appeals. I too am distracted a little by the brightness in the top right so removing that, I think, would be an improvement. Very nice indeed.
 

Maybe I'm guilty of seeking more contrast and thereby 'crushing' the shadows. I do tend to look for greater contrast.

To be honest, I am not sure which I prefer. This was not one that I had initially though of as b/w when I shot it: I was after the effect that John-Jo sees. I went through a stage of thinking that the colours where a little bit indeterminate, even if subtle and interesting botanically.

All of you have said something with which I agree. If I can go for a cop-out: it is nice to be able to have the luxury of flipping from one way of representation to another, however indecisive that may seem!
 

It is surprising the extent to which the colour version is an entirely different image for me.

Now I see pleasing patterns in the differing colours.
 

Guy - I was reading a comment by Glen Erler (who I had never heard of before) in the latest copy of BJP that made me think of your comment about going back:

"...But something I've grown really fascinated with in photography is the fact that it's all about time. You realise that you could never take the same picture again. Recently I went back and had a look at the tree where I shot my cousin's daughter, and the branches were completely different. Things grow and change."

Not only do things grow and change but, in the case of the wooded hillside the trees could be chopped down! I like the time idea: it justifies shooting on the spur of the moment rather than waiting/planning for a decisive moment.
 

I had a similar experience. I took a picture of Holy Island from the mainland (25 years ago) and it was a winner. It won certificates, got hung in a French exhibition (exhibited internationally!!) and hung in the local hospital (I gather only removed in the last couple of years). So when Nora and I went back I attempted to take the 'same' picture again. Two trees that had just intruded into the picture 25 years ago (and requied dodging out) now almost obscured the view and I did consider going to buy a chain saw to recover the 25 years!
 

It sounds like a good picture but 25 years could be pushing a point!