Sunday, October 25, 2009

Bare and Beautiful

Allée of crape myrtle trees
Birmingham Botanical Gardens

What most of you don't know is that I have a cadre of photography friends that often get the distinct pleasure (?) of critiquing my photos before they go up here. Sometimes I listen and sometimes I don't, and they know that. Today's photo got a positive but rather noncommital answer from Wayne, who is usually trying not to rock my boat. Bob Crowe , is an attorney so it's safe to say he's not scared of me or anyone else, and as always the silver-tongued lawyer, he said, "It sort of has a blend of autumn starkness and grace." Two thumbs up, more or less, so here it is! Thanks guys, the check's in the mail as always.

I chased the setting sun all over the gardens Friday. With Daylight Savings Time coming to an end, I'll need to get my act together if I'm going to take advantage of the afternoon light I love. I really liked the last rays on these polished trunks and branches.

My friend Daryl has persuaded me to enter this photo at Aileni's Monochrome Weekly. Please visit her site and and the amazing monochrome work shown there every week!

34 comments:

Wayne said...

With a title like Bare and Beautiful I thought it was going to be a different sort of shot entirely.

You can imagine how disappointed I am.

Julie said...

Blokes are hard task-masters, V. For my money this be a rip-snorter ... beginning with the most sensuous of curves I have seen in a long while.

Brava!

Jilly said...

As a photo I absolutely love it - particularly those narrow shadows but there is something about the subject - those perfectly planted trees and most of all, that they are pretty bare, that would be depress me. After so many years in the sun, I find a winter landscape gets me low and I know that's nuts cos when Spring comes it's glorious. And anyway winter landscapes are incredibly beautiful. It's just an emotional reaction - a personal one. Lordy, did I get out of bed on the wrong side or something...?!

Diederick Wijmans said...

I agree with Jilly and the others: this is a very beautiful photo for the composition as well as for the light! Beautiful light which leads us to Winter.

Pat said...

Agree with Wayne...thought you were posting another version of your Oct 23rd photo.

I really, really like this photo; thumbs waaaay up.

Maya said...

I think it's breathtaking! And, it looks cold!

Janet said...

Yes, this confirms that winter is on the way! I like it in black and white.

Virginia said...

Maya,
It was actually a warm day. Yesterday it was in the mid 50's and I'm not sure what it is this am. Better check before i'm off to church.

Jilly,
I agree, fall and winter get me down once the leaves are gone. I'm a spring/summer girl as you are! I'm still chuckling over that dog on your post yesterday. Just the funniest.

Wayne, if I posted what you really want, I'd be in jail by now! Geeezzzz

Julie,
Sensuous curves eh? Well l wish i still had some!:)


RR, we finally got some chilly weather yesterday. Did you get it as well down there?

Blognote,
I thought of all the fabulous trees you've shown us around your lake in Arona when I took this.

Bibi,
HA!!!! Fooled ya.

PJ said...

This is similar to mine, the daytime version as it were, and you know I love crape myrtles. I think it's really striking and I'm glad you went with your instincts.

Char said...

I've always enjoyed this view as you come from my favorite part of the gardens. the long shadows and curves are very nice in this shot and the BW conversion really adds to the shot.

Anonymous said...

This is a departure for you? It reminds me of the K brothers in daylight. Really like it.

Virginia said...

Hiker,
If only, only, only I could resemble anything the "K Bros." turn out I'd be thrilled! The First Light shot below is Kish don't you think, maybe????

Char,
I love it when my Bham folks know the place and approve of what I capture. Thank you.
V

Thérèse said...

Une petite surprise pour vous Virginia ici.

Anonymous said...

Love the lighting here & it's beautiful in b&w! Nice garden, too, & pathway

Marie-Noyale said...

With these lighting I could almost see them starting to dance around in a ballet style...

marley said...

That is a beauty. Almost ghostly.

Lowell said...

Well, I don't care much what anyone says, this is an excellent photograph by any standards...the lighting is superb. Is that a light dusting of snow or frost on the ground? Sure looks like it.

Our crepe myrtles still have leaves and they'll be fine 'til our first freeze which usually comes toward the end of December. I'll cut 'em way back this winter...

Harriet said...

Your photos of the B'ham Botanical Gardens really make me want to visit. This is a beauty.

Petrea Burchard said...

Friend V, this reminds me of Diederick's work at aronaeveryday. If I had more than two thumbs they'd all be up.

Virginia said...

Petrea,
What a compliment you've given me. I so admire DIederick's work and he is not only a friend but an inspiration for me.
V

Harriet,
Please come visit. I would so love to show you around.

Jacob,
NO FROST! We are still in shirt sleeves here. THanks for the nice comment however. BTW, DO NOT cut those crape myrtles off too close. Down here we call that "Crape MURDER"! They are suppose to hang over and be graceful. People here chop them of and it causes weak spikey branches the next year.

Lowell said...

Okay!

Bob Crowe said...

What, me not scared of anything? We need to meet personally one of these days. Oh, I feel faint already.

But anyway, as I mentioned in one of those private communications, I think this just shimmers. Makes me think of an infrared picture or a silver gelatin print.

Virginia said...

Bob ,
You know I don't have enough sense to do infrared or whatever that other thing is. Ask Wayne, I can probably send you over the edge is no time. Thanks for your good humor and patience as I plod along this path. If we went on a photo shoot together, you'd be dialing 911 after 15 minutes! :)

Cloudia said...

Wonderful composition & execution. A+


Aloha, Friend!


Comfort Spiral

TheChieftess said...

Lovely photo...very serene...a bit Anson-esque!!!

Daryl said...

Brilliant monochrome .. you must join in the folks over at Aileni's .. the link is here

Just click on your post title and copy the URL for it and then do to the site and enter it ... do it!!!

Anonymous said...

Fear not, it is a good image. The path takes the eye into picture, the tones and contrast are fine.
Welcome!

Anonymous said...

brilliant photo!
great job!

visiting via monochrome weekly!

Victor said...

This is very beautiful V. Quiet, understated and classical. Bravo!

Virginia said...

victor,
Don't you make me get all teary-eyed!
I'm on the journey with you , you know.
V

Virginia said...

V,
I see
V

Maurice Lauher said...

Very nice, you have chosen just the right compostion. Tanks for sharing. My monochrome is very similar. What do you think? I'm adding your daily photos to my list.

Bergson said...

j'adore ce noir et blanc

Tash said...

Gorgeous, lovely scene to look at.
PS - Aileni is 2nd from the right in the family pic - http://aileni-looseends.blogspot.com/2009/10/dyadic-journey.html