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Cheryl Hawkins | all galleries >> Photo a Day >> Photo a Day—Year One >> February 2005 > February 1, 2005
Urban Forest
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01-FEB-2005 Cheryl Hawkins

February 1, 2005
Urban Forest

I've been trying to get a good photo of this tree shadow on the wall of the
building where my office is located. I can't seem to get a good one, any suggestions?


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jypsee04-Feb-2005 17:26
In the first one, it's that big dark shadow that overwhelms your subject so I'd try moving so that you get less of it.. though the big dark chunk sure does say "urban." The second photo is more "real" and less of an abstraction since there are so many urban indicators in it. Good work...
Neal Nye03-Feb-2005 00:45
Clearly there would be a lot of ways to do this which would result in a lot of different pictures. But this is remarkable the way it is. I like the tones of it and tha ambiguity. You have to look at it to figure it out. I'd be very happy with it if it were mine.
Lee Rudd02-Feb-2005 22:19
Nice photo as it is...

To get only the shadow, try lying on the ground at the base of the wall and pointing the camera more vertically up the wall. I'm serious!! This way you may avoid getting much if not all of the tree in the photo
Guest 02-Feb-2005 21:45
I like this one. Personally i'd probably just take a macro of the great texture on the bark.
Stu02-Feb-2005 18:30
Lovely shot
gary becker02-Feb-2005 14:27
Well, you asked... I would crop out the three planters. The stepped shadow of the building is great, the trunk is great, the shadow on the wall is great. The street and planters distract. And by cropped I don't mean Pshop cropped - I mean go back and shoot again. : )
Guest 02-Feb-2005 13:48
I think it could improve by avoiding the tree in the foreground, this could be achieved by moving a little bit at your left or getting really close to the tree and using a grand angular to capture the entire shadow.

Could you wait a little bit more to get the sunlight more horizontal? If you could, then I guess the shadow would be more painted in the wall.
laine8202-Feb-2005 10:06
I think it's perfect too. My eyes were focused on the shadow as it opened & I didn't see the tree for ages.
Karen Stuebing02-Feb-2005 09:53
I think these are great and I can't think of a single way to improve them.
Cheryl Hawkins02-Feb-2005 03:59
Is it chocolate candy?

I don't know what it is that I'm trying to capture. Something nice is as far as I've thought it out. I'm pretty sure I'm seeing a Maxfield Parrish type image due to the tree shape and the color of the building and light.
jude02-Feb-2005 03:47
I'm not sure what it is you are trying to get that you cannot achieve.. tell me. Please? i have candy :D
I like the shadow... and I like the idea of showing less of the tree and more of the shadow itself as you did here. Hmmmm. I'm thinking.. It hurts, too..
Chris02-Feb-2005 02:48
Very interesting play of light and shadow. I had to look at it closely to see that it WAS a shadow. I like the crop and tonality of this as well.