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The crack of dawn
2nd PlaceThe crack of dawn
Yo_Spiff


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Trees II (Advanced Editing VII*)
Collection: 2009
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon
Location: Irving, Texas
Date: Apr 23, 2009
Aperture: F 5.6
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/1000
Galleries: Landscape, Nature
Date Uploaded: Apr 23, 2009

Same tree and vantage point as my "Single Tree" entry, which made the #3 spot on my profile page. I've actually made a bit of a project out of this tree and I've been stopping anytime I see interesting clouds and light around it. I now have a growing collection of this same tree, and all of the photos look different.
Same tree, different day (by Yo Spiff) The crack of dawn (by Yo Spiff) Project tree #3 (by Yo Spiff) Dramatic skies this morning (by Yo Spiff) Sepia Dawn (by Yo Spiff) DFW Sunrise 3 (by Yo Spiff) Tree project (by Yo Spiff)

It's been a great subject for me. Besides making my 3rd highest score on this site, I've had three, now four, of these shots get explored on Flickr and one was nominated for "picture of the week" in the D/FW Metro group on Flickr.

Pre-challenge notes:
I feel a little guilty entering a shot that feels like a DPC cliche, and a rehash of a previous success. On the other hand, many others do it, and I've been photographing this tree anyway, so it makes sense to use one of them in this challenge.

I can't envision this bombing out in the low 5's. When I did my "Sepia Dawn" entry, which came in at a 6.30, one commenter suggested it would have been be better in color. I'll find out. I am geusstimating this is good for a high 5 or maybe a low 6.


[Apr. 30th, 2009 12:08:16 AM]

Wow! First voter thought it was only worth a 3, but it shot straight up after that. By mid morning the first voting day, it had passed my previous PB. Got up as far as 6.91 and has dropped into the 6.8 range now. Seems to be getting to the point where it will likely float around here for a while. I've almost certainly got a new PB here.

Post-challenge notes:
WOW! After a year and a half beating myself up in challenges, I finally did it! I was hopeful, but really expecting to not see this! Thanks to all the folks that encouraged and helped me learn what was needed to get this.

I think what did this was getting it right in the camera. I had a lot to work with, and didn't have to do an awful lot of advanced editing tricks. I also knew from experience where I could get a great shot for this challenge.

-shot in RAW, converted to TIF in Canon DPP.

-Adjusted all the usual. Levels, curves, some saturation. (Being careful not to overdo it)

-Duplicated and ran a noise reduction pass on the lower layer, erasing through so that NR layer gave me a nice smooth sky.

-Merged and then some dodge/burn on the clouds.

-Cloned out a couple of very tiny street lamps that were barely popping up over the horizon on the far left. Probably nothing that would even be noticable at 720 pixels.

-Resize and sharpen, then some selective sharpening of the edge of the tree and grass.


Statistics
Place: 2 out of 263
Avg (all users): 6.8679
Avg (commenters): 7.8333
Avg (participants): 6.5455
Avg (non-participants): 7.0519
Views since voting: 11744
Views during voting: 391
Votes: 212
Comments: 92
Favorites: 11 (view)


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AuthorThread
07/29/2010 03:10:08 PM
This is one of those images the "substance" people hate. But that's not what we're going for here. We're going for the art of color and form. You did a very good job, obviously, as reflected in the score. If I were to tweak it, I would have cloned out the brush or tree or whatever that is at the bottom of the trunk. This image is about simplicity and so detail like that is a downside, not an upside. Composition is great and you did well in your sharpening. I tend to oversharpen stuff like this and it usually looks worse.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/24/2009 11:28:31 PM
Marvelous, perfectly framed..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/19/2009 07:13:28 AM
Congratz on that well deserved red with this amazing shot. Browsed your portfolio whilst i was here and i must say i am impressed by much of your work. Some really diverse stuff in there and with varying styles and techniques.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/15/2009 04:25:15 AM
Weird! I thought I could remember you getting a ribbon before. Well congrats on this one!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/10/2009 12:27:41 PM
Congratulations on your ribbon and PB!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/09/2009 01:35:03 PM
Congrats on your first ribbon and a great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/08/2009 11:19:02 PM
Steve! You crazy Texan you...congrats on your ribbon!!! :) This is a beautiful shot and you've done a fantastic job on the colors! Well deserved ribbon!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/08/2009 06:02:48 PM
So happy to see you ribbon, Steve, and congrats on the new PB!! I love the vibrant colors, your exposure is wonderful, and how cool that you continue to image this worthy subject :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 11:46:41 PM
Congrats on your ribbon. Thhis is a lovely image. Way to go.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 10:26:25 PM
Hey Yo!
Congrats on your ribbon!! Thanks for your comment!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 08:15:45 PM
Congratulations! Great picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 03:16:35 PM
Wow, I didn't realize you'd just got your first ribbon, dude. 'Grats, and welcome to the club! Now get the heck out of that thread, you know the one I mean :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 01:41:22 PM
It's just really hard for me to believe that you're only just now getting your first ribbon.

This is a lovely image to get it for you! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 01:15:28 PM
Excellent photo. Great colors and silhouette of the tree. Congrats on the well deserved ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 08:56:14 AM
Congratulations on your first red ribbon. You picked the right on of your group of shots.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 07:50:14 AM
Super congrats, Steve!!! Perseverance does pay! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 12:57:14 AM
Yo_Spiff!!!! How fantastic!!!!! I'm so proud of you. Congrats on your first ribbon. This tree is obviously your "muse" :-)

Now, inquiring minds want to know: were starting or ending your day?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 11:19:05 PM
Woohoo! Congrats on your new PB and first ribbon! Don't let the cliche nature of the shot bother you. There's a reason people (not just DPCers) like shots this: it's beautiful! Just don't let the fact this one did well convince you not to try other stuff. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 08:54:18 PM
Congratulations. Nice work. I voted a 7 for this one..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 06:18:26 PM
Really love the single tree concept. Well done!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 05:16:30 PM
Classic but very, very well done.
Some of your Flickr's variation are awesome too (particularly the sepia dawn)
Congrats for the ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 04:48:45 PM
You really deserve it!! Great Picture!...I think that I'm happier than you Steve! Congrats and many Blessings! ...Jeremias
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 03:39:27 PM
Congratulations on your first ribbon, great image. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 03:36:38 PM
Beautiful image!! Congrats on your first ribbon. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 03:13:22 PM
Congrats on your first ribbon! Great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 02:51:43 PM
Excellent my man!!! congratulations on your ribbon!!! It most certainly is a good day on DPC!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 02:07:28 PM
Congrats on your 1st ribbon Steve.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:30:47 PM
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:13:42 PM
Beautiful capture, Steve, congrats on your ribbon! Maybe this tree will bring you luck.. keep on shooting!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:11:00 PM
Excellent image. Congrats for PB and a first ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 11:56:02 AM
Beautiful shot, and congrats on your first ribbon :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 11:54:45 AM
Congrats on your score and first ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 11:28:53 AM
Huge congrats on your ribbon, Steve. Lovely image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 11:28:38 AM
Congrats to a fellow Texan!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 11:16:36 AM
YAY DADDY!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 10:37:52 AM
Congrats, Steve! You the man! It feels good to hit one out of the park, eh?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 10:04:15 AM
wooooohooooooo! Congrats on the ribbon!!! Beautiful shot. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 09:42:08 AM
Congratulations. On your ribbon. I guess they could see a genius through the trees. Well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 08:48:06 AM
Congrats Steve! Second Place and well deserving of it!

Message edited by author 2009-05-06 08:48:25.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 08:41:14 AM
Congratulations!! Beautiful, beautiful!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 08:29:58 AM
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 08:17:32 AM
yaaaay spiffy got a ribbon! amd for such a pretty photo too:) congrats!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 07:59:45 AM
BIG Congratulations ! you see ... after 140 challenges!

great photo btw :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 07:56:37 AM
Congrats on the great score and ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 07:54:17 AM
Way to go! What a perfect tree with such surreal colors. Sorry to see you leave the minor leagues and step up to play with the big boys. Your always welcome to come back and visit us ordinary non-ribbon folk. We will keep the beer cold and the pizza hot for you :) Big congratulations, very well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 07:06:31 AM
There ya go! Nicely done, congratulations on the ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 06:42:15 AM
Big congrats on your first ribbon and new PB!!!! Great job with this tree.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 06:13:28 AM
Congrats Yo_Spiff! You got your ribbon! Nice shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 05:52:44 AM
Nicely done, Steve! Congrats on a fine image and your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 05:51:14 AM
Holy Crap! Awesome! Great shot. Great finish. Well deserved. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 05:36:58 AM
Congratulations on a PB and your first ribbon! Bask in the glow!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 05:24:58 AM
Great work on your project ... Congrats on a well deserved first ribbon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 04:13:03 AM
Huge congrats on the ribbon Steve. Beautiful shot!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 04:06:24 AM
Yup, it's colour all the way ;) BIG congrats for the red! Been a long time coming, so sit back, relax and soak up the attention :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 04:01:56 AM
Congratulations, Steve. A great image. Also very interesting on how you have collected different surroundings with the same subject. Milind
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 02:47:52 AM
Nice job! Congrats - this was my top vote/pic of this challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 02:25:23 AM
Hey, that looks surprisingly like a little red ribbon thingie there.... :-) Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 02:16:52 AM
Excellent! Congrats on the PB and Red!!!
Keep it up. You're about to start a run!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 02:07:16 AM
Sweet work Steve! huge congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 02:03:41 AM
first ribbon and a PB!!! long overdue my friend, congratulations
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 01:50:56 AM
Hurray, Steve! Big congrats on your red!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 01:47:05 AM
congratulations so much steve on a killer shot, a ribbon and a pb ..
such a vibrant and beautiful image .. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 01:40:38 AM
Congratulations Steve on the red and a PB to boot. Way to go.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 01:32:32 AM
Hello Steve, congratulation :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 01:16:47 AM
Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 01:10:26 AM
I didnt vote in this challenge but when i flicked through i thought yours stood out from the crowd, i would have given it a 10 and thought it was an easy first place but you can't complain with a second...congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 01:03:31 AM
Very nice photo and even nicer RIBBON! Great job hanging in there. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:48:58 AM
Hey Steve this is a brilliant shot.
Congratulations on that well deserved ribbon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:24:25 AM
HYe, Hey Hey, you won yourself a ribbon!!! Well done , it is a gorgeous shot!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:13:01 AM
I knew this had to win a ribbon, one of three 8's I gave in the challenge, great isolation of subject.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:11:34 AM
OMG, you got one!! :D Way to go, guy, and you didn't even hafta shoehorn ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:10:07 AM
Congrats! I'll bet it was a fun week with the update button.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:09:33 AM
Really well done, I love the natural look of the colors and the scene is very nicely composed. Congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:08:35 AM
I love that you decided to stay with a more natural lighting and still won a ribbon. Didn't need any fancy topaz/tonemap/over-done HDR for this! no sir!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:07:46 AM
You did it!!!

Awesome!!

Congrats!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:05:27 AM
Well done mate, great shot...........! Deserved!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:03:58 AM
your first ribbon and a new personal best. congrats and what a very beautiful photo you have here!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:02:22 AM
Huge CONGRATS on the ribbon !!!! Very well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 12:01:59 AM
Congrats on your first ribbon! This is a stunning image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/05/2009 12:39:47 PM
Nice colors and contrast. I like that the black is BLACK and not a washed out gray. This is one of the better tree/silhouette/sunrise shots.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 03:06:53 AM
Finally - a decent composition. Nice work
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/02/2009 09:08:06 PM
Great silhoutte, perfect composition and of course the colors are outstanding.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/02/2009 05:35:36 PM
This is beautiful, I've never seen the morning sky so blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/02/2009 01:54:19 PM
Very nice colors!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/30/2009 05:04:12 PM
Great silhouette beautiful (sunset,sunrise) Good luck, Mike
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/30/2009 03:38:13 PM
I love how simple this shot is. Well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 08:07:36 PM
Great contrast. Great colors - 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 06:41:40 PM
Beautiful colour, nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 01:30:15 PM
great colors, not overly edited which is nice... 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 03:06:11 AM
very rich color with good softness
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 12:41:16 AM
I really love the colors in this pic....Good job and good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 12:30:18 AM
too much negative space on the bottom, but its not a mistake, just my opinion. I still like the shot! 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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