Welcome to Weekly Challenge #322 - Leaf Peeping

Thanks to Hattifnatt for the last challenge and for passing on the honor of choosing this week's challenge theme.

As the title suggests, this week let's look at leaves, in particular, leaves that are individually identifiable. They're miniature works of art, intricate and beautiful. Some of my favorite leaf pictures are shown below. Now let's see yours.

Spring Maple Leaves




Optimism




Fluid Dance




After the Fall




Upside Down




Hosta




Becoming Fossils




The fine print:

Every week, a new theme is picked and judged by the winner of the previous week.

The Challenge will run until midnight next Saturday, April 25, 2015, whichever time zone you are in.

Rules
1. Post ONE photo (max 1024x1024).
2. The photo must portray an interpretation of the theme.
3. Post your single picture in this thread and explain what motivated you to take the picture and/or how you feel it represents the weekly theme (especially if it's not obvious).
4. The challenge is interactive. Any response is welcome.
5. The judge will pick the WINNERS and choose one of them to be the judge for the next week.
6. This challenge runs for 7 days plus an additional day for the judge to choose the winners.
7. Photos from any Pentax camera (film, compact, DSLR, etc.) -- or a Samsung DSLR -- are allowed.
8. Pictures can be from any time frame, not just within the week of the current theme.
9. In case the winner of a challenge is unable to become the judge for the next challenge, they will PM the #2 winner for that person to be the judge.

Have fun!

[Hattifnatt]

Raise the leaves!

[atupdate]

Red leaves - Red wood - Red rust



Tim

[Cuthbert]

Quick questions:

1) Is the competition open to film SLRs?
2) Is the scope of the context to prove which shot delivers the sharpest pic of leaves in terms of details or also "artistic" pics are considered?

Thanks, Alex.

[slowpez]

Brittle with age but very architectural.

[SpecialK]

[atupdate]

Quick questions:

1) Is the competition open to film SLRs?
2) Is the scope of the context to prove which shot delivers the sharpest pic of leaves in terms of details or also "artistic" pics are considered?

Thanks, Alex.

1. I believe that film shots are allowed. The worst that can happen is that you get disqualified don't win the $1million first prize get to host the next challenge.

2. The scope is to submit your best/favorite image that fits the challenge topic as posted. These challenges are normally open to interpretation but Tamia provided some pretty good examples of what she is looking for. However, Tamia also likes being surprised.

Tim

[Tamia]

Great entries so far! Bring 'em all on.

Quick questions:

1) Is the competition open to film SLRs?
2) Is the scope of the context to prove which shot delivers the sharpest pic of leaves in terms of details or also "artistic" pics are considered?

Thanks, Alex.

1. I believe that film shots are allowed. The worst that can happen is that you get disqualified don't win the $1million first prize get to host the next challenge.

2. The scope is to submit your best/favorite image that fits the challenge topic as posted. These challenges are normally open to interpretation but Tamia provided some pretty good examples of what she is looking for. However, Tamia also likes being surprised.

Tim

Alex, Tim/Atupdate is right on the mark.

[1] As I've always understood it, the Weekly Challenge is restricted to pictures taken with any Pentax or Samsung single-lens reflex camera, not necessarily a digital SLR. I now see that the rules I coped from previous challenges aren't clear, so I'll clarify them. As far as I'm concerned, you can use a film camera.

[2] Artistic shots are most definitely allowed.

However, Tamia also likes being surprised.

True!

[Bill2849]

[MadMathMind]

There are leaves under there trying to get out!

[simon_199]

Japanese Maple leaves up close

[tessfully]

I just found our how many leaf photos I have. They must be one of my favourite subjects to photograph! I settled on this one because the memory of taking it is so fresh. Our last canoe trip last fall, a small steep stream between lakes that I bushwhacked to, tons of deadfall, overhanging branches and moss covered rocks. Very busy and beautiful place. But there was this one tiny pool of flat water reflecting the sky and canopy. I wedged myself in, set up on tripod and shot some photos at 1/8 sec, f/8, ISO 100.

[ldj4549]

Just having fun with my Vivitar 100mm f2.8 macro. Thought this image looked like a pirate's flag. A leaf Jolly Roger...

[frankthewitchdoctor]

Witchhobble.

[charliezap]

A dynamic duo.--Fall time with the leaves and being at the Saugus Iron Works which is a National Park attraction just North of Boston Ma. The Iron Works goes back to the 1640's and has been reconstructed as a tourist gem.--charliezap