Nature Is the Tree the Subject? Or the Dog?

chmance · 09-06-2015, 10:31 PM - **1 Like**

I saw this big tree, possibly a bigleaf maple, at the end of my walk around Deer Lake in Burnaby. I wanted to capture the dark massive limbs and trunk of this tree set against the heavy fall foliage. Then came a muscular dog fetching a big stick. Had a chance to take about six photos with this one clearly showing the stick in the dog's mouth.

Pixel-wise this photo is 99.9 percent about the tree or trees. But whenever I look at it, my eyes just go back to the dog again and again. So is the subject the dog? Or is it just the opening act to the main act, which is the tree.

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**From1980** · 09-06-2015, 11:46 PM

I think this is a very successful shot of this massive tree and the foliage around it with the tiny image of the dog providing necessary balance in the composition. My eyes found the tree, then the flow was out with the branches and down until they met the dog. No pooch, eyes would find bright empty space, photo would be found wanting.

StephenHampshire · 09-07-2015, 12:29 AM

Originally posted by From1980

I think this is a very successful shot of this massive tree and the foliage around it with the tiny image of the dog providing necessary balance in the composition. My eyes found the tree, then the flow was out with the branches and down until they met the dog. No pooch, eyes would find bright empty space, photo would be found wanting.

Was about to ay pretty much the same thing- they eye is led by the arch of the min tree limb straight down to the dog. So BOTH are the subject
Not sure I like the spliit toning though, a straight mono or sepia would work better for me

Buruny · 09-07-2015, 12:56 AM

Very nice indeed! It's almost like a painting.

Macario · 09-07-2015, 01:44 AM

Try to visualize it without the dog. Then all you have a is a (big) tree, which wouldn't be the focal point anyway in the shot. The dog gives it some scale, and is a vital part of the shot. Gives you a david vs goliath kinda sense.

splash_fr · 09-07-2015, 02:02 AM

In my eyes it is a super good (environmental) portrait of a dog!

Rupert · 09-11-2015, 10:45 AM

Yep, the doggie makes the shot!

Regards!

DeadJohn · 09-11-2015, 12:22 PM

At first glance, the photo looks abstract, and the subject is the leaf texture. Then you look some more and spot the tiny dog that lends a sense of scale to the tree. It's a good photo because of the tree and the dog, crop out either one and the photo suffers.

**jbinpg** · 09-11-2015, 02:24 PM

Gorgeous shot. And yes, it is a bigleaf maple.

chmance · 09-13-2015, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by From1980

I think this is a very successful shot of this massive tree and the foliage around it with the tiny image of the dog providing necessary balance in the composition. My eyes found the tree, then the flow was out with the branches and down until they met the dog. No pooch, eyes would find bright empty space, photo would be found wanting.

Thanks From1980 you for looking and evaluating this photo. Yes, I think the dog adds balance to the composition. Am really glad that pooch showed up out of nowhere to retrieve that stick.

---------- Post added 09-13-15 at 12:47 AM ----------

Originally posted by StephenHampshire

Was about to ay pretty much the same thing- they eye is led by the arch of the min tree limb straight down to the dog. So BOTH are the subject
Not sure I like the spliit toning though, a straight mono or sepia would work better for me

I appreciate your feedback StevenHampshire and I must say that deciding on what is the subject is quite a struggle for me especially when there are lots of elements in the scene. Anyway, I will follow your suggestion and do a straight black and white or sepia.

---------- Post added 09-13-15 at 12:49 AM ----------

Originally posted by Buruny

Very nice indeed! It's almost like a painting.

Merci for your compliment Buruny!

---------- Post added 09-13-15 at 12:51 AM ----------

Originally posted by Macario

Try to visualize it without the dog. Then all you have a is a (big) tree, which wouldn't be the focal point anyway in the shot. The dog gives it some scale, and is a vital part of the shot. Gives you a david vs goliath kinda sense.

Thanks Macario for the comment about the dog giving a sense of scale to the whole picture. I think many of my landscape photos could have been better if I included something to establish a sense of scale.

---------- Post added 09-13-15 at 12:52 AM ----------

Originally posted by splash_fr

In my eyes it is a super good (environmental) portrait of a dog!

Originally posted by Rupert

Yep, the doggie makes the shot!

Regards!

Originally posted by DeadJohn

At first glance, the photo looks abstract, and the subject is the leaf texture. Then you look some more and spot the tiny dog that lends a sense of scale to the tree. It's a good photo because of the tree and the dog, crop out either one and the photo suffers.

Thanks splash_fr, Rupert and DeadJohn for the lovely comments about the inclusion of the dog. My intent was to portray the massive tree heavy with colourful leaves. Then the dog came and changed the whole dynamics.

---------- Post added 09-13-15 at 12:57 AM ----------

Originally posted by jbinpg

Gorgeous shot. And yes, it is a bigleaf maple.

Thanks jbinpg for finding this shot gorgeous and for confirming that the tree is indeed a bigleaf maple.

Dewman · 09-14-2015, 10:58 PM

Other than perhaps cropping a slight portion of the foliage at the very top of the image, I don't think I'd do a thing to it.... except frame it and hang it on a prominent place! A magnificent image. Love the PP.

mrNewt · 09-17-2015, 09:25 AM

Both are your main subjects. Is like a face-off. The dog and the... "bigger stick".
I say the image is perfect in my eyes. Don't. Change. A. Thing!

TaoMaas · 09-17-2015, 09:35 AM

For me, the tree is the subject. The dog is simply there to support the tree by providing a sense of scale. Nice pic, btw.

chmance · 09-19-2015, 02:18 AM

Originally posted by Dewman

Other than perhaps cropping a slight portion of the foliage at the very top of the image, I don't think I'd do a thing to it.... except frame it and hang it on a prominent place! A magnificent image. Love the PP.

Thanks so much for your positive assessment. I recropped it following the 16:9 aspect ratio resulting in the removal of some of the foliage at the top. I something lost in the tweak? Or does it strengthen the composition?

---------- Post added 09-19-15 at 02:35 AM ----------

Originally posted by mrNewt

Both are your main subjects. Is like a face-off. The dog and the... "bigger stick".
I say the image is perfect in my eyes. Don't. Change. A. Thing!

Originally posted by TaoMaas

For me, the tree is the subject. The dog is simply there to support the tree by providing a sense of scale. Nice pic, btw.

I appreciate your comments mrNewt and TaoMaas. I guess we have here a classic case of differences in interpretation of the photographer's vision. When I set out to take this photo, I had in mind the tree as the subject. I wanted to capture the massiveness of the maple heavy with fall leaves with graceful arching branches. Then the dog came out of nowhere and injected a new element that prompted me to ask the question: Is the subject the tree or the dog? I honestly could not decide because the classic conception of a subject is unitary. It has to be one. However, whenever I look at this photo, my eyes kept darting back between the tree and the dog. Perhaps the concept of a subject could also be physically be amorphous encompassing several physically separate elements.

So you're right TaoMaas that the tree is the subject and the dog is there to provide a sense of scale ... and to also add a visual counterweight to the whole maple tree. That was my intent. But I also like your "face-off" idea mrNewt: the dog and the "big stick." I never saw it that way.

Dewman · 09-19-2015, 06:32 AM

On second thought.... and careful study of the "new" version, I think I was wrong in my original assessment. It was perfect at it was in the beginning! But, I'll stick with my opinion that it is a magnificent capture and deserves to be presented in a very prominent area for all to enjoy! It has a very magical quality that's very charming.

09-13-2015, 12:45 AM	#10
chmance Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484 Original Poster	Originally posted by From1980 I think this is a very successful shot of this massive tree and the foliage around it with the tiny image of the dog providing necessary balance in the composition. My eyes found the tree, then the flow was out with the branches and down until they met the dog. No pooch, eyes would find bright empty space, photo would be found wanting. Thanks From1980 you for looking and evaluating this photo. Yes, I think the dog adds balance to the composition. Am really glad that pooch showed up out of nowhere to retrieve that stick. ---------- Post added 09-13-15 at 12:47 AM ---------- Originally posted by StephenHampshire Was about to ay pretty much the same thing- they eye is led by the arch of the min tree limb straight down to the dog. So BOTH are the subject Not sure I like the spliit toning though, a straight mono or sepia would work better for me I appreciate your feedback StevenHampshire and I must say that deciding on what is the subject is quite a struggle for me especially when there are lots of elements in the scene. Anyway, I will follow your suggestion and do a straight black and white or sepia. ---------- Post added 09-13-15 at 12:49 AM ---------- Originally posted by Buruny Very nice indeed! It's almost like a painting. Merci for your compliment Buruny! ---------- Post added 09-13-15 at 12:51 AM ---------- Originally posted by Macario Try to visualize it without the dog. Then all you have a is a (big) tree, which wouldn't be the focal point anyway in the shot. The dog gives it some scale, and is a vital part of the shot. Gives you a david vs goliath kinda sense. Thanks Macario for the comment about the dog giving a sense of scale to the whole picture. I think many of my landscape photos could have been better if I included something to establish a sense of scale. ---------- Post added 09-13-15 at 12:52 AM ---------- Originally posted by splash_fr In my eyes it is a super good (environmental) portrait of a dog! Originally posted by Rupert Yep, the doggie makes the shot! Regards! Originally posted by DeadJohn At first glance, the photo looks abstract, and the subject is the leaf texture. Then you look some more and spot the tiny dog that lends a sense of scale to the tree. It's a good photo because of the tree and the dog, crop out either one and the photo suffers. Thanks splash_fr, Rupert and DeadJohn for the lovely comments about the inclusion of the dog. My intent was to portray the massive tree heavy with colourful leaves. Then the dog came and changed the whole dynamics. ---------- Post added 09-13-15 at 12:57 AM ---------- Originally posted by jbinpg Gorgeous shot. And yes, it is a bigleaf maple. Thanks jbinpg for finding this shot gorgeous and for confirming that the tree is indeed a bigleaf maple. Last edited by chmance; 09-13-2015 at 12:56 AM.

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09-06-2015, 11:46 PM	#2
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 682	I think this is a very successful shot of this massive tree and the foliage around it with the tiny image of the dog providing necessary balance in the composition. My eyes found the tree, then the flow was out with the branches and down until they met the dog. No pooch, eyes would find bright empty space, photo would be found wanting.

09-07-2015, 12:29 AM	#3
StephenHampshire Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Winchester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,523	Originally posted by From1980 I think this is a very successful shot of this massive tree and the foliage around it with the tiny image of the dog providing necessary balance in the composition. My eyes found the tree, then the flow was out with the branches and down until they met the dog. No pooch, eyes would find bright empty space, photo would be found wanting. Was about to ay pretty much the same thing- they eye is led by the arch of the min tree limb straight down to the dog. So BOTH are the subject Not sure I like the spliit toning though, a straight mono or sepia would work better for me

09-07-2015, 12:56 AM	#4
Buruny Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 34	Very nice indeed! It's almost like a painting.

09-07-2015, 01:44 AM	#5
Macario Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,393	Try to visualize it without the dog. Then all you have a is a (big) tree, which wouldn't be the focal point anyway in the shot. The dog gives it some scale, and is a vital part of the shot. Gives you a david vs goliath kinda sense.

09-07-2015, 02:02 AM	#6
splash_fr Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 178	In my eyes it is a super good (environmental) portrait of a dog!

09-11-2015, 10:45 AM	#7
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	Yep, the doggie makes the shot! Regards!

09-11-2015, 12:22 PM	#8
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	At first glance, the photo looks abstract, and the subject is the leaf texture. Then you look some more and spot the tiny dog that lends a sense of scale to the tree. It's a good photo because of the tree and the dog, crop out either one and the photo suffers.

09-11-2015, 02:24 PM	#9
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Gorgeous shot. And yes, it is a bigleaf maple.

09-14-2015, 10:58 PM	#11
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492	Other than perhaps cropping a slight portion of the foliage at the very top of the image, I don't think I'd do a thing to it.... except frame it and hang it on a prominent place! A magnificent image. Love the PP.

09-17-2015, 09:25 AM	#12
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Both are your main subjects. Is like a face-off. The dog and the... "bigger stick". I say the image is perfect in my eyes. Don't. Change. A. Thing!

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09-17-2015, 09:35 AM	#13
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	For me, the tree is the subject. The dog is simply there to support the tree by providing a sense of scale. Nice pic, btw.

09-19-2015, 06:32 AM	#15
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492	On second thought.... and careful study of the "new" version, I think I was wrong in my original assessment. It was perfect at it was in the beginning! But, I'll stick with my opinion that it is a magnificent capture and deserves to be presented in a very prominent area for all to enjoy! It has a very magical quality that's very charming.