This week’s photo for the Monochrome Madness Challenge is something I worked on in Nik Color Efex and Photoshop CC. I am really enjoying the post processing part of creating images, and this one I had a lot of fun with. This image of an oak tree was taken when I was up on Mt. Diablo the other day. Oak trees are almost everywhere in California not just on the mountain.
Usually when I look at an image straight out of the camera in Adobe Bridge, I usually decide whether or not it feels more like a photograph or more like an artsy image. This one I saw as an artsy-type image the minute I saw it on my computer, so I went with it.
I’m posting this one day early. 🙂 The entire challenge will be on Leanne Cole’s site tomorrow, so please do check it out!
Laura Macky Photography 
May 5, 2014 at 4:21 pm
I love the oaks and this shot really does them justice. It’s beautiful!
May 5, 2014 at 4:22 pm
Thank you so much! I’m so glad. Sometimes I wonder when I’m trying to push the envelope of what I do.
May 5, 2014 at 4:27 pm
Fabulous work!
May 5, 2014 at 4:35 pm
Thanks John, I appreciate it. 🙂
May 5, 2014 at 4:29 pm
Wicked!!!
May 5, 2014 at 4:36 pm
hehe
May 5, 2014 at 4:37 pm
Excellent image. The composition is exceptional. Note the the tree in the upper right 1/3 provides framing for the distant scene in the lower left 1/3. The use of blue vs. black reminds us that monochrome dose not necessarily = B & W.
May 5, 2014 at 4:53 pm
Thank you for noticing the composition! And yes I thought why not blue if the title is monochrome 🙂
May 5, 2014 at 4:54 pm
For some reason this brings to mind Snoopy sitting on top of his doghouse with his typewriter, beginning his Great Peanuts Novel:
“It was a dark and stormy night…”
😉
Great photo Laura!
May 5, 2014 at 5:03 pm
I loved Snoopy! Thank you 🙂
May 5, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Love the blue oak, I am just so tired of red oaks,….really nice effect….en theos monos..j
May 5, 2014 at 5:04 pm
Thank you so much. Red oaks are very common. I’m glad you appreciated the effect 🙂
May 5, 2014 at 5:01 pm
at first glance I couldn’t tell if that was a photo or an illustration. either way, i love the mood it creates!
May 5, 2014 at 5:05 pm
I’m all about mood. It’s hormonal lol!!! Thank you 🙂
May 5, 2014 at 5:08 pm
A really beautiful image. You have done a great job with this. I’m on my phone now and will comment in depth as soon as imon my computer. But i had to acknowledge this one right away.
May 5, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Why thank you Robert! I’m always honored when I get a compliment like that from you. 🙂
May 5, 2014 at 5:16 pm
As a lover of trees, this is absolutely breathtaking. It’s mysterious, haunting and comforting all in one.
May 5, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Thank you! I think you just described me! haha 😉
May 5, 2014 at 5:18 pm
Nice shot. I really like your artistic rendering of it.
May 5, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Thank you so much. I’m really enjoying post processing photos into art. I hope to improve as I go along.
May 5, 2014 at 5:26 pm
Oh the twisted lovely Oaks of California. I love them. They remind me to remember even the twisty, nob-like parts of life are beautiful. I love that you thought of blue, it really adds a lovely tone to this image, and deepens the movement you so beautifully captured.
May 5, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Thank you Carrie. 🙂 Your comments are always so well-written…like little stories!
May 5, 2014 at 7:55 pm
I love reading your reply 🙂 I do love little stories as I you could probably guess. Photographs, at least for me, send me somewhere and the best way I know how to compliment the place I have just been with a photograph is through a story. Yours often send me somewhere, I love that about your blog!
May 5, 2014 at 8:05 pm
Well I’m so happy to hear that!! Seriously, that is such a wonderful thing to say an exactly what I hope to do through my photos. Thank you SO much Carrie.
May 5, 2014 at 8:30 pm
You are very welcome. I enjoy your work very much. 🙂
May 5, 2014 at 8:54 pm
Ty Ty Ty !!!
May 5, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Hey Laura … divine! Looks very very expensive indeed. Love it Miss!
May 5, 2014 at 5:47 pm
Thank you Julie! 😀
May 5, 2014 at 6:02 pm
It is sooooo spooky.
Leslie
May 5, 2014 at 6:04 pm
boo!
May 5, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Ohhooooo!
May 5, 2014 at 6:26 pm
lol
May 5, 2014 at 6:05 pm
The way you’ve framed this really emphasises the size and shape of the oak.
May 5, 2014 at 6:07 pm
Thank you so much! I really did enjoy framing that one because of the shape.
May 5, 2014 at 6:10 pm
Excellent bit of work..
May 5, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Thank you!
May 5, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Stunning image! Great composition and the blue toning gives it an ethereal feel 🙂
May 5, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Ahhhh ethereal…yes :)))) Thank you!
May 5, 2014 at 6:53 pm
Oh…I love that image.
May 5, 2014 at 6:54 pm
Thank you so much. It was fun to do. 😀
May 5, 2014 at 7:20 pm
This is amazing and looks like a fantasy land just before dark.
May 5, 2014 at 7:39 pm
Thank you DG! I like your interpretation. It’s amazing what everyone sees,
May 5, 2014 at 7:43 pm
One cool photo, moody and spooky.
May 5, 2014 at 7:54 pm
Thanks Ron…I like to put a little thrill in once in awhile lol.
May 5, 2014 at 7:55 pm
🙂
May 5, 2014 at 8:08 pm
Great work Laura 🙂
May 5, 2014 at 8:25 pm
Thank you Irene :))
May 5, 2014 at 9:59 pm
Awesome shot to inspire a story of mystery or suspense
May 5, 2014 at 10:19 pm
Thank you :). I love a good mystery.
May 5, 2014 at 11:05 pm
Looks like something from a beautiful dream…
May 5, 2014 at 11:16 pm
:)))) thank you
May 6, 2014 at 12:29 am
Cool in tone, eerie in subject 😊
May 6, 2014 at 6:43 am
Thank you….and boo!
May 6, 2014 at 12:53 am
WOW, hauntingly beautiful, nice job Laura. I love the way you went with blue instead of B/W 🙂
May 6, 2014 at 6:44 am
Thank you so much Ed! You know me…I like to try and be different.
May 6, 2014 at 1:38 am
This could be framed and hung on a wall… beautiful…
May 6, 2014 at 6:44 am
Aww thank you so much! 😀
May 6, 2014 at 1:39 am
Stunning image!
May 6, 2014 at 6:44 am
Thank you! It was fun to do.
May 6, 2014 at 1:47 am
FAntastic image Laura. I think the blue is great.
May 6, 2014 at 6:45 am
I’m so glad Leanne. I wasn’t sure and I even looked up monochrome in the dictionary LOL.
May 6, 2014 at 2:45 am
Oh that is an amazing picture – the use of shade and tone is so effective and gives and almost fey impression to the piece. May I add this to my image collection to use [with credit to your blog of course] for a future post?
May 6, 2014 at 6:46 am
Thank you so much Jenni! I never mind that when someone asks and gives me credit. 😛 Thank you so much! Oh and if you give me the link or fix it so I get notified, I’d be much obliged. 🙂
May 6, 2014 at 7:03 am
No problem I always include the link when I have one.
May 6, 2014 at 7:07 am
Thank you so much…I really appreciate it and am flattered!
May 6, 2014 at 3:46 am
The Moonlight casting a blue light over the forrest …Very nice Laura
May 6, 2014 at 6:47 am
Thank you Mike 🙂
May 6, 2014 at 4:35 am
I see I’m not alone in really liking this image – everything just work with it. I’d be interested to see the “straight” version or know what made you pick this one out of Bridge – obviously you saw something in the RAW image. regardless – I do like the cool tones (something I have been using more of myself lately) – the flow of the branches and the overall dreamlike quality. Good stuff!
May 6, 2014 at 6:50 am
Thank you so much Robert. I really was trying to go for ethereal or dreamy so yay for that. Some people have seen spooky and that’s ok too. I wasn’t sure about posting it initially because I am going out of my comfort zone lately and sometimes I’m just not sure. I only had maybe 3 oak images of this same tree but this one was framed best. It was also backlit but not in the best way for a straight photo, so that’s why I chose it. Make lemons out of lemonade. 🙂
May 6, 2014 at 8:52 am
Indeed – or as I am prone to say…”Play the hand you are dealt.
Glad you posted it – hopefully you will not be as reserved next time due to the positive feedback I’ve read on this one.
May 6, 2014 at 9:05 am
I am getting the impression that my post processing is most interesting to people. It’s my favorite part so maybe that’s why? I do know that there are amazing photographers out there but I may be able to stand apart in the PP…at least that’s my hope. Thank you for the encouragement, Robert!
May 6, 2014 at 9:41 am
Laura – you have a good eye and that is something that makes all the difference – as I have on my digital-infrared site – “No amount of post processing can make up for a bad picture” – and that is a rule that holds true whether in the digital or analogue world. See if you can find W. Somerset Maugham’s “The Alien Corn” – which is an interesting take on what makes a true artist.
May 6, 2014 at 10:14 am
Thank you for that. I do try to apply the principles when framing my photo and adjusting when cropping. I’ve taken a screen shot of this so I can look up the reference later. When I can see lol. Thank you so much!
May 6, 2014 at 12:46 pm
I am googling this now…this is quite interesting to me as I’m also a musician who has played piano since I was 4 years old although unable to play like I used to. My mom was a concert pianist and a Steinway artist. I will have to down load the story and check it out! Thank you!
May 6, 2014 at 12:50 pm
All of which is why I thought you (of all people) would understand this particular story. If you cannot find the story there is a quite decent film of this and three other WSM stories called “Quartet” – staring Dirk Bogard as George Bland.
May 6, 2014 at 1:08 pm
I did find it. I just have to download it. I’ll put it on my iphone and listen sometime soon! Thank you and thanks for the heads up on the other stories. 🙂
May 6, 2014 at 5:17 am
You have combined quite well art and photography with this image, Laura
May 6, 2014 at 6:50 am
Thank you so much Ravi. I’m kind of liking this direction of photography a lot. (If you haven’t noticed lol.)
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May 6, 2014 at 7:22 am
Really beautiful Laura! I like the blue tone and the dreamy feel that this photo has. Excellent composition!
May 6, 2014 at 8:09 am
Thank you so much Elina 🙂 Glad it made you feel dreamy.
May 6, 2014 at 7:35 am
Beautiful art, Laura. I really love what you have done. Great job! Love, Amy
May 6, 2014 at 8:11 am
Thanks so much Amy! I’m having fun! lol
May 6, 2014 at 8:20 am
You look like you are!!! Lucky you!! Someday for me! LOL
May 6, 2014 at 8:25 am
bah! you’re photos look like you enjoy them. That’s fun! 😀
May 6, 2014 at 7:49 am
That’s BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Good job!
May 6, 2014 at 8:12 am
Thank you 🙂
May 6, 2014 at 8:04 am
absolutely magical Laura!! I love it.
May 6, 2014 at 8:13 am
Thank you Hanna! I knew you might like this one. hehe
May 6, 2014 at 12:28 pm
🙂
May 6, 2014 at 8:39 am
Oh Laura…This takes my breath away…The emotion sweeps through me and brings me to another place…another time. I’ve seen this before…In a dream…In a vision..? In my soul! Beautiful♡♡♡
May 6, 2014 at 9:05 am
Thank you so much Lorrie! I love it that my image could do that for you. 🙂
May 6, 2014 at 9:10 am
I’m glad you posted a photo with a dramatic tone. That’s been something I’ve been wondering about – how/when to use colours to beyond sepia to tone a picture. You’ve provided a good example.
May 6, 2014 at 9:18 am
Thank you Betty….I guess we just have to try and put it out there and see what happens. The worst that can happen is people don’t comment or tell me I’m off my rocker. lol
May 6, 2014 at 9:37 am
Judging by your responses, you must have done something right! 😉
May 6, 2014 at 10:12 am
Maybe! 😉
May 6, 2014 at 10:22 am
This would be ideal cover art for a book of Grimm’s Fairytales. Love it!
May 6, 2014 at 10:39 am
Ha! Yes I could handle that 😛
May 6, 2014 at 10:39 am
And thank you!
May 6, 2014 at 10:34 am
Lovely shot
May 6, 2014 at 10:41 am
Thank you so much 🙂
May 6, 2014 at 12:11 pm
What a beautiful dream in blue, filled with ancient oak magic. Lovely inspiring and atmospheric…..what more could we want 🙂
May 6, 2014 at 12:23 pm
I’m glad you felt that way from my image. Thank you 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 2:36 pm
I love your shot Laura. But then I generally love them all.
May 6, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Thank you so much. I love to see what everyone else sees. So much diversity and inspiration there!
May 6, 2014 at 3:58 pm
I like the mood it depicts. The blue adds
May 6, 2014 at 4:57 pm
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
May 6, 2014 at 6:31 pm
Very nice Laura! The cold tones work very well with the setting and the lone large tree. Nice work!
May 7, 2014 at 10:33 am
That’s a nice oak tree. In Oslo there’s a hill called Oak Hill (Ekebergåsen), but there’s no oak trees there. They were all chopped down and used for ship building a long time ago.
May 7, 2014 at 11:56 am
Interesting! There are lots of oaks around here. Maybe I should take more in different ways. It’s a thought.
June 3, 2014 at 5:38 pm
Nice! I don’t remember seeing this in MMC.
June 3, 2014 at 5:39 pm
I’m surprised since these portrait-sized photos look so huge! 😉 Thank you 🙂