Wrest Park is a place we have been to several times before but not this late in the year (click Here and Here for previous posts). A different time of year is guaranteed to yield a different crop of images – any place takes on a different guise – and Wrest Park is no exception.
My eye was drawn to a long line of trees along the side of the American Garden. These trees were swept clear of leaves and the bright sun was bleaching their skeletal outlines allowing them to stand clear of the taller foliage behind them.
Once I got close a different image emerged. Precise lines of trees with long shadows cast by the late afternoon sun, low in the key. And that one tree, leaning heavily – breaking the symmetry. Click on images to see a much better quality, sharper enlargement.
Both images were processed in CS5 and then Topaz B&W effects, where I used an Infrared Pre-set, with final sharpening in Topaz Detail.
Nice use of the infrared preset Andy. It really makes the bark of the trees stand out.
The infrared pre-sets really act a little like a curves adjustment increasing contrast substantially. As with all such tools they only work in certain situations but they worked well here. Thanks for commenting, Len, as always.
Superb shots Andy.
Thank you, Mark.
Love these Andy. You did a great job on the processing and B&W conversion.
Many thanks Edith – some of the pre-sets in Topaz B&W effects produce some wonderful results.
Both of these images are great, Andy. I have yet to use the Infrared preset in Adjust successfully as you have but I intend to keep trying. I know it is capable of good results.
Thanks Ken. Just spotted my mistake in the post: the Infrared pre-sets are in the B&W Effects plug-in of course.
Oh, that one tree that’s leaning over! I like it so much.
Thanks Melinda. Not sure when that ‘lean’ happened. We had quite a severe storm that blew through and flattened one of our trees.
I especially like the second shot, Andy…nice find….
Thanks Scott. Yes, the second shot was the real find here.
Nice Andy, I like the second best!
Thanks Mike. The first shot was included to show the context really – I agree the second is the main event here.
I love these shots of trees in a row…
It was an impressive line – this is only a part of it.
Smashing shots Andy!
Thank you Adrian
Very impressive images, Andy. I really love that 2nd shot with the long shadows and that leaning tree. These are great!
I remember walking over to this line of trees with nothing in particular in mind and then saw this leaning tree – the image was a no-brainer and the infrared preset in Topaz B&W effects worked a treat.
Love these and the leaner : )
Thanks. Its the leaner that makes the picture, isn’t it.
Of course /
Yes, it’s the “leaner”. Chuckle… Dramatic images, Andy. The infrared preset really worked well for these images. I use the Topaz filters much more often than the NIK filters now. I always run every image through the Noise filter. It’s far better than any other noise reduction filter I’ve ever tried. I bought a new one, Topaz ReStyle, that is interesting too. You might like the tones for monochrome. All of the effect in it are highly adjustable.
Thanks for your comment, George. I’ve heard of ReStyle but have yet to try it out.