Magic Trees Contest: 1st Place Feature: Michael789

Michael's winning entry is "Rootage".

:bigthumb335990428:

I find this image remarkable in several ways.
Michael has focussed on the bare trunk and gnarled roots of the tree rather than any foliage.
The roots spreading out as they do help draw the eye into the trunk,
which then takes our vision to a diagonal and then a horizontal rock feature which,
in turn draws the eye through the rock face - all excellent compositional technique.
What is most appealing to me, however, is the variety of textures apparent in the image.
You can think of the root structure as a large scale pattern,
with the bark of the tree as a medium scale,
and the rock face as a variable scale texture.
The very good local contrast and overall tonality enhances these details.

Michael has many photographic interests that lie mainly outside of infrared work.
However, I'm going to highlight only one area:
patterns and symmetry (sometimes natural, sometimes broken, sometimes derived,
sometimes colour, sometimes animated, sometimes kaleidoscopic, sometimes personal):

:thumb334595164:
:thumb331127611:
:thumb337912064:
:thumb335463970:
:thumb330639607:
:thumb336870950:
:thumb339510806:
:thumb329744529:
(This last is a DD!!)

I find Michael's work fascinating and I recommend a through viewing of his galleries.

Well Done, Micahel - a worthy winner!

Cheers

Okavanga