This tree stands along the roadway that leads into my workplace, and every time I see it I wonder why it was trimmed in this fashion. Perhaps it was damaged by a storm at some point, I do not know. Today it just stood out so nicely against the sky. The clouds were dark, so I processed it in B/W and warmed up the colors, turning into more of a sepia tone which I thought looked nice. Though this tree is far from what the average person would consider a "perfect" tree, it possesses its own unique beauty. I think it has a great deal of character, and not any different than you and I. Sometimes we can be so self conscious about ourselves, our appearance, that we fail to see the deeper characteristics, the qualities that really matter most. In spite of all the personal flaws and imperfections, we possess our own individual beauty, and it is those very qualities that make us stand out from the rest. Be proud of who you are.
Beautiful shot! I love the composition and the somber color tones you have given it. I agree with you. The tree has a lot of character despite the lack of symmetry and what else. It stands tall and proud. Having said that, I think we are all self-conscious and we worry or pay too much attention to the image we project to others because we're human. Trees can't help themselves. We, however, can. We can correct or improve our behavior, change our values or adopt new ideas. But appearances still matter because, when we lack information, we have to rely on what our eyes tell us. *reads what she has written* If I'm not making any sense, it's probably because I haven't had my coffee yet! Heh. I do want to say that I enjoyed reading what you have written. It's food for thought!
I think that it's a beautiful tree and totally agree with what you said, Rick. We're almost always judged by appearances first . . and it's wrong, but it still happens everyday. Great composition and color here. Love the sihouette of the tree against the sky.
I just read an essay in which the author wrote you can seek perfection or happiness but not both. And then he made the observation that you never see a perfectionist smile.
@myautofocuslife Oh I agree with what you said, it makes sense, and I think the self awareness is what often helps to motivate us toward that self improvement, whether it be physically or intellectually. Either one I think is healthy. But unfortunately today there is such a push to "look perfect" in order to fit in. That is what we need to come to grips with, otherwise, our motives are going to be for all the wrong reasons.
i love the look of this tree, how you have captured it and the words you wrote to go with it. i am a very self concious person and reading what you had to say somehow "warmed my thoughts" a bit about myself. thanks for sharing rick.
Rick, I faved this because I love the photo and your processing, but also because I love your words and message here. External beauty is such a fleeting and meaningless thing. It's the love inside that you share and the internal beauty that really counts. I felt a little conflicted when I read Livia's comment and your response because deep in my heart I believe that we should all be loved just as we are, and I detest our culture's insistence on perfection. It's not that I don't endorse self-improvement, but like you said, it's important to actually understand the motives behind it.
what beautiful words rick - i do get caught up in the rat pace of life - that is 1 of the beauties of photo. it helps me to discover me - thia IS - i agree _ a beautiful shot - the tones put the gentlness of you words into site!
I couldn't agree more what you've written and a tree isn't perfect just because it's perfectly grown but because we see the beauty within the tree..but I do agree with you that the color changes you've applied add to the overall picture.
Your words and interpretation are very timely for me! I needed someone to put exactly those words out there and you did! Thanks for that, and I completely agree! :)
Well, beauty is as much in the eye of the beholder as it is in the concensus. I think the tree has a lovely arch or curve to it. It may just be that the one side for whatever reason didn't grow as well as the other and the tree naturally adapted because of that. I feel it does give it an elegance of form.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - this reminded me the Bonsai that I saw a few months ago.Of course this is taller, but could have been taken from below.
FAV! Rick, your message is as great as the photo. I love everything about this...processing, composition, lighting, blah, blah, blah...you get the idea!! :)
Rick , I came way back on this post to give you my email address. thall26@comcast.net keep be updated with your daughters visit. My son is also is away from home and I have very little contact with him. Prayers still coming your way.
