The next photo in my top images of 2015 is really two. I guess you could call it a tie but since they aren’t ranked then it really doesn’t matter. They are close to the same image but one is in portrait and the other is in Landscape format. The compositions are slightly different as well. Why I chose them is more from the approach aspect.

These images are a favorite for several reasons. First they are unique. This is something I am always striving for. They are also abstract in a way that makes you think, what are you looking at and what perspective is the camera shooting from. Then there is the sheer beauty of maple trees in fall. These images also got some of the most positive reactions out of any images I took this year.

On the day I took this images I was looking for some fall color. I hadn’t had much luck so far. I decided to go to the Japanese gardens in Spokane. The one problem this poses to photographers is there are no tripods allowed. For me that is huge since I shoot 85-90% of my images on a tripod. After shooting for a while I noticed several maple trees in peek color. I was trying to figure out how to get a different perspective. I wanted to shoot low, but without my tripod it was hard to stabilize my camera. After taking a few shots I noticed at the base of the trees, several trunks of the tree branched out creating a little spot where I could set my camera facing up. I quickly got to work. I would take a shot, review it, then change the settings and do it over again. It took many shots but I felt good about what I had captured. So good in fact that I wanted to come straight home and work them up. This kind of feeling has only happened a few times. After I went through what I had captured there were a couple images that turned out well and these are the results. The trunks of the trees reaching towards the sky with the leaves in full autumn color definitely made for one of my more creative images of the year.

Nishinomiya Japanese Garden - Autumn TreesNothing like getting a squirls POV. This garden, Nishinomiya Japanese Garden, doesn't allow tripoids so I was trying to be creative while respecting the rules and other visitors. For this shot I gently placed my camera in the center of the trunck of a tree that had several branches/trunks growing upwards. This is the perspective that I got. I love the contrast of the dark branches with the bright red and orange leaves.

I offer a variety of landscape, nature and wildlife images and fine art digital paintings. I also have many agricultural, farming and countryside images as well. Most of my work is from around the Pacific Northwest, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, British Columbia, and Alberta. Please look through my galleries or visit my website to view my full portfolio.

All of my work is original and copyrighted. The watermarks will not be on your final print. Thank you for looking and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Nishinomiya Japanese Garden - Autumn Trees 2This perspective is really unlike most you will see. And it is enhanced with the vivid colors of autumn. This garden, Nishinomiya Japanese Garden, doesn't allow tripods so I was trying to be creative while respecting the rules and other visitors. For this shot I gently placed my camera in the center of the trunk of a tree that had several branches/trunks growing upwards. This is the perspective that I got. I love the contrast of the dark branches with the bright red and orange leaves.

I offer a variety of landscape, nature and wildlife images and fine art digital paintings. I also have many agricultural, farming and countryside images as well. Most of my work is from around the Pacific Northwest, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, British Columbia, and Alberta. Please look through my galleries or visit my website to view my full portfolio.

All of my work is original and copyrighted. The watermarks will not be on your final print. Thank you for looking and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

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