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Visit RAY FRIEDMAN's column >>

RAY FRIEDMAN

Articles Posted: 73  Links Seeded: 0
Member Since: 7/2010  Last Seen: 2/22/2012

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The Medusa Soul

Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:49 PM EST
By RAY FRIEDMAN

The Medusa Tree

Medusa 2

Tree Of Limbs

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It has been awhile since posting anything. Life has been a challenge in many ways, thus the image represents my state in my journey.

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  • RAY FRIEDMAN's Column
  • Groups: Crooked Horizons , Newsvine HONOR Vine, Newsvine Photographers, Photography
  • Regions: none
  • Public Discussion (32)
RAY FRIEDMAN

Lately have not been inspired to write much or shoot, but this too shall pass.

  • 7 votes
Reply#1 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:54 PM EST
tzia62

Ray, these are absolutely fantastic!! Thanks for sharing!!

  • 7 votes
#1.1 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:01 PM EST
A. Macarthur

For an "uninspired" guy ... you have posted some wonderfully inspirational images!

REALLY!

  • 8 votes
#1.2 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:52 AM EST
RAY FRIEDMAN

Mac to be honest as i try to be, I feel as thouigh I have become stagnant or stuck in a ditch.My energy levels are low in comparison to the past,I need some direction or something.I thank you for your words as they carry much wieght in my eyes.

  • 4 votes
#1.3 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:54 PM EST
A. Macarthur

Ray,

We've all been there ... in our art and in our lives; no one is on all the time ... we're not built that way. These shots should tell you that even in the absence of motivation, your soul drove your creative inclination.

Go with it and let these successful images precipitate others.

  • 4 votes
#1.4 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:01 PM EST
mstanley2265

A Mac and others got me outta that stagnant thingie. It's a yuk place to be....Keep in touch with us, it's always another day and we missed your photos. :)

  • 5 votes
#1.5 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:18 PM EST
Reply
58rose

some nice pictures there Ray.

  • 5 votes
Reply#2 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:08 PM EST
Dare To Hope

Glad to see your post Ray, the tree is beautiful, b/w was a perfect choice for the shots!

  • 3 votes
Reply#3 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:13 PM EST
RAY FRIEDMAN

How I miss our chats , please e=mail me when you get a chance

  • 3 votes
#3.1 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:29 PM EST
Dare To Hope

Will do!

  • 3 votes
#3.2 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:43 PM EST
Reply
Hallen94

Ray,

Great photos. I love the Medusa soul. Its so incredibly fitting, at least to me, because I find these trees kind of creepy. Still really cool at the same time.

What did you do with the last one? It looks half b and w and half sepia?

  • 3 votes
Reply#4 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:20 PM EST
RAY FRIEDMAN

editing the photo played with brightness and contrast, then increased saturatuion to a little to the right of the spectrum.While shooting , it was late day and very cloudy so I made sure tha WB was adjusted,. At the same time I increased the f/stop for greater details and depth and a slight increase in the iso.Thanks for check;n out the photos

  • 3 votes
#4.1 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:03 PM EST
Reply
mstanley2265

Comparatively speaking, if that tree represents challenge, that was One Heck of a challenge. wow..great photos though! glad to see you back. :)

  • 2 votes
Reply#5 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:27 PM EST
RAY FRIEDMAN

THank you and good to share again

  • 2 votes
#5.1 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:04 PM EST
Reply
Hallen94

Isn't it funny how something like a tree can be so creepy? There used to be a dead tree in a field by my house.. This one lonely dead tree all by itself, displaying its creepiness for all to see.. It gave me goosebumps every time I drove past it.

Has anyone else ever had that feeling about a tree? This tree reminds me of that tree in the field.

  • 3 votes
Reply#6 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:32 PM EST
mstanley2265

I saw a tree on the edge of some woods once that was a ringer for those Hanging trees in western movies. It was kinda creepy.

  • 4 votes
#6.1 - Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:37 PM EST
RAY FRIEDMAN

Hallen94, the last pic was edited by increasing brightness , contrast and playinying with the saturation,since the pic was taken in the late day and very cloudy i shot it adjusting theWB, increased the iso and to get details and depth a higher f/stop.

  • 3 votes
#6.2 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:59 PM EST
Reply
runjobsrun

Medusa Tree - An apt title for the tree. Nice photos too.

It has been awhile since posting anything. Life has been a challenge in many ways, thus the image represents my state in my journey.

Hang in there, Ray. Winter's coming to an end and soon it'll be spring. The buds of new life shall soon start sprouting.

jobs

  • 5 votes
Reply#7 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:21 AM EST
RAY FRIEDMAN

Words of wisdom and encouragement, thank you

  • 4 votes
#7.1 - Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:25 AM EST
Reply
Anna-90776

Nice shots Ray! I am so glad to see you because I wanted to tell you I have using bracketing thanks to your suggestion!!

I have a huge oak tree across the pasture that kind of has this feel to it. Striking! Very nice in black and white!

  • 3 votes
Reply#8 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:10 AM EST
RAY FRIEDMAN

Glad to see you are utilizing that essential tool, great aid in achieving the desired effects.Look foward to see your pics

  • 3 votes
#8.1 - Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:24 AM EST
Reply
HollyKl

Glad to see you posting again, Ray! That is a very interesting tree. I'm partial to the last image; I like the subtle colors in that one.

  • 3 votes
Reply#9 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:47 AM EST
Vlad's dog

Nice images Ray. Looks like a sycamore.

  • 5 votes
Reply#10 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:26 AM EST
Al-316

I have been there. It is very foreboding. Great images.

  • 4 votes
Reply#11 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:31 AM EST
ambivalent

Hello again Ray. It looks like that sycamore has been growing pretty much without obstruction. May we all do the same.

  • 5 votes
Reply#12 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:01 AM EST
Fletch-495299

I like #2 the best of these. Good Shooting.

  • 4 votes
Reply#13 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:10 PM EST
etva

I really love these images, Ray! You may not feel inspired, but your photos sure are!

  • 5 votes
Reply#14 - Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:47 PM EST
Mrs D-1475814

Sorry Ray, I am behind. Your photos are excellent! Loved them all. It sounds like we are going though the same thing in our lives... but, it will pass. Great job! :)

  • 5 votes
Reply#15 - Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:52 PM EST
MoonCrow

I love the loneliness ... the desertion ... the sense of waiting ...

Very nice photos Ray.

  • 6 votes
Reply#16 - Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:38 PM EST
RAY FRIEDMAN

glad that the pic evoked the desired emotions I tried to convey, the snakes in my head and the the desolation of the soul is the outcome of chaos, yet the tree is some what majestic with it's sturdy trunk. Thanks for stopping by.

  • 3 votes
#16.1 - Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:46 PM EST
Reply
Jackie-2759125

This tree is magnificent and I understand the inner wars. I have a silver pendant with a stamp of Medusa on one side and an Angel blowing a trumpet on the other side.

  • 4 votes
Reply#17 - Tue Feb 7, 2012 10:59 AM EST
RAY FRIEDMAN

So pleasant to see yah!

  • 3 votes
#17.1 - Tue Feb 7, 2012 3:21 PM EST
Reply
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