Inspired by trees

December 6, 2009

Bachelor and three graces

Over the last few days I’ve been shuffling all of my digital files around in a ‘photographic’ spring clean.  I found this shot which, when I took it back in 2005 was one of my absolute favourites. Taken at Mariposa Grove in Yosemite NP this particular grouping of giant sequoias is know as the Bachelor and Three Graces (The ‘Bachelor’ is the big guy in the foreground, his ‘Graces’ are the 3 behind).  I hunted it out after being reminded just how ancient and majestic trees can be by the Oct issue of National Geographic magazine.  I was blown away by a pull out centrefold showing a giant redwood. People had been positioned on branches all the way up to show the gigantic scale of the tree. The final image was an 84 image stitch and is just stunning.  This short video below shows how the NG photographer and his team achieved the fabulous shot – although with that much equipment at your disposal you’d have to walk away with something!  Next time you’re in the newsagents (there’s a delay in delivery to Oz so this issue is still on the shelves) have a look at the actual pull out….I’m sure you’ll be as humbled as I was when I saw it. These trees will still be on the planet long after we’re gone.