Three days and counting – it’s still raining! Plus it’s been getting colder. It’s really feeling like autumn around here but it will still be a few weeks before it really looks like it. Just like spring flowers, I’m trying to capture fall color whenever I get a chance. At least that is my intention. I can get easily distracted and veer off into another direction. Take todays photo for instance. Because of the constant rain I really didn’t feel like slogging through the mud in an attempt to get interesting leaf photos. So I stopped by a little farm/park in the middle of a suburban shopping area. I can easily park in the lot nearby and walk on nicely maintained paths without getting too into “nature”. Unfortunately there aren’t too many obvious photo opps, just trees, a fence, and some cows. I took a few leaf photos, including one on the pavement in the parking lot and thought that I could work with those. Since I was using my Super-Takumar 50mm lens, I experimented a little with some bokeh shots. That’s when I took todays photo. If you are wondering what is standing in the background, they are chicken scarecrows that I shot for an earlier 365 (365-147). While doing the processing I decided I liked the image in black and white the best. It just added to the mystery. I am also throwing in few extra bonus images, all taken at the same location. All with Pentax K20D, Super-Takumar 50mm
Click on pics for larger view
Caged
© David Guidas
With this photo, I was experimenting with some alternative processing. I think I like it. It obviously would only work in a limited number of situations, especially where you want to isolate the main subject. Comments and opinions are welcome.
And finally the autumn leaf photos I originally planned.
What I Pic 
Love them all – the leaf is stunning!
Thanks. I know some may think that was a setup shot but that’s how I found it – I just looked down!
I completely agree with your decision to do black and white on that first image. That is eerie! I also like the color contrast of the leaf on the pavement.
Thanks Kraig. Eerie stuff just kind of fits the season. The contrast of the leaf really caught my eye. I was fortunate enough to be on a really black parkimng lot!
love the “bare tree” pic. good stuff
Thanks Nathan. Trying to push the sliders a little more to see what happens.
Beautiful photos!
The first picture (wire fence with 2 white figures) is very intriguing. It reminds me of some of the old supposed “ghost” photos I’ve seen.
The second photo (the tree) is wonderful. The processing gives it an antique look that lends a sense of history and importance that I think simple black and white (or even sepia) would not have conveyed. I’d rate this as my second favorite.
The third photo (the red leaf) is probably my favorite. The strong color saturation and contrast of the red leaf against the bluish-black of the background (as well as the textural differences) make me want an 11X14 framed and hanging in my home office.
I wish I could say I liked the other two, but while I don’t particularly hate them, they don’t seem special. I will admit, however, that this may be simply a perception resulting from the other three photos they’re grouped with.
Thank you for the careful insight. I have to agree with your analysis. The last two don’t do anything for me either but trying to get intriguing pictures of leaves remains a personal challenge.