I believe that both of these images are effective. The combination of strong diagonal tree trunk lines and small curving pine branches at the tree tops are good contrasting subjects. I like the second photo a bit more; the dizziness factor does not detract me.
On a bright or sunny day there are often white clouds or brighter sections of the sky that creep into this genre of photos. You want to keep those from dominating or overpowering the images. It can be a challenge to find an angle and point of view that minimizes and/or covers over such intrusions. I think I would crop off the bottom of the first photo to eliminate that straight bare branch surrounded by white. And similarly crop off the far right side of the second photo. I might also crop off the far left side of the second photo placing the large lower left tree truck in the corner. Even with the crops I believe I still prefer the second photo, and both work for me.
Bark texture is important in telling us about the trees we are looking at. This aspect of "treeness" is better depicted in the second photo, which is a big part of the reason I like that one better.
I believe you are correct. They do appear to be Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) which are in the Pinaceae (pine family). Although they are not of the large Pinus genus which contains the trees specifically named pine. It is not incorrect to call them pines even though it may not be the most specific term.
I believe you are correct. They do appear to be Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) which are in the Pinaceae (pine family). Although they are not of the large Pinus genus which contains the trees specifically named pine. It is not incorrect to call them pines even though it may not be the most specific term.
If they were Hemlocks. wouldn't the bark be all reddish brown? I haven't seen a Hemlock in a few years NOT infected by the Woolly Adelgid. Maybe further north it's not so bad (yet?)
I'd say the foliage is from lower surrounding trees which appear to be hemlock and the trunks appear to be white pine. Look at the second picture again. Just my opinion. Nice shots, anyway.
Okay, I'm looking at the foliage and I think that is hemlock. Even the branches high up look thin and spindly compared to white pine. I don't see any white pine needles.
I went to your webshots for the full size. On there it's easy to see the large trees are white pines and that here you're seeing the close up understory. Those are some nice trees. I've got a huge white pine in my yard that I love to sit under and hear the wind rustle through the needles.
I'm pretty sure they were eastern white pines, but there were hemlocks, red spruces, and firs all in the same area. GOod chance one of the Hemlocks branches got into the pic....
There just happened to be a few, old, and huge pines at the end of the trail. They look so different when they get to be that large.
Nice images! They are both very nice compositions.
I see hemlocks under white pines, but now I really have to get over there to see these huge trees. I've been wanting to get there but now I have someting to investigate.
