P#34: A Colorful Aspen Grove in Fall

Less is More

Terry Donnelly: The next picture of the aspen grove was also taken in the Tetons, but obviously not winter. It was taken this fall.

This particular image is one of my favorites. It's one of those intimate, personal images that the questioner asked about earlier in the interview.

I think it is very intimate because, first of all, there is no horizon. It's a very small location, and it's a very quiet scene. The light is very soft and there is not all that much color going on. It's a very colorful picture, but it's only one color or one family of colors, so it's a basic theme. (click the image for a larger version)

You have a line of grasses, then a little bit up above them is that triangular wedge of willows moving in and out of them. You have some younger yellow aspen in the background of an aspen bough with much redder foliage on it. Then to contrast the whole thing are these bluish white aspen trunks kind of clattering in it. It's just such a different change in texture from the rest of the scene.

This is my version of a short story or the piano trio as opposed to the big thunderous symphony or the big ponderous novel. It's just a quiet, small scene of very few elements, and soft light.

In Closing

If you want intimate photographs that catch the eye but don't overwhelm the senses, this photograph is the perfect example of how to achieve your goal. Terry explains that sometimes keeping it basic is best, and that's how he approached this beautiful aspen grove shot.