Weathered Wood

As we were driving along the Avenue of the Giants we drove across a very cool looking bridge over Elk Creek*. Just after the bridge was a pull-off, so we parked and walked a path down to the creek. There aren’t a whole lot of deciduous trees, so there weren’t many changing leaves. I took some pictures of what yellow leaves I could find–took pictures of the girls playing in the stream–took pictures of the bridge overhead–then I noticed this wood. I fell in love with this wood, or at least, was fascinated by it. It is so beautiful.

*Google Maps is amazing. I didn’t remember what the creek was called (this trip was two years ago), but I had taken a picture of the distinctive bridge. I searched along Avenue of the Giants and found the places where a stream crossed the avenue under a bridge. I then zoomed in with the little person for a 360 view and was able to find the exact stream and bridge where we stopped.  Maps has helped me many times find places we’ve previously visited.

The original photo was dull. I wanted to bring out the texture. Even though I liked the coolness, I decided to warm it up ever so slightly (that really makes the moss pop). I increased the contrast and clarity, and I lowered the highlights and brightened the shadows. I sharpened and then reduced the noise. I used adjustment brushes to further increase the contrast and clarity of the exposed wood pieces, and reduced the exposure just a touch on the top wood. Here’s the original:

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