West Fork Winter Wonders

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 29, 20091,440 views32 comments

Two nights ago it was snowing heavily at my house (4000ft) - highly unusual. So, I figured West Fork would get a great treatment, as it is up Oak Creek Canyon at about 6500ft. The clouds cleared up around midnight and the temperature dropped way down - perfect!

I set out well before sunrise and entered the mouth of the canyon right before the sun came up. 4-6 inches of fresh snow mixed with a half iced over and near flood stage creek made for precarious crossings, not to mention slow going. All told I made it about 3.5 miles total in seven hours. It was worth every slip, step, and wet boot.

The way that snow reflects light in deep canyons, mixed with the contrast between white and red makes for some incredible scenes.

40D, 17-70, Pol, 4 stop ND, frozen tripod

Comments

32 comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on January 29, 2009 at 1:42 PM

I think this is a really good comp. Nice exposure control.
I am only wishing for warmer colors. Maybe since it is winter you did not see them this way, but I think that would help make it even better. Especially the water reflections.
Just me probably.
Morris

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on January 29, 2009 at 1:52 PM

Oh wow, a beautiful photograph Kurt. Love the light and the soft slightly muted look. The combination of light, red canyon wall and fresh snow is extremely appealing.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Richins on January 29, 2009 at 1:54 PM

Very cool shot. I'd like a little more light in the ULC if only to make the icicles stand out more. I think it would add a nice touch.

Registered on March 6, 2008, 113 Posts, 1009 Comments

Comment posted by Kerry Leibowitz on January 29, 2009 at 2:03 PM

Looks great to me--I love the splash of light on the right-hand canyon wall, the reflections in the water and how you handled the exposure. I wouldn't change a thing.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 167 Posts, 5800 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on January 29, 2009 at 2:13 PM

Outstanding. I like everything about this image - the comp, the light, the colors, the subject. Very well done.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 29, 2009 at 2:14 PM

This is very nice Kurt. I like the comp here a lot, as well as the color.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Patel on January 29, 2009 at 2:19 PM

This is beautiful. Excellent shot and wonderful lighting.

Registered on August 28, 2008, 87 Posts, 566 Comments

Comment posted by Joel Hazelton on January 29, 2009 at 3:56 PM

I recognized that as the West Fork as soon as I saw it. Nice work! The warm reflection is superb, and I like the frosted trees. I've been planning on heading up there this winter after a good snowfall, but I can't seem to pull myself away from my beloved desert. This shot has given me some new motivation though...

Registered on August 6, 2008, 194 Posts, 1315 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Dolde on January 29, 2009 at 4:44 PM

Very nice. I know what you mean about hiking here when there is snow and ice...very treacherous.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 305 Posts, 3900 Comments

Comment posted by Balakumar Kaushik on January 29, 2009 at 5:00 PM

Lovely image. Nicely composed. Loved the colours in this image. Your planned efforts paid off...

Registered on January 4, 2008, 98 Posts, 1403 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on January 29, 2009 at 5:11 PM

Wow!
I've never seen any images from here before, so this is a fine introduction.
The light is spectacular, as is the composition. All of your hard work rally paid off here.
I think that this could use a bit of 'local contrast enhancement' (or 'haze removal') by using Unsharp Mask settings:
Amount-20
Radius-50
Threshold-0
This also seems to 'warm' things up just a taste, as noted earlier.

Regardless, this is a real fine image to behold.

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Olson on January 29, 2009 at 6:07 PM

I like this a lot! I really like the subtle colors here, it's a very relaxing scene! Nicely done!

Registered on April 7, 2007, 169 Posts, 725 Comments

Comment posted by Kenn Leonhardt on January 29, 2009 at 6:07 PM

The soft light is so very nice. Genuinely beautiful.

Registered on March 29, 2008, 27 Posts, 1710 Comments

Comment posted by Tyson Fisher on January 29, 2009 at 6:46 PM

Looks like it was well worth the hike Kurt. You definitely captured the mood on this one! Seems like it could use a little contrast boost, mostly in the lighter areas.

Well done!

Tyson

Registered on September 17, 2008, 44 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on January 29, 2009 at 7:58 PM

Kurt - I love this photo. It looks great to me just as it is, but I would love to see a repost with John's Unsharp Mask suggestion. I've never used that myself and probably many others haven't as well, so it would be a good learning opportunity for many. Thanks

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Veltri on January 29, 2009 at 9:59 PM

The light and color with the snow and winter feel is very beautiful in this image. Nice job.

Registered on February 3, 2007, 51 Posts, 1077 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on January 29, 2009 at 10:53 PM

This is magical.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on January 30, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Kurt,
I just opened this and let out a sigh as I whispered "Oh Man!"
I am so glad you made that early trip to capture this. It is truly an inspirational image.
I love every inch of it, from the ripples at the bottom to the bands of snow disappearing from the top of the scene.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Chris White on January 30, 2009 at 12:38 AM

Kurt,

A beautiful image. Wonderful texture, detail, light, and exposure (right speed for the water). I agree with Morris' comment that it could be pushed a bit warmer --- some of the snow looks too blue, to me, and warmer colors on the cliff might enhance this already excellent shot. Thanks for posting,

Chris

Registered on February 27, 2007, 61 Posts, 945 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on January 30, 2009 at 1:11 AM

What an awesome shot Kurt. Perfect timing and light, it's got that Oak Creek Canyon radiating glow. I'll be up there in Sedona Sat thru Tues morn. Was there once on Oct and the water was cold! Couldn't imagine it now.

Let me know if you'd like to meet up at all.

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Giovanni Russello on January 30, 2009 at 4:50 AM

The view is breathtaking. The colours are fantastic. But frankly, I think that the composition is a bit "soft". I would have liked to see this more at water level and a bit more on the centre of the river.

gio

Registered on January 21, 2007, 95 Posts, 1617 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budde on January 30, 2009 at 10:59 AM

Wow, thanks for all the comments everyone. This was definitely an awe inspiring scene to shoot - I can't wait for the next snowfall.

Re suggestions; I tried to warm it a bit, however, the original was already very cool. It just doesn't look right to my eyes, as this is very close to how it was already. About the LCE, I'll give it a try, though with a bit of a different approach, I find that particular USM method too harsh sometimes.

Giovanni - Yes, I would have liked to take several different compositions. However, I was standing on a snow bridge between two rocks about 5 feet above the creek. This was the only dry location to compose from. That sort of crit is very though provoking though, and I will make sure to take a closer look next time - thanks!

Registered on May 19, 2008, 39 Posts, 246 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 30, 2009 at 5:26 PM

Kurt,

This is stunningly beautiful. The composition is top notch, but the lighting and colors really make this for me. I wouldn't change a thing. Beautiful work.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on January 30, 2009 at 10:31 PM

This is great! You don't see too many images from Sedona, I'm not sure why that is, as it is a stunning area. Wonderful light you've captured here.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cox-Leigh on January 30, 2009 at 11:03 PM

Great composition and the light is exquisite -- it gives such form and substance to the background cliffs. I really stunning image as-is.

I am happy with the blue/yellow balance; but, I might bump the green/magenta balance a tad towards magenta. I find there is a slight green-ness to the whites and a touch pinker reds wouldn't hurt either (I calibrated just yesterday, so I think I'm seeing a fair representation).

Registered on August 8, 2008, 25 Posts, 228 Comments

Comment posted by Karsten Wrobel on February 1, 2009 at 8:37 AM

wow, this is superb... I like how the river at the bottom leads me into the image... wonderful soft light, beautiful pristine atmosphere

Registered on November 1, 2008, 117 Posts, 851 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Huski on February 1, 2009 at 11:45 AM

Fantastic image. Well captured and well worth the efforts.

Registered on August 17, 2008, 61 Posts, 340 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 3, 2009 at 6:56 AM

I somehow missed this in the gallery--fantastic shot, Kurt, congrats!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on February 3, 2009 at 11:50 AM

Great image indeed! Congrats!!!

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budde on February 3, 2009 at 12:31 PM

Thank you again everyone! And for the pick!

Hopefully this winter gives me a few more opportunities with these conditions down there.