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chiral sunrise
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chiral sunrise

by Paul Zimski

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 5, 2010319 views15 comments
This is a sunrise shot of Willow Lakes, CO from late fall 09. Sun was rising behind and to the left of where I was standing. I was so busy trying to get the sunrise shot head on I almost didn't turn around to see this.

D90, 10-24mm, f/4, 1/30, hand held

Comments

15 comments
Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on January 5, 2010 at 4:22 PM
Wonderful shot Paul. The colors look great especially the greens and the blues. I suggest a slight crop on either side to clean it up a bit. You might also darken some of the blown highlights in the reds on the peaks, but that is very minor. It really is a very nice scene. Congrats. Michael
Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments
Comment posted by Jack Brauer on January 5, 2010 at 5:01 PM
Sweet shot, Paul! I've shot from the same spot before, camped out right behind you there, and jumped off those cliffs in the photo to go swimming (a very brief, cold, and refreshing swim!). That place is truly a paradise on earth!

The photo seems a little bit tilted CCW to me; otherwise a perfect shot! I like how the peaks are lit up, but not the clouds - a sign of special alpenglow.
Registered on September 12, 2005, 40 Posts, 627 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Greenwood on January 5, 2010 at 5:50 PM
I don't use Nikon equipment, so I checked B&H to see if the 10-24mm lens has IS. Unless I missed something, it doesn't. So in that case I think that you did well to capture this image at 1/30 second without a tripod. It's a very pleasant scene. The reflection is beautiful. I'm in near complete agreement with Michael's suggestions. The dark tree intruding on the right is somewhat of a distraction. But simply cropping this out completely might be too much of a crop though. I'd suggest a slight crop combined with some careful cloning to eliminate the tree. I don't think that the left side needs any crop. But I would suggest cloning out that small rock in the water on the left edge. I also agree that the sunlit peaks could benefit from some highlight adjustment, although this might be easier said than done, in order not to throw off the overall balance between the shadows/highlights in the scene and the reflection.
Registered on November 9, 2003, 229 Posts, 1523 Comments
Comment posted by Bret Edge on January 5, 2010 at 6:18 PM
Beautiful scene, nice sky and killer light. The color on the sunlit peaks seems a little intense. I suggest burning it about 1/2 stop darker and reducing the saturation just a touch. Really nice work, Paul.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments
Comment posted by Kenn Leonhardt on January 5, 2010 at 6:41 PM
Great mountain scene. I pretty much agree with all the suggestions you've already received, as a bit more processing would take this to the next level. Looks a touch bright overall. Burning and adding contrast to the sky would really give this some added punch.
Registered on March 29, 2008, 27 Posts, 1710 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on January 5, 2010 at 6:53 PM
A lot of potential here, Paul. Id start with the crops from the sides. The brightness seems a bit odd with the intense alpenglow, so maybe a little darker on the midtones would work. Nice shot!
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on January 5, 2010 at 8:23 PM
Beautiful scene, Paul. The sky/rocks look a little cyan/green on my monitor. I agree about reducing the brightness a bit too. Overall a very nice image.
Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Zimski on January 5, 2010 at 9:36 PM
Thanks for all the great feedback! I made some quick adjustments per the comments. Still need to buy a good editing program so I'm limited in what I can do. I'll have to go back in the Spring and try again for a better composition - its a 10 mile hike from the house. Though barring a forest fire, there is zero chance I would swim in that cold water. :smile:

Nice to meet you all.
Registered on January 4, 2010, 9 Posts, 18 Comments
Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on January 5, 2010 at 9:56 PM
What a glorious sunrise Paul, must have been wonderful to experience. I'd take a slight crop off the right and fix what appears to be a counter clockwise rotation. Lovely!

Edit - nice work on the repost. That's 10 miles from your house? Lucky you!!
Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments
Comment posted by Sarah Marino on January 5, 2010 at 11:56 PM
Hi Paul - This lake is number one on my late July backpacking list for next year, so I appreciate the opportunity to see your view of this place. This is definitely a pretty scene and I am sure you enjoyed witnessing it. I so see a little haloing where the ridge meets the sky (maybe camera shake?), but otherwise enjoy this photo a lot.
Registered on November 10, 2008, 23 Posts, 393 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on January 6, 2010 at 12:17 AM
Beautiful reflection Paul and gorgeous light. Good thing you turned around in time. Well done.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 6, 2010 at 6:41 PM
Paul,

I wanted to welcome you to NPN and the ES&S Gallery! This is a beautiful mountain scenic and reflection. It hasn't been mentioned yet (I don't think) but if you set back and look at this, I see what I can only describe as a "separated X" created by the slope of the mountain on the right and the line of the shadow on the left - and the added reflection. Kind of gives this please alpine scenic a little graphic touch and a symmetrical composition.

I would agree with the others about the crop and the processing. You already mentioned you didn't have any photo editing software, so it won't help too much to get in to luminosity painting, burning, etc. etc. This is real close and when you do get the opportunity, this image is certainly worth the extra tweaks because this should make a lovely print one day.

Welcome aboard,

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Rui Vieira on January 6, 2010 at 7:20 PM
Awesome scenario... The repost works better to me :wink:
Registered on September 11, 2008, 39 Posts, 246 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Zimski on January 7, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Thanks everyone for the feedback and the welcome. I've enjoyed having critical eyes and feedback on my photos. Looking forward to participating in the community.
Registered on January 4, 2010, 9 Posts, 18 Comments
Comment posted by Matthew Cromer on January 10, 2010 at 8:57 AM
Beautiful location and colors, Paul!
Registered on November 8, 2003, 42 Posts, 657 Comments