Road to Enlightenment

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted May 31, 2010625 views13 comments

Another favorite from the Palouse Workshop I taught with Kevin McNeal and Adrian Klein. This was the first morning of the workshop. The clouds looked ominous as we were driving toward Steptoe, but the clouds lifted a bit and the sun was able to peak through creating some incredible atmosphere and light.

Full disclosure, this is a version where I cloned out some grain silos. This is going to be one of my show prints this summer, and I liked the feel of this version better.

5DII
70-200+1.4 extender + Polarizer
Double processed single raw file 1/30, f/16, ISO 640

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Wayne Simpson on May 31, 2010 at 1:33 PM

Zack,
This looks like a freaking dream!! I love it as is, however my first instinct is to crop to just below the distant building and from the right. By doing this it simplifies the comp and really uses that road to sling shot the eye around. I would be curious to see a repost if you choose to try it. OBVIOUSLY this is great as is, just my two cents!

Wayne

Registered on December 11, 2006, 303 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on May 31, 2010 at 1:40 PM

Here is what you described Wayne. For me, it gets rid of a very important element of the image the atmosphere, but it is very dynamic and I can see why some people would prefer this version.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Simpson on May 31, 2010 at 1:48 PM

With a pano crop just above your logo I love this version. There is still enough of the atmosphere at the top for my liking and the diagonals carry the eye around nicely. Obviously just one persons opinion and others may feel differently. As I mentioned before, I love the original as well!

Registered on December 11, 2006, 303 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on May 31, 2010 at 1:53 PM

Just for you Wayne

Yep, I like this version as well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Simpson on May 31, 2010 at 2:11 PM

Sweeeeeeeeet, I love it. Thanks for humouring me!

Registered on December 11, 2006, 303 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sogn on May 31, 2010 at 2:40 PM

What a great capture! And as usual, your processing is impeccable. It will make a beautiful print.

Registered on January 17, 2007, 68 Posts, 210 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Becker on May 31, 2010 at 2:50 PM

Just beautiful no matter how you crop it. I like all three versions.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 76 Posts, 182 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on May 31, 2010 at 3:04 PM

Outstanding! I love this. I totally enjoy looking at this, Zack. I like your original post better and for the reason you said. I can also see why some people would like the second one. This is really nice work!
Now I see the 3rd version...I like it too. Good stuff

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, Wi

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on May 31, 2010 at 8:19 PM

I really like the mood of this image so keep the haze in. I would love to have any one of these versions in my portfolio. Print this large!

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on May 31, 2010 at 10:36 PM

Really can't go wrong with this any way you crop it. Superb light and the tree makes a great focal subject.

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

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on June 5, 2010 at 6:21 PM

AWESOME image Zach! That golden light on the tree is just plain spectacular!

Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on June 6, 2010 at 8:16 AM

Sweet! I love it, especially the original version.

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

Comment posted by John Williams on June 9, 2010 at 10:40 AM

The light is perfect here Zack. Each of the crops works well!

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments