A Gathering

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 13, 2010403 views41 comments

... of some Western Junipers up on the Sonora Pass of the Sierra Nevada range. I've been going by this little arrangement of junipers for a number of summers now and finally decided I would try and photograph them.

Anyone who's ever been out photographing with me knows that I get antsy just sitting around. I want to be out shooting. Even high up in the mountains when the light is hot and bright, there is always something to find. Well, fortunately some summer clouds started accumulating and I was able to get this while under brief cloud cover. Captured just a couple hundred yards from camp.

As always your thoughts, comments and suggestions welcome.

4x5, 300mm, V100, f/45 @1s.

thanks!

Lon

Comments

41 comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on August 13, 2010 at 6:47 PM

Colors and bark textures captured are superb! Really a feast to see, esp larger version. I might be tempted to crop a tad off bottom...just my tastes. Green foliage w/new growth pops! Excellent find!

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Nielsen on August 13, 2010 at 6:50 PM

The cloud lighting is very soft and provides some nice even tones. I really like the combination of the reds and greens. I find the texture in the tree trunks and the twisted branches to be very appealing.

Registered on October 6, 2008, 137 Posts, 720 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on August 13, 2010 at 6:57 PM

This is gorgeous! Different from your usual tree images, and I like it. The contrast of the reds and greens is fantastic and the rocks help simplify the scene while simultaneously adding depth. One of my recent favorites from you.. I bet this one will really shine as a big print - this is the kind of shot where the 4x5 will really shine.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on August 13, 2010 at 7:10 PM

This is what I'm talking about Lon. Totally awesome and intimate scene. Blows your last post out of the water, in my opinion.

There is a lot to enjoy here, from the foliage, both top and bottom, the rocks behind the trees, and definitely those great looking Junipers. Very nice.

Stay antsy!

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 13, 2010 at 7:24 PM

This is beautiful, Lon! Great color, superb detail and a composition that just could not be any better IMO. The Junipers mixed in with the rocks looks wonderful along with a great foreground. Super!!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Bruce King on August 13, 2010 at 7:56 PM

Pretty sweet Lon. The details and colors are striking. Composition is excellent as usual. I'm with you regarding sitting around camp, if fact I'm going to pick up a diffuser and look for macros during the so called "harsh light." Anyway, beautiful image and as always I appreciate the comment on my recent image.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 13, 2010 at 7:57 PM

Love the color and light! And the comp with the'WV".

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

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on August 13, 2010 at 8:30 PM

I knew this was yours when I saw the thumbnail, and that's a compliment. It's just lovely.

- Dan.

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

Comment posted by Guy Tal on August 13, 2010 at 8:32 PM

Lon, this may well be a new favorite for me. I love these junipers but can't recall many images of them. I remember Dan has a beautiful rendition and this one is just stunning. I love the intimate composition and wonderful subtle color palette.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Kyle L. Krause on August 13, 2010 at 8:36 PM

Fantastic Lon, The composition and the framing of the trees are great,Nice find. I really like this image. Keep 'em coming. Great work Lon!

Registered on June 15, 2010, 29 Posts, 605 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on August 13, 2010 at 8:43 PM

A truly wonderful site, Lon. The intense color and detail in the wood is excellent. I like how the scene seems to fill the frame on all edges leaving little chance for eye wandering outside the main subject area. Looks like you really timed things perfectly to catch the right lighting here too.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on August 13, 2010 at 9:05 PM

Wow, to me this is certainly one of your best Lon, and that's not an easy thing to say. Colors are awesome, spot on. A screen full of delight. Sure, crop opps, but that's often the case.

It's about time you stopped and shot this dang gathering!!!

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on August 13, 2010 at 9:33 PM

I just love the color, shapes and position of the trunks Lon. The glorious detail in the foreground and upper leaves is also delightful especially in the large view. Magnificent image!

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Weaver on August 13, 2010 at 10:22 PM

Excellent in every way!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 226 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 13, 2010 at 10:26 PM

The red bark is the real eye-catcher here. From there, however, there's lots to explore texturally and color-wise. A very fine image. Your relationship with trees is very deep.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on August 14, 2010 at 12:05 AM

Wow, thanks everyone for your comments. Honestly, I wasn't even sure I wanted to post it. Yeah, I thought this was a solid image, but was about ready to rank it up there with my best or favorites. I guess it just goes to show you what we think of our own work vs. what others think can many times be many different things. I appreciate it very much!

Lon

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

Comment posted by Danny Laureys on August 14, 2010 at 12:27 AM

Lon, I love this, the color and the texture in the tree trunks are just beautiful, the comp is right on.

Registered on January 5, 2008, 590 Posts, 1261 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 14, 2010 at 2:46 AM

This has your trademark style written all over it--excellent!

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

Comment posted by Bret Edge on August 14, 2010 at 2:47 AM

The rich color of the wood is lovely, Lon. Fantastic composition, great combination of colors and textures - another instant classic. One of these days I've got to get up there to Sonora Pass!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on August 14, 2010 at 9:29 AM

Lon, you know I like this one. Very well done and just goes to show I should not have been sitting on my backside relaxing during mid-day light.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on August 14, 2010 at 11:20 AM

Gorgeous image Lon. Love the textures in it and the overall mood. Absolutely no suggestions.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on August 14, 2010 at 11:21 AM

A good example of how a simple scene could be a great photo. Love the color of the trunks and the arrangement of elements in the frame. Awesome work Lon.

Registered on July 22, 2009, 62 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Justin Reznick on August 14, 2010 at 1:38 PM

I'm with the crowd on this one, absolutely LOVE it! What really stands out for me beyond the obvious red bark contrasting with the greens, is that there is so much to explore in the image. From the boulders, to the bushes and grasses, it feels as though every component was carefully put into the frame and serves an overall purpose to the image. Fantastic work Lon!!!

Registered on November 24, 2009, 79 Posts, 515 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on August 14, 2010 at 2:43 PM

Hi Lon,

Great eye and a very appealing capture. This isn't my absolute all-time favorite of yours (Mono Lake Pano), but it is certainly one of the best, if not the best, I've seen from you in the last four months or so IMO. I agree with Floris I am sure this will look fantastic blown-up large. I love the stillness of the scene and patterns in the fg greens.

I think a bit of vignetting at the top corners and slight edge burning would subtletly enhance the image. I also feel, for web presentation, a 5 - 7% decrease in saturation would strengthen your presentation here. Overall, outstanding work. Congrats.

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by dean hebert on August 14, 2010 at 2:49 PM

Great lines and texture, I love how you've made "V"s out of the trees.

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on August 14, 2010 at 3:05 PM

Great color. and it looks like you nailed the exposure. The image is
aptly titled. Thanks for sharing, Lon.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Good on August 14, 2010 at 5:14 PM

I like everything about this image... especially how you hauled all that heavy gear up and over a mountain side to get it.

Your intimacy with these scenes really shows in the results. Good stuff, start to finish!

Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments

Comment posted by Luis Argerich on August 14, 2010 at 7:19 PM

Hi Lon,
I can see this coming from Lord of the Rings. Maybe Lon of the Rings

Colors and textures are really fantastic and the composition is very balanced to my eyes.

Registered on December 22, 2009, 91 Posts, 1349 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on August 14, 2010 at 7:53 PM

Fantastic Lon. A signature image of yours without a doubt. The contrasts in color with the red and green is remarkable. Composition couldn't be better. This is incredible, really incredible.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on August 14, 2010 at 9:26 PM

Excellent.

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on August 15, 2010 at 1:30 AM

lovely image lon. crisp with perfectly composed colours. the verticals really hold it together.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on August 15, 2010 at 7:26 AM

Wow ... this one really rocks, Lon. For me one of your best.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on August 15, 2010 at 11:12 AM

Haven.t been over on ES&S for quite a while, but I know your work. This is beautiful, color, comp, just has a very peaceful look. Excellent work as always Lon.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on August 15, 2010 at 3:02 PM

This is pretty sweet! I'd say I agree about it being your recent best. I don't see any real deliberation, or purpose in the comp. Not that it matters, cause it works extremely well. I figure this is what should be done with this subject. Fill the frame nicely and add some interesting stuff around the edges. I am always drawn to the beautiful colors of these trees, so I think the saturation drives that home just right.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on August 15, 2010 at 3:21 PM

Lon,

I can't count how many times I've walked past these trees, and always said to myself, "There's a shot here." Well, you done got it!

This is just sweet all the way around!

--ps: I'm going to quit showing you my 'secret' spots up there! <kidding, of course>

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on August 15, 2010 at 10:38 PM

The red trunks are quite impressive Lon. Your image is very well balanced. You have one hec of an eye Lon. Do you decorate your own house? Some of my photography skills spill over into my home life, and yet I'm not a very well organized person. I think everyone should experience using a 4x5 for awhile. Nice work as always.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on August 16, 2010 at 1:27 AM

For some reason, something about the way you referenced this image in your most recent post made me think that it hadn't received a very positive response here. Then I opened it and thought there's no way that could be the case, and it turns out that it isn't. Well, everyone is right. This is an incredible photograph that beautifully portrays the character of these trees. If they were portrait subjects, they would be very pleased with your results.

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on August 16, 2010 at 4:39 AM

this is awsome

amazing details & colors

the little yellow plant add a wonderful contrast here

well done

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Giovanni Allievi on August 16, 2010 at 5:49 AM

Lovely composition Lon !

Beautiful details and colors too.

Giovanni.

Registered on March 26, 2008, 87 Posts, 379 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Richins on August 16, 2010 at 10:01 AM

Could tell this was yours just from the thumbnail. Love the balance from the composition.

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

Comment posted by Laurent Baig on August 17, 2010 at 5:18 PM

Beauty, Lon!

Registered on January 12, 2005, 206 Posts, 6784 Comments