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Maples on the Merced
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Maples on the Merced

by Preston Birdwell

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 2, 2010273 views20 comments
This image was made in early November looking across the Merced River at 'Valley View' in Yosemite.

I really liked these gorgeous maples against the darker conifers and their reflections in the water.

I would really appreciate your comments and thoughts on composition, color and tonality.

Tachihara 4x5
300mm Nikkor
Astia 100-F
f-22 @ 1s
11/04/2010

Many Thanks,

--P

Comments

20 comments
Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on December 2, 2010 at 7:40 PM
The trees do pop nicely due to the light. No nits from me - a great shot
Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Greenwood on December 2, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Nicely seen and captured. It's probably an illusion, but it looks ever so slightly tilted to the left to my eye.
Registered on November 9, 2003, 229 Posts, 1523 Comments
Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on December 2, 2010 at 8:51 PM
Preston,

I try every time I am there in autumn to make a photo of these two trees. I love them as well and have never been satisfied. Its all about the light and you my friend nailed it, you got these in the perfect light. I love it.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on December 2, 2010 at 9:17 PM
Nice, intimate, quiet, peaceful.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Bruce King on December 2, 2010 at 9:51 PM
Like the smoothe polished fg and the contrasting trees in the bg really stand out well. I'm in awe of you film shooters. :toast:
Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 2, 2010 at 10:20 PM
I am with Youssef. I have tried to make these trees work and always failed. You wonderfully succeeded with this one. I really like it a lot! A real beauty, PB!
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Julian Barkway on December 3, 2010 at 3:42 AM
Absolutely love it!
Registered on January 18, 2007, 344 Posts, 1961 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 3, 2010 at 6:52 AM
The maples stand out nicely, great light, comp, & colors Preston.
Like the look of those reflections at 1 second too..
Well done! :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Richter on December 3, 2010 at 9:03 AM
Your picture makes me understand why you just had to take this shot! The reflection in the water is inimitable.

Peter
Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments
Comment posted by Jay Patel on December 3, 2010 at 9:12 AM
Nice use of contrast to highlight the fall colors. Good work.
Registered on August 28, 2008, 87 Posts, 566 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 3, 2010 at 1:07 PM
Preston,

Count me in as another 'tog who has spied these trees for a number of years in all different seasons and yet I've never been able to visualize a comp. You've done well here and I think have captured a wonderful image from Valley View (sans El Cap, etc....)

The reflection is wonderful and the colors, contrast etc. all look good to me. No nits or suggestions.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Jason Kim on December 3, 2010 at 3:49 PM
The colors and tones here are very nice, I especially like the reflected light on the water, which seems to be a mix of the yellows in the leaves and the greens/browns in the submerged rocks.
Registered on July 1, 2006, 60 Posts, 1233 Comments
Comment posted by Laurent Baig on December 3, 2010 at 3:50 PM
Nice Preston! Excellent light for these trees
Registered on January 12, 2005, 206 Posts, 6784 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on December 3, 2010 at 9:17 PM
Superb, Preston. The light on the trees has created such a wonderful glow. Outstanding.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments
Comment posted by Jay Martin on December 3, 2010 at 9:34 PM
This is great! the maples have nice separation from the BG and the reflection and detail through the water are awesome. Based on the reflection of the maple trunk on the right you could rotate this a tad CW as Jim mentioned.
Registered on December 6, 2005, 200 Posts, 2209 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on December 3, 2010 at 11:07 PM
Hey Preston, this looks real nice. Colors are great, and I enjoy thre comp. I know this spot, and this image is giving me a little case of Deja Vu. I like that you can see all the submerged rocks there.

Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 4, 2010 at 1:11 AM
Many thanks for your kind comments, everyone!

I did rotate the master image image just a bit to correct the slight tilt of the horizon. I not even notice it until it was pointed out by Jim and Jay. Good eye, gents, and thanks.

--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 4, 2010 at 9:47 AM
This is just beautiful, Preston. I love the light and the color and reflection are fantastic. Wonderful peaceful feel this has.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on December 4, 2010 at 11:06 AM
What a very quiet and peaceful look to this one, Preston. The glow is perfect without being over-tweaked to obtain this very colorful density. :cool:
Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 5, 2010 at 12:13 AM
Thanks for all your comments. They are very much appreciated!

I stil have a few more from this Yosemite trip that I'll be posting here, or at CANP.

Thanks again!

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