An Oh Shhht Moment!

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 10, 2011540 views43 comments

As I was follwing Lon out of the valley, we had to go past El Capitan Meadow to leave. This was the last couple of minutes of light filtering through the mist. It was a fleeting moment to say the least. Not only was the light going fast, but the mist was thin ning as well. I couldn't tell if I was focused or not, but tried my best and got off a few shots. This was rendered heavily blue. I've tried to neutralize it as best I could. I hope Lon was able to get a few too. I hope you enjoy it, and thank you for your thoughts. larger version included.

D200,
18-70mm,
3sec, F/13,

Thanks,
Chris

Comments

43 comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on January 10, 2011 at 8:39 PM

Very ethereal Chris regardless of your initial intention for this image. I like the warm upper portion and contrasting cool snow. Gorgeous capture!

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

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on January 10, 2011 at 8:39 PM

Rather than Oh Shht, I'd say Golly Wow. I love what you've gotten here.

- Dan.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Simpson on January 10, 2011 at 8:41 PM

I'm really glad you managed to pull this off! The light is really nice as is the comp. The fog adds a nice depth and mystery to the image. Great work!

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

Comment posted by Michael Hackett on January 10, 2011 at 8:46 PM

Great job, very mysterious!

Registered on January 12, 2008, 71 Posts, 192 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 10, 2011 at 8:50 PM

Chris,

You ^%*&^(*^$%#$^#^%)(*)(&(^%&^%^*_)(_&^(^(*&^%&^$$&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Couldn't wait could ya? And who slammed on his brakes for this eh?

All razzin' aside, this is gorgeous; the background fog is surreal. I think you did a great job with the colors, especially considering the sun had set to the west here and this looks like it's picking up that color. Blue hues would work as well.

Just incredible Chris. The only suggestion I have would be to perhaps crop out about 1/2 the snow below the logs at the bottom. The upper part of the trees is killer.

Can't wait to see my film, but as you know, I couldn't work as fast as you and I may have missed some of the fog...

I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to move this to M&N because of all the human footprints in the foreground... jk.

I'm loving this one

Lon

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

Comment posted by Mat Malone on January 10, 2011 at 8:51 PM

Wow talk about an awesome atmosphere. Hard to beat the fog in Yosemite Valley. Those 2 trees together are such strong, graphic forms.

Registered on December 15, 2008, 91 Posts, 882 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Duval on January 10, 2011 at 9:12 PM

This is really one of those as you are saying I think Oh Shht I hope this comes out, because the light is special, the mood with the mist and the snow in the trees, aww you just make me jealous. You pulled it off Chris this is like one of my favorite images of yours. It's the sunset glow the mist background and the snowy oaks as the main subject. Lucky for you had to go back that way .

Paul

I see since Lon was actually there his reaction was a little more intense

Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Lawson on January 10, 2011 at 9:26 PM

Stunning. Love the fog and bits of snow on the trees. I agree with the idea of cropping out some of the snow at the bottom of the image.

Registered on March 3, 2008, 29 Posts, 337 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 10, 2011 at 9:35 PM

This is excellent Chris. The mood it conveys is so nice. I love the color in the mist and the comp you've chosen. It seem so quiet and mysterious. the large version is a knock-out.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 10, 2011 at 9:56 PM

Lovely light. The warmth in the mist makes this very special. I like the tight framing too with the trees bleeding off the edges. Could actually see taking a bit off the bottom.

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

Comment posted by Danny Laureys on January 10, 2011 at 9:59 PM

Excellent, love the mood in this

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 10, 2011 at 10:08 PM

Just Beautiful! What a wonderful feel this has. I can see just a little off the bottom too. Love this one.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

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

Comment posted by Art Escobado on January 10, 2011 at 10:31 PM

This is excellent

Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on January 10, 2011 at 10:31 PM

The first thing I thought was that this is one of the most beautiful presentations from you so far, and there have been many of late. The second was that a small crop from the bottom would strengthen this even more and this was before reading Lon's suggestion.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on January 10, 2011 at 10:44 PM

Beautiful!

Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on January 10, 2011 at 11:13 PM

Chris: Not bad for a grab shot

. Spectacular light and atmospherics. I think I would crop away about half of the snow at the bottom and then print it large. Superb image.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Wegemann on January 10, 2011 at 11:58 PM

I'm with the other folks who suggested a small crop from the bottom, but otherwise this is just drop dead gorgeous!

Registered on December 14, 2006, 58 Posts, 1888 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on January 11, 2011 at 12:38 AM

Spectacular conditions, loving the glow surrounding the tree. Lon beat me to it, but I would also suggest a crop from the bottom. Great shot!

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on January 11, 2011 at 1:05 AM

Man, now it is getting scary, honestly. With this one you have risen to the Charles Cramer league. What a beautiful piece of photographic art!

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

Comment posted by Abdullaziz Bin Ali on January 11, 2011 at 1:06 AM

i like the atmosphere here
what if you enhance the color a little bit more in the BG
just an opinion

Registered on May 31, 2009, 112 Posts, 1590 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on January 11, 2011 at 1:35 AM

Spectacular Chris. The fog, hint of warmth and the gorgeous trees... wow. I would definitely crop some off the bottom as others have suggested, perhaps all the snow below that lowest fallen branch, giving a tight composition all around (and eliminate those footprints if that's what they are). Fantastic.

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

Comment posted by Brigitte Lorenz on January 11, 2011 at 2:13 AM

Wow, fantastic atmosphere, great comp....wonderful work!

Brigitte

Registered on January 10, 2009, 187 Posts, 1507 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Roane on January 11, 2011 at 2:22 AM

great mood, here, Chris. Sweet! I agree with Tony about cropping a bit off the bottom.

Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on January 11, 2011 at 2:28 AM

Awesome! I have been there and seen the same kind of light and fog, but not as perfect as the conditions here in this sweeeet image. Congrats on another killer image.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on January 11, 2011 at 2:29 AM

Chris,

Just stunning! I wish I could have been there.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Luis Argerich on January 11, 2011 at 2:52 AM

Hi Chris,
It looks really nice, misterious shot with a very calm palette of colors.

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

Comment posted by Gary Crabbe on January 11, 2011 at 3:23 AM

Awesome. My first thought same as Lon's; loose 1/2 the FG snow & you have a solid 3 run homer.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 182 Posts, 1840 Comments

Comment posted by Lori Kincaid on January 11, 2011 at 7:35 AM

Wow, absolutely wonderful mood and atmosphere here. You may have had to work fast, but you nailed it!

Lori

Registered on November 15, 2003, 90 Posts, 2033 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on January 11, 2011 at 8:06 AM

I echo the great mood, neat light, and fine details.
Great work CC

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by richard remington on January 11, 2011 at 8:41 AM

Chris,

I love the fog and mystery of the shot. I wish you had given it slightly more room as the branches are cut off and the scene looks cramped.

Rick

Registered on March 12, 2010, 105 Posts, 368 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on January 11, 2011 at 9:49 AM

Man Chris, this is OUTSTANDING!

Really like everything about this one, the mood you've captured is incredible, the soft light and hint of color works perfectly and is very moving. I also really like the comp, the fg gives a nice sense of space and the main trees have very dominant lines and pull it together. Very easy as the viewer to place yourself into this scene and just enjoy it!

Killer shot Chris, bet this would look amazing printed large! Well done.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on January 11, 2011 at 10:18 AM

Excellent capture here, Chris.....

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

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on January 11, 2011 at 11:40 AM

Simply mesmerizing photograph Chris, it belongs in the AA Gallery.

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

Comment posted by Edward Nunez on January 11, 2011 at 1:43 PM

Chris, Wow... What else can I say. Beautiful light, excellent composition, great details, and moody as well. May be your best!

Registered on April 19, 2007, 65 Posts, 711 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on January 11, 2011 at 3:57 PM

Sweeet!!! As mentioned, crop the crummy snow at the bottom and you have a real winner!

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

Comment posted by James Fougère on January 11, 2011 at 4:56 PM

Epic Light, nice scene, you have captured it very well

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on January 11, 2011 at 5:23 PM

I like the contrast between stark limbs and that soft glow in the bg. Very effective.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Jason Kim on January 11, 2011 at 6:12 PM

Beautiful and ethereal, the color and light are wonderful here. I love it.

Registered on July 1, 2006, 60 Posts, 1233 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on January 11, 2011 at 9:56 PM

Very cool light! Def agree about cropping the bottom. Kinda wish there was more room on the other 3 sides but overall dig it. Good stop lon ;)

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on January 12, 2011 at 8:27 AM

Very powerful image, Chris. The mysterious light gives it such a strong ethereal mood. Very different from the usual images of the valley ad in a very good way.

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

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on January 12, 2011 at 6:23 PM

Love it! The fog and the bare trees combine to create some great atmosphere. I agree about a small crop from the bottom.

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on January 12, 2011 at 7:27 PM

Stunning, Chris!

Other than a slight drop from the bottom, as Lon suggests, there are no nits from me.

This reminds me quite strongly of Ansel Adams' "Oak In Snow, Yosemite" (my favorite Adams photograph.)

Outstanding work!

--P

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on January 14, 2011 at 1:39 AM

Thank you very much everyone! I think the crop suggestion is a good one, and I'll make the adjustment. Not sure why I didn't just do it myself. Only explanation I can think of is, that I hate to change my aspect ratios!

Chris

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