Pillars of the Sun

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 16, 2011337 views30 comments

One more from the redwoods in the hills above Oakland, CA. Doesn't look wintery, but was taken on December 26th. I'd love to hear your thoughts. larger version included.

D200,
18-70mm,
1sec,F/9.5,

Thanks,
Chris

Comments

30 comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on February 16, 2011 at 6:27 PM

Very nice shot! Your control of the dynamic range is striking; I can't believe this isn't a blend. Amazing you had such a productive morning . . . your other shots from this day are also superb. Must be hard to choose a favorite! And that's a wonderful thing to say after a day in the field.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on February 16, 2011 at 6:29 PM

very nice back light

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

Comment posted by Erik Stensland on February 16, 2011 at 6:30 PM

This is magical Chris! Those beams are perfect and you did an amazing job with the exposure!

Registered on September 27, 2004, 121 Posts, 718 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 16, 2011 at 6:43 PM

This needs to be accompanied by a choir or organ music.

And what's with the no snow?

Your comp and pp are top notch here, Chris!

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

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on February 16, 2011 at 6:52 PM

Very nice shot - great beams. The white stripe down the middle is a small nit for me but I think you did an amazing job with the tough light conditions.

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

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on February 16, 2011 at 7:04 PM

Think just take the darks down to add some contrast but that's some sweet light ya got going on. Nice one :)

aF

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

Comment posted by Peter Richter on February 16, 2011 at 7:09 PM

Chris, it is amazing how the trees are separated from the background and how you still captured the texture of the bark. Maybe I would darken a bit the bright stripe in the center. Anyway, great work!

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Joshua Hardin on February 16, 2011 at 7:10 PM

A wonderfully graphic and dramatic image. If I had any critique it would be to darken the blacks just a tiny bit as there's so much shadow detail pulled out there isn't really any shadow left - that could just be my monitor talking though.

Registered on July 29, 2006, 40 Posts, 414 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 16, 2011 at 8:24 PM

Fabulous light Chris! Very ethereal! I think Morris summed it up with were is the choir and organ music. Beautiful work. BTW - If ya need some snow, I can send you some.

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

Comment posted by John Mumaw on February 16, 2011 at 8:29 PM

Couldn't have said it better than Morris. Breathtaking!

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Wade Hardy on February 16, 2011 at 9:39 PM

Magical image Chris. Outstanding!

Registered on May 2, 2006, 121 Posts, 1824 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 16, 2011 at 9:45 PM

Beautiful light and comp. I like how you held the textures so well in the light and dark areas.

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

Comment posted by Paul Duval on February 16, 2011 at 10:09 PM

Chris did you see the fire damage marks on the bark of these trees? Redwoods are fire adapted trees not as much as the Sequoia which require it for propagation. their cones will not open and throw their seeds unless heated above a certain temperature. I don't believe the redwood are that fire dependent but for me that is the nuance that little spice that makes this image very neat and special

Paul.

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

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on February 16, 2011 at 10:46 PM

In a spiritual way this powerful, Chris.

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

Comment posted by Gino Cortez on February 16, 2011 at 11:28 PM

Wow! Superb detail in the trees. Those light beams give this a mystical, religious, renaissance feel. I thought the only religious entities around Oakland were the Mormon Temple and the First Baptist Church on San Pablo Ave.

Great shot!

Registered on November 23, 2010, 57 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Marshik on February 16, 2011 at 11:44 PM

First impression -Stunning
Second - Stunning
Ok, the shadow detail feels slightly awkward as in a little too much. The greens also seem a little strong on my monitor.
otherwise
STUNNING

Registered on February 1, 2011, 10 Posts, 103 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on February 17, 2011 at 2:01 AM

Gorgeous light, Chris. I would darken the shadows a bit for increased drama.

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

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on February 17, 2011 at 3:34 AM

Some great light that's for sure, I might also darken the shadows just a bit.

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

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on February 17, 2011 at 8:33 AM

Very nice, Chris. Your exposure looks perfect! Well done.

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on February 17, 2011 at 11:06 AM

Wonderful light here. I like the comp too. A bit of an artistic license, but I was thinking the light would fit the scene a little more if it was warmed a touch. TK masks would make an easy job of that.

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 17, 2011 at 11:29 AM

Super nice Chris. You handled the exposure here as well as it could be handled - very impressive. A gorgeous image - needs to be printed large!

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

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on February 17, 2011 at 12:23 PM

Great shot- tough task to exposure well this: you've done a perfect job indeed, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on February 17, 2011 at 12:24 PM

The beams ar perfect. gorgeous light. FANTASTIC

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on February 17, 2011 at 4:13 PM

Great title Chris! Works amazingly well. The first time in a while I have a technical nit - I think the bark is a tad too bright. Not sure but it looks like if you pulled up the shadows a bit. Other than that, this works great. The comp is strong and the feeling of awe comes through very well.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 17, 2011 at 7:13 PM

Wow, this is great, Chris. I love the comp and those light beams are awesome.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 17, 2011 at 7:31 PM

Nice! Great set, Chris--i have got to get back there some time... Im with Rick on the center bright line as a minor nit, but otherwise this looks great to me.

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on February 17, 2011 at 11:30 PM

Another winner! I like this a lot.

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

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on February 18, 2011 at 8:37 AM

Chris - WOnderful job controllng the highlights and shadows. Just enough details in the shadows. I feel the power within these magnificnet trees- a mystical quality with the fog and light shafts.