In The Light

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 28, 2011524 views41 comments

For just a few moments, the sun came out at the end of the snow fall. The clouds on the right moved in and covered everything in an overcast of diffused light a few minutes after this was captured.
Large version included, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

D200,
18-70mm,
1/60th, F/16,

Thanks,
Chris

Comments

41 comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on February 28, 2011 at 10:06 PM

The photo lends a great deal of credence to the comparisons of Yosemite Valley to a cathedral beyond the scope of the hands of man (even the mind almost). I do want some part of the clouds to match the snow in brightness, but I don't know if that would work or be right here.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 28, 2011 at 10:11 PM

Man, this is sweet Chris! Seems like an ice palace, with a cathedral spire shooting upward. You MUST print this large! Excellent photography.

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

Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on February 28, 2011 at 10:27 PM

Incredible!

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

Comment posted by Bob Miller on February 28, 2011 at 10:35 PM

Nice pp and b&w work but seems too contained within your border presentation.

Registered on January 24, 2005, 152 Posts, 405 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Cordes on February 28, 2011 at 10:52 PM

Super comp. The oimage looks like it could be an IR image.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 451 Posts, 3366 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Duval on February 28, 2011 at 11:15 PM

I know it's not, but the light striking those snow coated branches gives this image an infrared glow to it.Just breathtaking Chris, This has been such a special winter in the valley makes one wonder what spring and the falls will be like.

Paul

PS: See what being able to put up with a little discomfort will get you.

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

Comment posted by David Bostedo on February 28, 2011 at 11:26 PM

Very very nice Chris. The nearest tree really sets off the looming peak. Technically I like the glow and tones, but maybe a little oversharpened for the web?

Registered on May 5, 2006, 178 Posts, 2224 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 28, 2011 at 11:34 PM

Oh good grief, Chris. What an incredible image. Must make quite a print.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 28, 2011 at 11:47 PM

WOW! Fantastic image Chris! The contrasts make this almost surrreal. Love it!

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

Comment posted by Jason Kim on February 28, 2011 at 11:54 PM

Chris, I'm starting to wish I had been in Yosemite instead of Sequoia for that storm. This is awesome. I'm also reminded of an IR image. Your processing is great.

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on February 28, 2011 at 11:57 PM

Tony K: "Oh good grief, Chris"

That's exactly what I said! Man, this is gorgeous! The tones are right on the money, and the comp works very nicely, indeed. My eye does get drawn to the open sky area on the right, but the image holds together in a pleasing way.

Nice job!

--P

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on February 28, 2011 at 11:59 PM

Don't do that to yourself, Jason. You have some beautiful shots from your trip too. I keep kicking myself for not getting down along the river after seeing our other Jason's great post "Winter merced", but I have to be happy with what I chose to pursue. I'd love to have a shot of the giant trees in a storm like you captured.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on March 1, 2011 at 12:36 AM

Holy Cow, Home Run, right out of the park.
The lack of clutter combined with the strong components really sets this winter Yosemite photo from the rest. Your BW processing is fantastic.
A+

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Art Escobado on March 1, 2011 at 12:49 AM

Very interesting conversion - the tones are sharp and crisp. However I find the cloud "softness" or "blur" a slight distraction here. Was this done in pp?

The prominent towering dark rock looks imposing.

Ahh I saw the larger version. Less distracting than the smaller size. Nice shot!

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

Comment posted by Andrius Pašukonis on March 1, 2011 at 12:50 AM

For a second I thought it was an IR shot. Those trees look amazing. A very strong picture!

Registered on July 23, 2005, 111 Posts, 408 Comments

Comment posted by Arild Heitmann on March 1, 2011 at 5:13 AM

Almost looks IR. Amazing shot and i bet it will look wonderful printed large!

Registered on October 13, 2010, 27 Posts, 378 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on March 1, 2011 at 7:05 AM

What's not to like Chris?? Awesome.

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

Comment posted by Bob&Charly Nelson on March 1, 2011 at 7:44 AM

Awesome Chris, an over the top 10 in my eye.
Bob

Registered on October 27, 2005, 289 Posts, 4202 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on March 1, 2011 at 8:05 AM

Killer shot Chris, this is stunning! Love your comp on this image, and the mono conversion looks great to me. I really like the high contrast presentation. What an amazing place to be.
Congrats!

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

Comment posted by Paul Gasior on March 1, 2011 at 8:18 AM

Perfect
look amazing i like comp.

Registered on March 7, 2010, 99 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Stefan Gimpl on March 1, 2011 at 8:35 AM

stunning black and white. congrats

Registered on May 12, 2007, 26 Posts, 184 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on March 1, 2011 at 8:36 AM

This is awesome, Chris. I love the winter photography you have done. Excellent work.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on March 1, 2011 at 10:53 AM

Great image and bw conversion. A very well balanced comp.

Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on March 1, 2011 at 11:02 AM

That is a real beauty, Chris. It has a very IR look to it. It will make an outstanding big print.

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

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on March 1, 2011 at 11:50 AM

Very impressive tonal range, comp, and conditions Chris. Congrats on another stunning image.

Michael

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

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on March 1, 2011 at 11:58 AM

Stunning image Chris! Your composition really captures the scale of the valley and showcases the conditions perfectly . . . exceptional work. One of the more memorable Yosemite images I've seen in some time.

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

Comment posted by Justin Reznick on March 1, 2011 at 12:09 PM

Another Yosemite stunner, a real pleasure to see your images from the trip Chris!

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on March 1, 2011 at 12:36 PM

This is stunning!

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

Comment posted by Dennis Harding on March 1, 2011 at 5:59 PM

This is great and no distortion. Looks to me like Ansel shot this one with a 4x5 and his 120mm Angulon.

Registered on January 19, 2011, 33 Posts, 408 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on March 1, 2011 at 7:50 PM

I was gonna say 'good grief'--but i see that phrase has already been worn out. So, ill just shut up and soak in all this awesomeness...

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

Comment posted by Jason Blankenship on March 1, 2011 at 8:08 PM

Another awesome one, Chris!

Registered on May 20, 2008, 15 Posts, 94 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on March 1, 2011 at 8:51 PM

That is some light. I have no thoughts. My mind stopped when I looked at this.

- Dan.

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

Comment posted by Gino Cortez on March 1, 2011 at 9:28 PM

The larger version is luscious! The frosted trees, small strip of foreground, monolith, and floating clouds are beautifully composed, sharply in focus, and almost seem IR...especially the foreground trees which solidly anchor the pic....Really nice!

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

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on March 2, 2011 at 1:26 AM

I am loving the stark contrast here Chris! No nits, great image!

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on March 2, 2011 at 1:52 AM

Chris,

Just frickin' awesome. I too thought IR for a moment... but no matter, this is just spectacular. I here by give up. The black oaks are just on fire. No words.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on March 2, 2011 at 9:33 AM

I see i'm not the only one that though IR. SWEET image man!

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on March 2, 2011 at 6:43 PM

You just keep bringing stron images, Chris. Love the strong contrast and your comp is superb.

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

Comment posted by Jared Ropelato on March 2, 2011 at 6:50 PM

Top notch shot. It's been said repeatedly, but this does look very much like an IR image. Great contrasts. Very stark, very beautiful image.