Ramparts of the Cimarron

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 11, 20045,024 views27 comments

Mamiya RB67 Pro-S camera
Mamiya-Sekor 360mm lens
Fujichrome Velvia Classic film
Manfrotto Carbon One tripod

What I found so striking about this scene was the way these giant volcanic ribs looked like towers on some Tolkien-esque castle. I liked their juxtaposition with the brilliant aspens. I planned on going back a few days later to see if the green was gone, but ran out of time. Next year...

Comments

27 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Greer on October 11, 2004 at 9:27 PM

I HATE YOU! Damn, awesome shot!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 404 Posts, 1977 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Wilson on October 11, 2004 at 9:28 PM

WOW!!! I love the compression from the lens, I love the rythm, great image! I also like the drama created by the lighting causing those shadows on the sides of the butresses, it really adds to the shot.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2211 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Dolde on October 11, 2004 at 9:33 PM

Whoa totally awesome dude.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 305 Posts, 3900 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Helms on October 11, 2004 at 9:39 PM

Todd,
I've never seen such an image.This is beyond words and I mean that,too.You have out done yourself on this one.
Extra thanks for sharing

Registered on November 28, 2003, 37 Posts, 1005 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on October 11, 2004 at 10:10 PM

Spooky. The shadows on the towers make them all the more Mordor-esque. I don't think I've ever seen these rock formation before. They're an incredible element next to the aspens.

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

Comment posted by Jim Tomisser on October 11, 2004 at 10:12 PM

Todd,

My immediate reaction to this was "AWESOME," which is MUCH better than WOW in my book

.

I honestly don't beleive you'll ever make a finer image than this even WITH all the green gone. In fact, I like the green intermixed as to me it better signifies the changing season.

What blow me away most tech-wise are both the super dynamic range and shadow detail.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 54 Posts, 135 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on October 12, 2004 at 12:29 AM

Todd,

I find this to be one of your best images. The contrast between the rocks and the bright aspens is awesome.

Regards.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Weaver on October 12, 2004 at 1:00 AM

Outstanding Todd!!

I know just where this is!!

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

Comment posted by Marko Trebušak on October 12, 2004 at 1:26 AM

Hi Todd!

No NasCar specifications this time

? I like extreme contrast between vivid colours of aspens (

) and dark rock towers. 50/50 ratio is ideal here since it balance both extremes into a pleasant photo.

Good light
Marko

Registered on November 1, 2003, 98 Posts, 1260 Comments

Comment posted by Danna Richkun on October 12, 2004 at 2:32 AM

Just in case you haven't heard it enough already and would like to hear it one more time.... WOW!!!! (which is much better than 'Awesome' in my book :) )
What a gorgeous shot!! I don't think that bit of green takes away from anything at all. However, I can just imagine this scene a few days later in the season.. a hint of orange in the aspen would really highlight the color in the rocks.
This photo just makes me want to hang out in this spot all afternoon.
WOW!

Registered on October 3, 2004, 3 Posts, 7 Comments

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on October 12, 2004 at 3:30 AM

beautiful...Tolkien-esque BG indeed!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Phillip Noll on October 12, 2004 at 10:16 AM

This just plain sucks!

I was at the same spot and never saw this composition! Good work!

Registered on November 17, 2003, 207 Posts, 1083 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Fredine on October 12, 2004 at 11:24 AM

This is spooky-wierd in a very good way. The 50/50 split between the vibrant yellow leaves and the ominous stones above works well for me.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 148 Posts, 1464 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Jirka on October 12, 2004 at 12:02 PM

Todd,
This would be awesome in Large Format!!

But it is very nice anyway.

I think I would have cleaned up that dark branch/truck on the left side.

But a minor nit.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 254 Posts, 1620 Comments

Comment posted by Thomas Creel on October 12, 2004 at 12:04 PM

This strikes me as two separate scenes in one image, very effective. The contrast between the two scenes is striking. Of all the aspen images we see, this one definitely stands out as exceptional.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 104 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on October 12, 2004 at 1:48 PM

Todd, this is drop-dead gorgeous. I love the high contrast and how your composition brings out the sheer size of these formations. Are you still bummed about summer?

Guy

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

Comment posted by Michael E. Gordon on October 12, 2004 at 2:11 PM

If you're not yet bored, Todd, I'll go ahead and also say that this is excellent.

Just curious; did you shoot this 6x7 due to lack of reach with the 4x5?

Registered on November 1, 2003, 90 Posts, 2482 Comments

Comment posted by Todd Caudle on October 12, 2004 at 2:45 PM

Thanks Michael, and everyone. While I do have a 360mm lens (and a 500mm lens) and 6x7cm roll film back for the 4x5, I often travel with the RB system when I know I won't be leaving the truck overnight at a trailhead where it can get ripped off. I've used the RB for about 15 years, and the quality of the images it produces never ceases to amaze me. And it's so much less hassle than the Ebony. I'd be comfortable with using 6x7cm images as large as 20x24, maybe even 24x30, with a drum scan. The 360mm lens I use actually precedes the high-quality "C" coatings, yet it is the sharpest of my RB lenses. I just don't point it into the sun!

Registered on November 9, 2003, 472 Posts, 3705 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on October 12, 2004 at 9:45 PM

I don't know how i missed this one, this is an absolute beauty, just gorgeous. Excellent image Todd.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments

Comment posted by Carl Donohue on October 13, 2004 at 2:01 AM

Hey Todd,

A VERY powerful image! It continues to hold my interest for a long time. I agree with the comment above that it may not be as strong without the green.

Must have been awesome to see.

Cheers

Carl

Registered on November 1, 2003, 46 Posts, 589 Comments

Comment posted by Juza on October 13, 2004 at 4:25 PM

Todd,
what a fantastic juxtaposition of colors!
Outstanding photo...

Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments

Comment posted by George Hall, Jr on October 13, 2004 at 5:05 PM

WOW!! What a breathtaking image. Fantastic job!!

Registered on July 11, 2004, 283 Posts, 2395 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on October 18, 2004 at 1:41 PM

Just another WOW!!!

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Erik Stensland on October 18, 2004 at 3:13 PM

Todd, this really is terrific. I really like the lighting on the rocks as it does give them a great sense of depth and as someone else mentioned, an almost Mordorian look. There is one lone pine tree lost in the middle of the aspen and a branch sticking out below it. I'm surprised you didn't take your CNP axe with you and do a little on-site editing.

Great shot! Well deserved "Editor's Pick".

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on October 18, 2004 at 8:50 PM

Todd,

This is truly fabulous. The light throughout is stunning, but the luminosity of the towers is special.

Congratulations on the Editor's Pick!

All the best,

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

Comment posted by Mike Moats on October 23, 2004 at 7:35 PM

Hi Todd

You hit a grand slam with this shot.
I'm speechless!

Registered on October 20, 2004, 892 Posts, 6324 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Niebrugge on December 12, 2004 at 8:56 PM

This is awesome!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 12 Posts, 250 Comments