Stormy Upper Owens

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 27, 2011177 views16 comments

I shot this a few weeks back on a cold windy afternoon off the benton crossing road. since the clouds were putting the fg in shadow I knew the tones in the river would need to be strong to carry the image. I actually thought of AA's Snake River shot from the tetons when mentally figuring if this would image would work. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this. Especially concerning if it looks naturally blended, at least at this size. ;)

tech: three image blend, sky, mountains, and land in PS CS2 by hand and converted to b&w in PS CS2.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on April 27, 2011 at 7:09 PM

Blend looks very natural to me. My only critique would be the patchy snow in the foreground. I know you can get up here pretty quick from your place and I'd love to see this without it, as I find the bright spots competing with the river lines. Quite a beautiful sky.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Cory Freeman on April 27, 2011 at 7:16 PM

thanks Marc, I have mixed feelings about the snow as I thought the same. but it doesn't seem to bother me as much now? Yep, I've got some summer tstorm ideas for this spot. ;)

Registered on December 16, 2003, 107 Posts, 1341 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on April 27, 2011 at 8:09 PM

Or even sooner? Keep in mind, the river level lowers then and shows it's banks here. Without the high water I'm not sure such a curve would be as nice. Then again, the chances of there being clouds around in May or June isn't real high either. In any case, you are close by and this is a spot lots of people aren't too familiar with so it's got all the potential for the future you could want.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on April 27, 2011 at 9:21 PM

I like the contrast and B&W conversion Cory. Works for me.

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

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on April 27, 2011 at 9:26 PM

I'd say the blend is just about perfect. You have a wide tonal range from the brightest highlights to the deepest shadows. Yet there is detail throughout. The clouds add fantastic drama and the foreground stream leads my eye through the frame. Excellent work. Thanks for sharing!!

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on April 27, 2011 at 10:27 PM

I really like the comp and tones, and the blend looks good, too. I also like the full look of the river. This is one of my favorite places to go after a day of skiing at Mammoth. I probably spent 5 to 6 evening last winter shooting somewhere along this stretch of road, usually in knee deep snow.
Nicely done.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on April 27, 2011 at 10:29 PM

Very strong image and comp IMO, Cory. The blend is pretty seamless. Very nice.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on April 27, 2011 at 10:49 PM

Wonderful comp and light, Cory. My eye ride the river right into the scene.

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

Comment posted by Paul Duval on April 27, 2011 at 11:20 PM

Cory,

With the deep snowpack, the river should stay pretty high for awhile, barring some real warm days back to back in the high country. Lovely image, with the shadows in the fg the snow doesn't seem to intrude to badly.

Paul

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

Comment posted by Jesse Estes on April 28, 2011 at 12:37 AM

Very nice B&W here Cory. I like the contrast and the nice flowing comp...

Registered on April 13, 2011, 20 Posts, 174 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on April 28, 2011 at 1:09 AM

Very natural looking blend, and the b&w conversion is great!

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

Comment posted by David Edwards on April 28, 2011 at 6:08 AM

A beautiful b&w, Cory. The blend looks very natural to me. I love the snaking S curve leading into the image, which also seems to continue up into the clouds.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Cory Freeman on April 28, 2011 at 8:44 AM

thanks for sharing your thoughts everyone!

Registered on December 16, 2003, 107 Posts, 1341 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on April 28, 2011 at 4:43 PM

Looks good to me. Gotta love those b/ws :)

aF

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

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on April 29, 2011 at 1:17 AM

I think this looks pretty fantastic, and I wouldn't even have considered a blend if you hadn't mentioned it. The sky and the light on the mountains are special.

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

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on April 30, 2011 at 1:50 PM

Beautiful B+W. Excellent use of the s-curve and line with great lighting and scene.

The image seems just slightly too contrasty to me more in the highlights. Maybe in needs to be that way, but that was my first impression.

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments