Cooked Greens

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 20, 2011436 views34 comments

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on the previous image.

A little play on words with this one. I at least tried not to "cook" the greens, but the title is more related to location as this was captured on the outskirts of Cook's Meadow in Yosemite Valley, back in May with Harley and Preston. Actually, Preston's recent image was taken in the meadow to my left. He and Harley were just out of view, bottom left of this image.

Curious to hear you honest thoughts and critiques with this one. I did and still do enjoy the variety of green seen here during the late, but beautiful spring in the valley.

4x5, Nikkor 300mm, Velvia 50, f45 @1/2 and polarizer.

Thanks!
Lon

Comments

34 comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on June 20, 2011 at 7:31 PM

The first thought for me was this would look great 8x10 (or maybe even 4x5). Its the kind of scene that really needs the unbelievable detail the eye could see translated into the print. I'm glad you shot it that way. Very simple clean and sound shot. No nits.

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

Comment posted by Buck Ward on June 20, 2011 at 7:35 PM

Well, the greens certainly don;t look cooked to me. I do enjoy your composition, with the meadow and spring green trees in the lower portion with the branches and new leaves against the darker mountain, arching over all. What a beautiful scene.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on June 20, 2011 at 7:43 PM

Lon, this is not a "wow"-type of image (when looking at the web-sized version). It is very peaceful and you can look at the photo again and again and still enjoy it.

I really love the lush green and soft light. Size really matters for this type of image. The small version looks not bad. The large one, on the other hand, is so beautiful.

The small pine trees in the foreground are slightly distracting, however I know you cannot cut them down

Registered on April 28, 2011, 38 Posts, 733 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on June 20, 2011 at 7:48 PM

the variety of greens is captivating and the image carries the freshness of spring. It is a really beautiful image. I rather wish only one of the fg branches was present and the view to the forested slopes opened up just a bit but that's a personal preference. Gazing into the distance has always been a passion of mine. The new leaves on those branches certainly add their share to this comp. It's very nice.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Sarah Marino on June 20, 2011 at 8:05 PM

Hi Lon - wow, this is gorgeous. I like everything about the composition, but the framing of the top branches is probably my favorite part. The lighter greens at the center of the frame and the details in the background add a lot of depth. Beautiful image.

Registered on November 10, 2008, 23 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on June 20, 2011 at 8:14 PM

Knew it was urs from the thumbnail. I love the range of greens too. Well framed. If I ever get to Yosemite I am dragging you out with me!

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

Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on June 20, 2011 at 8:56 PM

Gorgeous, Lon. Indeed the spring greens in CA can "look" and seem too hot but they are extremely lush and vibrant. The fg branches provide a beautiful frame for this image, love it

Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on June 20, 2011 at 9:43 PM

I like this overall very much and feel the overhanging trees with soft light on those pale green/gold leaves is absolutely essential for this image. Just a great image.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on June 20, 2011 at 10:08 PM

Like Paul, I knew this was yours from the thumb. In other words, a signature image. I love the variety of greens here and the presentation is very elegant. Outstanding

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

Comment posted by Paul Duval on June 20, 2011 at 11:12 PM

Well the delicate Oak branches framing the image from above like a wedding arch is very artistic, and not in the soppy way I'm describing it. The new leaves really offset the greens in the rest of the image. Fine layers and details that have to been seen in the larger image to be appreciated.

Paul

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

Comment posted by Danny Laureys on June 20, 2011 at 11:41 PM

Excellent!!!! Love the greens. The large version is beautiful

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

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on June 21, 2011 at 12:44 AM

Yes, this conveys spring nicely! The greens and the light transport the feeling very well. The framing at the top, with the backlit leaves is really well made to - quite "Overacker-ish"

Maybe the few bushes (or small trees) intrude a bit - (the border control has spotted something

) - not a big deal, but this makes this composition slightly less "clean" that most of your work. I guess something that will not really bother your audience, because this is about the beautiful scene and the spring feeling as such.

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 21, 2011 at 1:04 AM

This is stunning, Lon. While the greens are vibrant and gorgeous, the 'calligraphy' of the branches against the valley walls along with the subtly backlit leaves makes this really one amazing image to me. Exquisite composition. I wouldn't change a thing. A print has to be a real jaw dropper.

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

Comment posted by Alister Benn on June 21, 2011 at 4:09 AM

Impressive image, the delicate arch over the greens makes a great frame, the colors are nicely saturated without being too intense (even for Velvia) I am sure the details are a joy to behold on a larger file/print.

Registered on June 9, 2011, 23 Posts, 258 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on June 21, 2011 at 4:53 AM

lon, i love the greens, subtly simmered here. i'm not the greatest fan of tree branches coming in from nowhere but yours frame the middle distance trees very well and the backlighting is great. but those branches mean that this is far from my favorite of yours - but there's a high bar you're setting yourself!

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Mohammad Hosseini on June 21, 2011 at 10:42 AM

Another wonderful image from Lon.

Registered on May 16, 2011, 15 Posts, 301 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 21, 2011 at 10:59 AM

I was looking at this last night, but didn't have a chance to comment. I like this a lot - it's not dramatic in the sense of grand light or location, but it's carefully composed and processed well. Sometimes I get "drama overload" and find I enjoy a "getting back to the basics" image even more than normal. This image has all the traits of a finely crafted image where the photographer has a bigger impact than does the light.

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

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on June 21, 2011 at 11:40 AM

This is a very beautiful and pleasing scene. I really like your composition. I like the different greens in here.Awesome shot

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 21, 2011 at 11:41 AM

This is beautiful Lon. I love the dark branches and bright leaves against the rock wall.Lower trees are wonderful too. This is a perfect composition in my mind. This is also an image that needs to be printed.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 21, 2011 at 12:59 PM

This is magnificent Lon. Beautiful light and color. I like how the upper branches of the foreground trees catch the light as well as add some contrast to the scene. Beautiful work.

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on June 21, 2011 at 1:12 PM

I was wondering what you were up to over there, Lon. This works nicely for me. The depth is excellent, due in part to the atmospheric haze. That dog hair pine tree at the bottom-near middle is a bit distracting, but you probably couldn't do much about it. I love the greens.

Nice job, as usual.

--P

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

Comment posted by Bruce King on June 21, 2011 at 2:00 PM

Nice image that definitely carries your trademark Lon, the intricate details are great. Only thing at all distracting is the small, dark branch intruding on the greenery at the LL edge. Not a deal breaker though. well done.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Barry Vangrov on June 21, 2011 at 4:10 PM

Just a lovely image, Lon. I like that you don't tend to over-saturate - which seems to be an unfortunate tendency that I see more and more of - but let the natural colors speak for themselves rather than punch you in the face. More subtle but much more real and beautiful.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 148 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 21, 2011 at 4:12 PM

I will be the contrarian. I am enjoying the colors, but the composition is not kicking me back on my heels. I think cloning out the little foreground pines would help some.

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

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on June 21, 2011 at 4:22 PM

send me a large print plzz

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 21, 2011 at 6:46 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments and candor. I appreciate it. You know, I'm sure you all have been there, trying to find something different in a place that has been photographed to death. Yosemite Falls blasting behind me, Half Dome towering out of frame to the left, the famous Chapel out of frame to the right... so I end up shooting some not so famous trees....

Thanks folks!
Lon

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

Comment posted by Tom Haxby on June 21, 2011 at 9:29 PM

Beautiful in every way.

Registered on July 6, 2006, 126 Posts, 647 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on June 21, 2011 at 9:31 PM

I love the spring greens here. It's a pretty well crafted comp as well. The criss crossing overlapped upper branches frame the scene well. A few minor edge intrusions, but like I said, minor. I really enjoy everything about this even though it doesn't hit me the way my favorites of yours do.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Bruce Omori on June 22, 2011 at 9:22 AM

Lon, you're the master at shooting trees! Love this one, just as all of your other tree shots! Great execution.

Registered on December 6, 2010, 6 Posts, 175 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Greer on June 22, 2011 at 2:36 PM

Beautiful Lon! You know me, I love green!!!!!

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

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on June 23, 2011 at 8:00 AM

A beautifully constructed composition. The slightly translucent lightness in the upper leaves contrasts so well with the darkness behind.

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

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on June 26, 2011 at 11:40 AM

This is amazing Lon, definitely one of my favourites from you. The frame is completely filled with wonderful detail and light. Love the comp with the natural framing and backlit leaves at the top of the shot.

Cheers, Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Mohammad Hosseini on May 25, 2012 at 9:55 AM

I love looking at this images again and again Lon. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Registered on May 16, 2011, 15 Posts, 301 Comments

Comment posted by Mohammad Hosseini on July 31, 2012 at 10:44 AM

Hi Lon,
I just want to say for the second time, I really love this image.

Registered on May 16, 2011, 15 Posts, 301 Comments