Cottonwoods in the Hills

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 11, 20111,432 views14 comments

This is from the Alabama Hills back in May. I go to the Hills a lot, but so far only in the afternoon and evenings, so I still don't have the classic sunrise on Mt. Whitney shot. This is a blend of two exposures to try to control the highlights in the sky. I also lightened up the green and yellow channels in the conversion to help bring out the highlights in the cottonwood trees.
Thanks and comments welcome,
Rudy

D700, 14-24mm f13, ISO 200

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on July 12, 2011 at 1:10 AM

Lots of wonderful patterns and textures to work with for a BW conversion. Needs a bit more contrast IMO, in particular more dark tones.

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

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on July 12, 2011 at 2:26 AM

Lot of interesting elements here. While i like the sense of depth and the inclusion of the dramatic sky made possible by the wide angle, i miss the prominence of the mountains in the frame a little.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on July 12, 2011 at 9:21 AM

Very dramatic sky. The trees really glow. Increasing the contrast in the hills would make them stand out even more.

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

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on July 12, 2011 at 10:17 AM

a very nice image rudy, wish to see more contrast in FG

Hamed

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on July 12, 2011 at 12:14 PM

Excellent capture, Rudy! Great choice for B&W, too. It adds nicely to the drama.

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

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on July 12, 2011 at 12:29 PM

Burn the right side of the sky in the shadows and mid-tones only to match the left side of the sky and this will really shine! You've got a great V-shaped cloud pattern there pointing right at the highest peak in the background, just waiting to be brought to life!

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on July 12, 2011 at 1:56 PM

Rudy,

I think this looks really nice. I think adding too much contrast will hurt the sense of enveloping light. I do agree with Marc that burning down the sky on the right will really make this sing.

I like being in the Alabama Hills in the late afternoon. The subtle changes in light, especially with nice clouds, provide opportunities for pleasing images, of which yours is a nice example.

--P

edit: Fixed a couple of typos

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

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on July 12, 2011 at 2:58 PM

This works well in black & white. A very dramatic sky. Excellent capture!

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on July 12, 2011 at 3:02 PM

Who needs the standard shot when you have this. I like the strong light and contrast and the blend looks good. My only thought would be to burn the sky darker on the right side to match the left side.

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

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on July 12, 2011 at 7:57 PM

Rudy - This is a pretty dramatic scen you've captured. The coulds really add another dimension to the shot. Your coversion has separated the FG tones well. Since the sun is from behind the mnts., I might expect the shaded side of the mnts to be a little darker. The distant Sierra seem to blend a little too mush with the mid ground. Maybe additing a bit of contrast to the distant mnts themselves mightkhelp them a little. Try selectivelybringing down the blues and cyan in the conversion?

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on July 12, 2011 at 8:34 PM

Agree on a bit more contrast but I like the wider view. I also like how the cottonwoods came out, almost like an infrared.

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

Comment posted by Barry Ashenhurst on July 12, 2011 at 10:10 PM

I agree with Kah, it needs a little more contrast Rudy, but not so much that you loose the wonderful sensation of light.

Registered on August 4, 2009, 253 Posts, 455 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on July 12, 2011 at 11:18 PM

I agree with Tony's comment about burning the right side of the sky. Very cool shot Rudy. I love the processing. Glad to see you posting regularly again.

Michael

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on July 14, 2011 at 9:33 PM

Just an excellent comp and conversion. Your work makes for a fine B&W landscape image. Good shooting in Colorado!

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