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Summary (Question)
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Summary (Question)

by Kent Mearig

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 1, 2011349 views27 comments
"Summarizing Indescribable"

Not words nor images can encompass the grandeur of the Yosemite Valley, but this scene struck me as having a unique combination of some of the most recognizable highlights. Limited time and all-day photography destined the majority of my interpretations for black and white (tradition may have played a subconscious role). This was the singular portfolio quality color image from the visit.

Thanks for viewing and for your thoughts.

Question: I would love to know definitively, if possible, the name of this meadow and the type of the tree. The view is from the side of the Happy Isle Loop road, on the right as I was returning from the Nevada Falls hike. I believe it is directly across the road from the Curry Camp (based on Google maps). I did see one photo that labeled the meadow as Curry Meadow, but there was another calling it Stoneman Meadow. I know there are experts out there. Thanks for your help everyone. It's much appreciated.

Comments

27 comments
Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on August 1, 2011 at 6:58 PM
Beautiful scene and the light is perfect. The touch of clouds on the top is a nice addition, too. I like this a lot.
Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Pelton on August 1, 2011 at 7:07 PM
Very, very nice, Kent.
Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments
Comment posted by Sarah Marino on August 1, 2011 at 7:48 PM
Hi Kent - the lighting here is really beautiful. I also like the composition and mood. Really nice work. I also enjoyed all three of the black and white images in your blog post. The last one is my favorite. Looks like you had a great trip.
Registered on November 10, 2008, 23 Posts, 393 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on August 1, 2011 at 7:52 PM
Yeah, that afternoon harsh light actually works well to back light the trees in this meadow. I have a similar one featuring the elm, but without the falls. I like it! Yes it is a magnificent place, eh?

Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Crabbe on August 1, 2011 at 8:02 PM
A superb rendition, indeed.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 182 Posts, 1840 Comments
Comment posted by Joseph Kayne on August 1, 2011 at 8:05 PM
What fantastic backlighting!!!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2619 Comments
Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on August 1, 2011 at 8:32 PM
Love that side lit tree Kent. It really pops. It also contrasts nicely with the background shadows. Very nice image.
Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments
Comment posted by Kent Mearig on August 1, 2011 at 9:35 PM
Chris - I guess I'll admit to my extreme lack of knowledge about trees (at least away from home), and thank you for clarifying the type for me.

Such a magnificent place!
Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments
Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on August 1, 2011 at 9:50 PM
Really wonderful. Must be one of the 'warmest' photos in your portfolio ;)
Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on August 1, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Kent,
I was actually referring to another, iconic tree from Cook Meadow. That tree is an Elm. This looks like a Black Oak to me, though I'm not positive. From this angle of view, it looks to me more like Ahwahnee Meadow, and not Cook. My mistake, sorry for the confusion.

Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on August 1, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Wonderful combination of the warm light on the tree and meadow with the dark, moody, and blue atmosphere behind.
Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments
Comment posted by Stuart Williams on August 2, 2011 at 2:59 AM
picture postcard perfect! well composed, glorious light, what more could we want?
Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments
Comment posted by Matt Anderson on August 2, 2011 at 6:11 AM
Kent this is awesome. I'm a nut for tree's and waterfalls, and this has it all.
Wonderful light and framing. Makes me want to go visit this spot.
:toast:
Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on August 2, 2011 at 3:47 PM
Excellent composition!!! The cloud at the top is icing on the cake! :toast:
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on August 2, 2011 at 4:29 PM
excellent elements & combination

i like it :smile:
Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments
Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on August 2, 2011 at 4:29 PM
excellent elements & combination

i like it :smile:
Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 2, 2011 at 5:29 PM
The lighting on the tree and meadow looks beautiful. The background, well, its beautiful too! It really does look like an amazing place. Great comp too,including the falls really worked nice! Beautiful image. :toast:

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Verdon on August 2, 2011 at 5:34 PM
Kent great shot, love the back light and the clouds/fog over waterfall, sorry can help you with names, but for sure it is a beauty! :toast:
Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 2, 2011 at 6:09 PM
Great color, tone, and texture contrasts in this image. You also have a perfect balance in the bright foreground and shadowed backgroud. Excellent work!
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Cliff Dodge on August 2, 2011 at 7:39 PM
Sweet scene! Nicely composed.
Registered on March 25, 2006, 125 Posts, 507 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 2, 2011 at 8:50 PM
Wonderful perspective, excellent light, Kent. What a unique take on Yosemite.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Svein-Frode on August 3, 2011 at 8:41 AM
Great light and stunning capture! Really love this one, although the waterfall seems a bit "out of place" pushed that far towards the edge of the frame.
Registered on November 13, 2003, 9 Posts, 277 Comments
Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on August 3, 2011 at 1:00 PM
I would think Lon or Youssef could answer your question, but I can't be of help beyond saying that I think (as Chris said) that this is a Black Oak. Nice shot . . . classic Yosemite, particularly with the falls in the background. I really like the black and white shots posted at the link as well.
Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Clothier on August 3, 2011 at 1:13 PM
The backlighting is very nice and I like the placement of the falls. Nice job using the midday light. I enjoyed your black and white images also. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments
Comment posted by Tim Donnelly on August 3, 2011 at 6:22 PM
That light showing of the tree is so very beautiful! Very majestic scene
Registered on March 2, 2011, 13 Posts, 54 Comments
Comment posted by Chikku Baiju on August 4, 2011 at 5:55 PM
Lovely light on the tree. The depth is wonderful here.
Registered on January 9, 2010, 31 Posts, 246 Comments
Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on August 5, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Classic comp and beautiful backlighting Kent. Very well seen.
Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments