Inner Sanctum II

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 20, 2011382 views27 comments

Well, back from another hiatus.... Finally got some photography in and some very much needed time in the mountains. Spent a few days with Harley and Preston up on the Sonora Pass. Wildflowers were everywhere, but with the late season, the lupine hadn't really kicked in yet and there was still some small patches of snow. Any time in the mountains is always a good time.

For those who have been around at least a couple of years you may remember this western juniper. I love these old weathered and beaten trees - there is so much character and life, even though this one has already been perished for many years now.

Early morning and the strong Sierra sun was beating down on the other side of this tree. The open slot allowed for some beautiful reflected light from the hollowed out inside on the other side. I also tossed in some light with a reflector to this front side. A little broader view from my last capture of this, but I keep returning here to this little gem.

Your thoughts, critiques and suggestions always welcome.

4x5, Velvia 50, Nikkor 210mm, f/32 @1s.

Thanks!
Lon

Comments

27 comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on August 20, 2011 at 6:55 PM

Intriguing textures Lon. I really like the earthen wood tones you've captured.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on August 20, 2011 at 7:13 PM

Dig it. Great idea with the reflector. Didnt know that was standard gear for a landscape photog ;)

aF

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on August 20, 2011 at 7:17 PM

Great capture Lon! Such gorgeous color and detail, not to mention texture. The large version is spectacular.

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

Comment posted by David Edwards on August 20, 2011 at 7:36 PM

Wonderful light and texture, Lon. The details are amazing. The inner glow of light is fabulous, and the warm tones are beautiful.

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

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on August 20, 2011 at 7:39 PM

Lon, you have captured some stunning lines and texture. Looks great even in the smaller version.

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

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on August 20, 2011 at 7:45 PM

Lon - This is superb. Yes, the main, glowing attraction is small and somewhat centered in the composition, but it carries the whole photo from that position and is perfectly complimented by the darker creases. Perfect!

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 20, 2011 at 7:59 PM

This is wonderful, Lon. I love the color in this, your comp is great and the detail is just amazing. Beautiful work! I'm glad you got away for a few days of shooting and time in the mountains.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 20, 2011 at 8:42 PM

Slot canyon glow inside a western juniper. Perfect! Certainly adds a wonderful focus to the image. I really can't see anything that needs to be changed here, though I could maybe experimenting with "bluing up" the outer segment on the right to add more symmetry to the frame.

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

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on August 20, 2011 at 11:27 PM

Well Lon I'm glad that Fuji Velvia is still around. You are making very good use of it. It was my favorite 4x5 film. Still have some quickloads in the freezer. That glow inside the tree trunk really sets this off. Beautiful form and texture. I can see why you are drawn to it. Great work as always. I'm still learning how to photograph trees. Thanks for the tips awhile back.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on August 21, 2011 at 1:57 AM

Nice abstract of this western juniper Lon, your processing looks great.

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

Comment posted by Efim Chernov on August 21, 2011 at 3:07 AM

I really liked the picture. Balanced composition, expressive and volume texture. Bright accent in the center.

Registered on July 28, 2011, 6 Posts, 7 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on August 21, 2011 at 10:26 AM

Lovely! I'm glad you described where that internal glow came from, it's a wonderful addition to all of the vertical lines in the bark.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on August 21, 2011 at 10:47 AM

Simplicity and elegance in perfect quality. Excellent shot, Lon.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on August 21, 2011 at 12:52 PM

I love this, Lon! Great detail, and that sliver of light is perfect. I agree with Tony regarding boosting the blue a bit.

Great work, as usual!

--P

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on August 21, 2011 at 2:20 PM

Nice little detail abstract, Lon. Love the warm tones inside. I would pass on the extra blue, as I enjoy the light/color transition from left to right. For me, it adds an extra dimension to the abstract form.

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on August 21, 2011 at 3:57 PM

This is a sweet little abstract! Wonderful light from within, but also the reflector was genius here. I think I prefer warmth over cool, so if I were to try and do anything, it would be to warm up the left side. But I don't think I'd do anything to it. It's really nice just the way it is.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Robert Stough on August 21, 2011 at 4:03 PM

Masterful use of subtle tones and textures, Lon. The large version especially has wonderful depth and clarity.

Registered on November 20, 2010, 26 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on August 21, 2011 at 9:27 PM

Great shot Lon. Those get-a-ways are so restorative, and catching the details like this are a great way to remember them. Great find with the back lighting. Nicely done.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on August 21, 2011 at 10:18 PM

Lon, this is absolutely stunning. Your excellent composition with the detail and textures is remarkable enough but that touch of light glowing through takes this to beyond amazing. Love everything about this. Fantastic work.

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

Comment posted by Bruce King on August 22, 2011 at 3:37 PM

Simple composition but complex textures, lines and shapes. First organic slot canyon I've seen and I really like it. Superbly crafted image.

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

Comment posted by Jared Ropelato on August 22, 2011 at 8:25 PM

very nice shot and detail .

Registered on March 1, 2011, 25 Posts, 204 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 22, 2011 at 9:13 PM

Nice light and textures here, Lon--two thumbs up!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on August 22, 2011 at 9:14 PM

This is stunning, Lon.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 22, 2011 at 9:35 PM

Great eye to pull this out. Excellent texure, color, and lighting.

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

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on August 23, 2011 at 2:53 AM

I'm a real fan of capturing textures in nature, so this works great for me, Lon! The light creeping in is pure magic. Fantastic shot!

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on August 23, 2011 at 1:00 PM

I vaguely remember the other one - i think. Anyway, this is really well made. It is not so easy to make these images look compelling, but you managed - and I am not suprised. Colors, texture, composition - it all works really well for me. A very very good "intimate" image from you.

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on August 24, 2011 at 11:54 AM

Lovin the little bit of glow! Like your original post, this one has great texture and flow. We all know how much you love your trees!

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments