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Mosquito Moonset
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Mosquito Moonset

by Dean Sauskojus

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 22, 2011346 views17 comments
The mosquitos were brutal on the Beartooth Plateau this summer but I was able to get a few shots at this lake above 9500 feet without losing all my blood. I provided a larger version so you could see the moon a little better.

As always thanks for taking a look. Any critique, opinion or anything else you would like to add would be much appreciated.

Comments

17 comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on August 22, 2011 at 6:05 PM
Well done, Dean, A gorgeous setting and a fine evening sky. I discount the moon, which isn't much more than an artifact at this size. In fact, I would be tempted to clone it out.
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Pelton on August 22, 2011 at 7:36 PM
Beautiful scene, and excellent use of foreground in comp.Very nice, Dean.
Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments
Comment posted by Tom Haxby on August 22, 2011 at 8:02 PM
Nice scene - well captured. The moon does nothing for me.
Registered on July 6, 2006, 126 Posts, 647 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on August 22, 2011 at 8:09 PM
What a beautiful scene. I'd love to be sitting there right now! A very nice image, with sweet light. I can't say if the moon would be worth keeping in a large print or not. But at this size, I'd say lose it. I find myself spending too much time trying to see it, when the rest of the image is what I should be enjoying. If that is not the case in a print, then I'd say keep it.

Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Jared Ropelato on August 22, 2011 at 8:23 PM
really love the fg. Nice color too
Registered on March 1, 2011, 25 Posts, 204 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 22, 2011 at 8:56 PM
Overall, Dean, i think this is a keeper. Some nice light and colors, pretty scene, presentation is on target. Ordinarily i dont care for big fg rocks blocking my view, but theres some cool ponds up front that add interest here. My only nit is that the best color is tucked awya on the far left side, i wonder if it were possible to make that more of the main subject here. :wavey:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Crabbe on August 22, 2011 at 9:14 PM
A very pretty scene with all the right elements. Unfortunately the overall comp just isn't nailing over the back wall for me. The adjective that came to mind was 'loose', like stuff just needed to be wrestled into a tighter, neater comp. All that said, it still doesn't negate anything regarding the overall beauty of the scene.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 182 Posts, 1840 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 22, 2011 at 9:40 PM
That's really special light, Dean. The reflections make is seem like the far land forms are floating in the sky.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on August 22, 2011 at 9:51 PM
A lot of really nice elements in this one. Great light, nice color, and the processing looks spot on. Beauty!
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on August 22, 2011 at 10:45 PM
I really like the infinity edge to the lake. Great colors and light, too. The moon is a little to small to be effective, but still a fine image. Nicely done.
Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments
Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on August 22, 2011 at 11:55 PM
I wasn't really trying to make the moon a sub main subject but just an added element. I would have preferred that it was more located to the left side. At this size it doesn't really matter. You need to take a look at the posted larger image. Might as well leave it in, right?

Stan, sure would have been nice to include more warm lit mountainside but it would have thrown the whole balance off.

Gary, I don't know how I could be much neater. The clouds could have been better yes. But I take what I can get with the limited time I have.

Thanks all for the comments.
Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Clothier on August 22, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Great composition Dean, you might try burning down the reflection of the mountain on the far left hand side, seems a bit bright compared to the light hitting the mountain. The vignette seems a bit heavy in the corners up top, but perhaps you added this in post. These are very minor nits to an otherwise great photograph.

Edit: I disagree with the others about the moon. I would leave it there. I have a panoramic with just a crescent moon and at 12x36" the moon looks great, one of my best selling prints..

Glad you survived the onslaught of mosquitos... :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments
Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on August 22, 2011 at 11:58 PM
Thanks for the comment Zack. I'm in total agreement.
Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments
Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on August 23, 2011 at 2:17 AM
Hi Dean,

These lakes shots are a lot harder than they seem. Interesting choice of foreground matter. The contrast and color in the rocks and mounds of grass look great. I think you could tone down the highlights on the left side a bit if you are going to print. I like the color of the sky and the deep views - the hightlights of the reflected light in the water in the right center should be burned down or reduced. Overall, it is a color presentation of a rarely seen place. Solid work Dean.

Michael
Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments
Comment posted by David Edwards on August 23, 2011 at 5:01 AM
A beautiful scene, Dean. Very peaceful and calming. Who could imagine it was swarming with mozzies! Love the vivid colors in the scene, in particular the nice combo of red/orange and green/yellow. The comp looks nicely balanced to me courtesy of that fabulous upper cloud. The large version takes me in even further. Nice one!
Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 23, 2011 at 8:11 AM
What a beautiful scene!! In the large version I feel like I'm right there. I sure love the light and color on the cloud right below the moon and also again on the left side mountains. The reflected color there is also very nice.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on August 24, 2011 at 12:57 AM
Beautiful, Idyllic image, Dean. Love those rocks in the foreground, the design of the pond in the foreground, and that beautiful light and color. The moon adds such a nice added touch, making this all the more special. Your image really has that feeling of place.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments