The Recesses

Gallery: LandscapePosted September 12, 20111,433 views9 comments

I was backpacking in the Sierras a few years ago when I took this shot from Pioneer Basin, looking across Mono Canyon to the Mono Recesses. I most likely used a 2 or 3 stop grad, but since my camera gear has gotten a lot heavier in recent years, I no longer bring them on backpacking trips.
Thanks and comments welcome,
Rudy

D80, 18-200mm @ 33mm

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on September 12, 2011 at 9:32 PM

Pretty. Nice light and like the layers in the comp all the way to the sky and clouds. My only thought might be to try an bring out a little more textures from the dark parts of the trees.

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

Comment posted by Ben Horne on September 12, 2011 at 10:36 PM

I love the way you kept this scene very natural looking. There is so much temptation these days to show every ounce of detail in the deepest shadows, but that results in a rather flat shot. The luminosity of the mountains, combined with the rich tones in the foreground are a stunning match for that great sky. The only thing I would consider is cloning out the small tree along the bottom edge on the left side. It's just a very minor nit, but it does draw my eye from the rest of the scene. Excellent work!

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on September 12, 2011 at 11:09 PM

Wonderful landscape! The larger version is a treat. Great light and detail throughout. I found myself immersed in the scene.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Hespenheide on September 13, 2011 at 2:07 AM

Rudy,

Very nicely done. I've moved away from California (unfortunately), but this brings back so many memories of the High Sierra, an unmatched set of mountains.

I might try adding some targeted contrast via curves (or similar) to the sky, and bringing up the midtones in the pines. As Ben points out, you don't want to overdo it, so keep the blacks there, but I think it might help move the eye in and out of the frame if the three areas of pines, rock, and sky are a little closer in tonal range. Does that make sense?

Registered on August 14, 2010, 3 Posts, 61 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on September 13, 2011 at 1:22 PM

Love the depth in this. Agree with Mark, sounds like a good plan to take this up another notch.

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

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on September 13, 2011 at 2:13 PM

I really like the shot and atmospherics Rudy. It reminds me of why I love the mountains so much. You did an awesome job with your comp and processing here.

Michael

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on September 13, 2011 at 11:52 PM

Great light and stormy sky. Wonderful rugged country there. I've wanted to see pioneer basin for a long time now. But also Dusy, and any other basin for that matter. How far of a hike is it to get into this area?

Chris

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

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on September 14, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Thanks for the comments and your input is appreciated.

Chris, Pioneer Basin is about 10 to 12 miles from the trail head. We got there on our second day. There's a lot of vertical hiking over Mono Pass, then dropping down into Mono Canyon, then about another 1,800 feet of climbing to get to the basin. If you do go to this area, be sure to check out Forth Recess Lake, which is one of the most spectacular lakes in the Sierra.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on September 14, 2011 at 1:52 PM

The large version is an absolute must see! Great detail and clarity as well as tonal range. Outstanding epic landscape image!

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