Snowphoria II/ With B&W

The waterfall in the background makes this work very well for me. Nice atmosphere!

Oh Chris, this is my favorite from your Yosemite snow series! Love the atmosphere and details especially in the large version. The subtle cool tone in the background work well with the warmer tones in the foreground.

That's some intense snow. The falls seems to almost play a minor role until I cover it with my finger and the scene falls apart in its complexity. I now can see why you like this one.

Wow! This is just wonderful, Chris. I love these winter scenes you do, and this one is excellent! Your large version is so nice to enjoy. I hope I can make it here one day, and after seeing your winter views that is when I would like to see it most I think.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Thanks Nick!

Anytime you'd like to come out, I'd love to get together and shoot Yosemite. It's kind of tricky with the elevation of the valley at 4000ft. You really have to watch the weather, and be spontaneous in reacting to it. It doesn't snow heavy often, and it doesn't last long. It's kind of the sweet spot in many ways, but it is challenging to get the conditions and the timing right if you cannot just be there indefinitley waiting for it.

Chris

Love it. At first I thought it was a B&W but then I noticed some color in the rock face. You timed this perfectly to get all the snow on the branches before the sun or wind got to it. Lots of nice detail throughout the image. Snowy conditions like this are usually pretty quiet so I imagine the falls was making quite a racket.

Man, this is nicely done, Chris. As Tony already mentioned, the falls really hold this winter scene together. I bet this would look great as a B&W also.

Ed

I like it (and the honesty too). Nice work

aF

The comp is awesome, but im not real crazy about the bluish gray color in the bg--i think id prefer this as a B&W.

This has some really great compostional elements and I think to highlight the shapes B&W would work really well.

Beautiful shot, I know the turnout you are shooting from and the challenges because of the ugly river bank. Nicely done!

Well, I actually kept this in color because of the colors visible on the granite wall. The gold patches mostly. Here's a b&w for comparison.

Thanks

A very peaceful winter scene - very well done. While the classic B&W look is terrific and brings me back to the Ansel stuff I first remember when I became interested in photography. I prefer the subtle colors of the original post. Like you say, the fleeting moments before the melt make it special when you can be there for them, frustrating when you can't!

Beautiful, Chris. I am definitely preferring the B&W. I was going to make the same comment as Stan about the blueish cast. Maybe lose the cast if you prefer the color?

Real nice work.

From last year, a portrait view. http://www.harleygoldman.com/photo/bridal-veil-snow/

I love the way the top of the waterfall is not shown -- it helps make the waterfall even larger. When you combine that with the soft atmospherics here as well as the blueish light in the background, it gives a very calm feeling. I definitely prefer this over the B&W version because the color version has so much more depth.

Beautiful, Chris. I like the colored version better (for the golden stone) but both are excellent. Looks like a high-end Christmas card. Very nice

Lovely winter scene, well composed!

Thanks Harley!

I definitely remembered your shot being one of my all time favorites of that scene from that viewpoint. I did not remember the comp being so similar, the only real difference being the orientation. But I imagine that is close to how most would see it from there.

I can't say I see a blue cast on my screen. If anything, it's very faint, and I thought it lended itself to the cold wintery feel. I'll take a look at it and see if I can neutralize it some. Not sure why a lot of my snowy scenes don't effect me as well as you'd think after conversion to B&W. This is one of those for me, anyway.

Chris

i really love the comp here and how the falls come from the heavens :) i think i prefer the B&W as the shapes of especially the pine trees contrast more with the snow.

Well, you guys were right, again!!!!! I have the hardest time with color. When I make a correction on a different layer, then switch the layer on and off, I can see it. But just looking at an image many times I can't see the subtle nuances you guys point out to me. So thanks, I appreciate it! Here's a neutralized version, what do you think now?

Chris

Chris,

This is outstanding! One of the best images from this oh-so-popular pullout in the Valley. The conditions were ripe for this comp and you pulled off a classic and a beauty.

I love the color version and you reworked image looks great. The color cast in the original was more towards green/cyan to me and even slightly noticeable in the bottom snow. But we're talking tweaking here. What a wonderful winter image from Yosemite.

Lon

Can't go wrong with color or b&w. They're both gorgeous. I'm probably I'm in the minority here but I almost prefer the first color version, as I think it gives it more mood and emphasizes the cold. However, the cast is perhaps a tad too strong in the 1st, so maybe reduce the green but keep a touch of blue/cyan?

I really like the transition from white snow covered trees to the blueish mountains and waterfall in the background. Lovely shot with great atmospheric presence. I much prefer the color versions and think that the "corrected" version is a subtle improvement.

Chris, If I can make it out there I will certainly give you a heads up. I wouldn't even know where to start. I also understand it could be real hit or miss to get conditions like in this beautiful shot. Thanks, Nick
edit: I forgot to mention that I like the last color version best. Looks just right to me, but I thought the first one was just right until I could see the difference. Beautiful!...all of them.

I'm torn between the B&W and the reposted color, but I think I prefer the B&W because it is a more classic feel, if that makes any sense. Either way thogh you can't go wrong, Chris.

Ed

Beautiful shot
I prefer color version.

You are doing a fine job with what little bit of winter you got there this year, Chris. Beautiful image.

Both versions are nice Chris, I do tend to prefer the b&w though. Wonderful composition.

Excellent, Chris! I agree with all previously made compliments. I can't
make a decision between color or B&W. They're both outstanding.

Wow, the B&W all the way for me. I wouldn't have suspected it based on the original (which I liked very much), but the B&W really distills this scene to its key elements and makes them sing.

I still prefer the original color version. The blue tones look completely natural to me. It helps give the image depth, and separate the foreground from the background. When the blue tone is diminished, this images loses some of that wonderful atmospheric feel.

Nice winter mood in this scene, I liked the details in trees (in the larger version). Arrangement of the tree tops composing very well with the waterfall.

First: Moody artistic it looks and feels cold. Second: A classic Third: Eye stunning reality; with gorgeous detail. No wonder you can't get a consensus. More stormy winter like weather this weekend. Goooo! if you can.

Paul

One of your best IMO, Chris. Wonderful winter scene from YNP valley.

Beautiful Chris. You nailed the exposure perfectly on this - bright & crisp! An absolutely gorgeous scene.

Wonderful indeed. Like out of a fairy tale. The misty background and the waterfall create a very nice atmosphere!

Fantastic! Both versions work well for me, but I prefer the b/w. Great stuff as always, Chris.

Wow this is really sweet! I like the B&W version best

Definitely the B&W! The color repost is an improvement.

Hey Stan, thanks! I have to agree that b&w is hard to pass on especially for these type of situations. Not sure why, but the color just works better for me on this one. Finding a consensus isn't going to happen here I, don't think.

I sure appreciate all the feedback on this one, from everybody.

Chris

I really like that the falls take a back seat to this snowy wonderland. Love the hint of color coming through.

Not sure how I missed this one before. It's definitely one of your best, maybe my favorite. I love this turn-out spot but have had trouble with it, and I think you really nailed it. It's just about the perfect non-icon YV shot in a lot of ways. The 2nd repost is great.

Thanks Mat, I'm glad you like it. It's one of my favorites too. I agree, this is a great spot, but has been difficult. I've shot it before numerous times, but never really came away with anything I liked until this. There are not really many other option imo, so not sure why it took many attempt. But the weather, and conditions on this particular day were the best I have experienced with this scene to date.

Chris