Medicine Bow NF 2

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 18, 2012164 views9 comments

This was taken midday up in Medicine Bow National Forest (Wyoming). It was August, and the wildflowers were in full bloom---incredible bloom. TONS of columbines and indian paintbrush were found along the trails. When I took this, I didn't have time to set up my tripod (plus, it was just broken by a fall earlier that day...), so I had to settle with a handheld image.

Anyhow, I'm fairly glad how it turned out, although I feel the highlights in the clouds are a bit much, and the blue sky is a bit grainy---something I may try to fix soon...

Canon 60d 10-22mm @ 14mm
ISO 320 --- f/8 --- 1/400 --- single exposure

Tell me what you think!

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on April 18, 2012 at 10:56 PM

I really like the comp. It is straight forward, but reminds me of Ansel Adams. The tones in the mountain look flat though, especially the highlights in the middle of the image. I think more selective adjustments are necessary to make this image shine.

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

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on April 19, 2012 at 1:33 AM

Looks good

Now lets go climb it!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on April 19, 2012 at 8:04 AM

Nathan, your static composition is consistent with that majestic scene to my eye. I appreciate the b&w conversion, especially the tonal range and the details of the rock face.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on April 19, 2012 at 3:23 PM

Thanks for the comments, everyone.
Michael---the tonal problem may be due to the fact that a cloud was blocking the sun from hitting the rocks face directly, and also, the snow wasn't all that bright (a bit of dirt on the top layer,etc.). I think I see what you are talking about, and appreciate your input!
Peter---I havn't done much B+W conversions, so its good to hear this is half-way decent! I still need to work on the noise that appears in the sky during the process, however...

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on April 19, 2012 at 4:10 PM

Real nice, Nathan. Very classic, inspiring view. Sometimes a handheld image is just fine, and shooting with a wide angle lens at 1/400 second is one of those times. I notice you bumped up the ISO and perhaps that's the reason for some of the grain in the blue sky, but the blue channel is always finicky when you start playing around with contrasts in a B&W image. I find that sort of thing isn't as noticeable in print anyway.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on April 20, 2012 at 9:33 AM

Nice black and white, Nathan. The comp is nice and I don't find the highlights in the clouds to be a distraction at all.

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

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on April 20, 2012 at 12:29 PM

Phil---It's funny you mentioned that about printing. I recently got this printed, and was surprised to the the grain less apparent. Also, it never occurred to me about the ISO being too high. With a wide angle lens, I suppose it isn't as much of an issue to keep it on the lower end... Thanks!

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on April 21, 2012 at 8:42 PM

Very nice layering and framing with the foreground trees. Could maybe see working for some darker blacks for a more solid foundation, but the comp alone keeps me interested.

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

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on April 22, 2012 at 4:47 PM

Thanks, Tony. It's great to hear your thoughts... I was surprised to come across this scene. It's not every day that you see some good symmetry outdoors, or in trees!

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments