Before Sunrise

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 24, 2012197 views8 comments

This was taken at Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Area. What a beautiful morning. The conditions were great, some clouds just up over the horizon, a little fog, great color. Also the haze from the fires this summer is clearing out and the great soft early morning light is coming back. Low 40s with almost no wind, just great weather. I was out well before sunrise, a moonless night and the sky was over flowing with stars. This is a combination of two images for exposure. Maybe you can tell that I enjoyed myself a lot. Thanks for all comments and critiques.

Canon 40D
Sigma 17-70
All settings on manual
Shutter 1 sec and 1.6 sec
Aperture f18
ISO 100
63mm
3 stop Grad filter
Tripod & shutter release
Processing in PSE9

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Brad Strong on October 24, 2012 at 5:05 PM

Richard, This is a nice scene. With your description, I can almost imagine being there. A little more detail in the foreground would be nice if possible, just enough to see some definition in the trees. It's a bit too much black for me. there is some grass at the bottom that should be cropped or cloned out. The exposure blend looks good. No halos or other artifacts I can see.

Registered on October 1, 2012, 43 Posts, 302 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Hilton on October 24, 2012 at 8:40 PM

Richard...
great sky capture...
maybe look at a pano...
but this is a winner either way.

Registered on September 19, 2011, 68 Posts, 668 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on October 24, 2012 at 9:03 PM

Beautiful atmosphere and scenery! I also recommend a pano. crop as the too dark foreground is a liability, IMO.

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on October 24, 2012 at 9:21 PM

The sky color and low fog lying among the layers of the landscape make this a beautiful sight. Great scene, but the blackness on the bottom is not helping it, so I agree it would be a very effective pano.

And yes, I can tell you enjoyed this, and I am enjoying reliving the morning with you. Thanks for sharing -- both the picture and the experience.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Gasior on October 24, 2012 at 9:46 PM

I like the Fog in the valley and sky, good atmosphere

Registered on March 7, 2010, 99 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on October 25, 2012 at 10:50 AM

Beautiful light in the sky and the touch of fog is wonderful way to pull my eyes through the sloping hillsides. Sure does look like a great morning to be there watching and listening. Fine job on the blending. Add me to those recommending a pano crop, but nuff said on that.

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on October 25, 2012 at 12:22 PM

Since the dark fg has been thoroughly covered, I'll concentrate on the beautiful layers of fog, hills, sky and clouds. They're a real treat to view. Nicely done

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Greenwood on October 26, 2012 at 12:32 AM

Yep ... pano ... definitely.

The dark foreground is a distraction to the rest of the appealing image. Maybe you could coax out some detail. But I still think that a pano with the foreground cropped out would work better. Also, are those contrails (2) at the top?

Registered on November 9, 2003, 229 Posts, 1523 Comments