Fading Glow

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 28, 2012636 views22 comments

Sunset on a calm evening over St. Mary's Lake. Most shots I see from this location show surf crashing and reflected on these foreground rocks, but this was a particularly calm evening. I didn't add any Orton effect here, the soft diffused light in the sky was a result of smoke in the air that was present for most of my trip. I'm not entirely sure about the crop here... I can see getting rid of some of the foreground, but making it a 4x5 would turn it into a 50/50 comp, and at the same time I didn't want to lose any sky. Comments appreciated.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on October 28, 2012 at 5:03 PM

I really like this. Honestly, I don't quite see the need for a crop, as I feel the leading lines in the rock direct my eyes farther into the scene. And again, I like context, which the fg rocks give. On the other hand, on the very bottom left (I'm really nit pickin' here, so feel free to plug your ears), I see a slight hint of sun flare, and the diagonal line of rock. Perhaps those are tad distracting, and so there may be a small reason to crop a tad off the bottom.

The ripples in the water really add a lot to this image, and compensates for the lack of detail (due to the haze) in the bg. BTW, the haze adds a lot too. Congrats in a stunning image---oh, and I like the sunstar. Mine turn out ugly!

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

Comment posted by John Mumaw on October 28, 2012 at 5:27 PM

This is a beautiful capture and I love what the haze achieved in this instance! I also see no need to crop any of the foreground.
Everything is balanced quite well. The reflected sunstar is a big plus, too. Great work, Chris!

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on October 28, 2012 at 5:36 PM

Excellent image. Beautiful sunstar, interesting fg and stunning light. Very nice.

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

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on October 28, 2012 at 6:43 PM

Think it works as is. Really pretty shot. Nice work. Never seen it calm :P

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Moore on October 28, 2012 at 7:15 PM

Thanks for the comments, it seems so far this crop is working. I'll take a look at the original file and see if I can work out any flare issue in the bottom left.

Registered on January 12, 2010, 84 Posts, 388 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 28, 2012 at 7:26 PM

This is very nice Chris. I like this comp and the conditions you caught are wonderful. The sunstar also works great here! Nice work.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on October 28, 2012 at 7:40 PM

Wow Chris! Incredible atmosphere here. The comp works great for me and I definitely would not want to see you crop any of the FG out.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on October 28, 2012 at 7:47 PM

Excellent, Chris. Beautiful with lots of drama. Certainly different than other images of St. Mary's Lake.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on October 28, 2012 at 8:02 PM

i like the depth of this image. The leading lines of the rock and the clouds really draw the eye right into the image. Nice sun star also.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on October 28, 2012 at 8:25 PM

Nice work -- never seen a calm shot of this place.

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Moore on October 28, 2012 at 8:33 PM

I don't recall ever seeing a calm shot here either. From what I hear its a windy place most of the time! I didn't include any tech data, but this was the first time I used the D800 (formerly a 5D2 shooter), and was able to capture this in a single exposure. My gut is this would have been a 2 exposure blend in the past, but who knows, the haze really helped keep the light soft. Thanks.

Registered on January 12, 2010, 84 Posts, 388 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on October 28, 2012 at 9:24 PM

A beautiful photo as posted Chris. The leading lines in the foreground, the sunstar, the mood and the depth is portrays is awsome!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on October 28, 2012 at 9:35 PM

Nice capture from this place !!

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on October 28, 2012 at 10:20 PM

Sweet shot! I wouldn't change a thing, Chris.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on October 29, 2012 at 12:23 AM

No nits from me Chris. That's just beautiful. I wouldn't crop it either.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Oleg Kuchorenko on October 29, 2012 at 5:55 AM

interesting capture !

Registered on July 2, 2012, 9 Posts, 111 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on October 29, 2012 at 10:48 AM

I like this for the way in which you chose to compose it. The color and lighting are wonderful
with a great reflection and good lead in lines. For me it has a spiritual quality.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on October 29, 2012 at 3:18 PM

I think the balance looks fine, I wouldn't crop anywhere. When I first looked at this I thought that was a boat our there in the lake and then realized that was Wild Goose Island. The sun star is such a great focal point, I couldn't see the image without it. Everything works very well here together. The yellow overall is a bit strong but I understand the smoke displacing other colors. Great job with this one Chris! Congrats.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Wiebe on October 29, 2012 at 4:53 PM

I like the FG as is. Great shot.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 102 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Shantikara Valuska on October 29, 2012 at 5:41 PM

Amazing shot! Beautiful colors, and atmosphere.