Laying Down To Rest

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 12, 2012739 views20 comments

Thank you for your comments so far on the recent work I have shown. It all helps.

I started out my second day in the Valley at the extreme west end of El Capitan meadow. I wondered for quite some time and I did not make may photos and of those that I did make, I was not particularly happy with them. Something seemed 'off'.

This one however had great appeal to me as I have been trying to capture images of grass for some time. I am not sure I have achieved what I was after as to me something is still amiss. I am interested in what you all think of this one. The light was provided through reflection off of El Capitan under clear blue skies.

4x5, Nikkor 150mm, f64, 12 sec, Fuji Provia 100F, 81EF warming filter. My typical development in CS5.

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 12, 2012 at 8:18 PM

Youssef,

I struggle with making photos like this. You make it look easy.

Really? you trying to pull something over on me?

This is wonderful and you may guess that I love this.

Remember the night down by the Merced where we were all together watching the light go down on El Cap and you were photographing that stately oak? well, I wondered aimlessly that whole time looking for exactly this scenario and never could find anything that worked. So yes, these are difficult, but back at ya - you made this one look easy!!!

Nice rich color here. Not sure, but this could maybe be brightened a tad? Just to my eye though, this is quite wonderful as presented.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on December 12, 2012 at 9:22 PM

Really like the repetition and the warm colors here. Amazing how uniform this randomness is.

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

Comment posted by Nick Palmieri on December 12, 2012 at 9:45 PM

The colors are awesome. The layers are really cool

Registered on September 1, 2011, 35 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Cothran on December 12, 2012 at 10:00 PM

I like the random patterns of grass & leaves lying together. Nice warmth and contrast. I'm curious as to why you chose f64, as it seems like fore & aft tilts would have brought this fairly flat plane into focus with a larger aperture. Nonetheless, a very pleasing image.

Registered on December 5, 2012, 31 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Moore on December 12, 2012 at 10:30 PM

Beautiful intimate scene with crisp details and patterns. I like it!

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

Comment posted by Peter Cross on December 12, 2012 at 10:46 PM

The Everglades have been called a river of grass and that's what struck me about this image. The grass represents a flowing stream headed away with various riffle areas and leaves floating along with the water. Very nice image that is well conceived and a fine execution.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on December 12, 2012 at 10:58 PM

I don't see any thing wrong here either. I think Tony nailed it, uniformity in the randomness! Maybe that's it? I really like this! I could maybe see a tighter comp, but that would be just different, not necessarily better.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Raied Alani on December 12, 2012 at 11:08 PM

"The Paradox of Order"

Registered on December 3, 2012, 27 Posts, 90 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on December 12, 2012 at 11:29 PM

Another great contribution to the theme you and Lon have been developing here. Quite nice little view of a place in the Valley often relegated to stomping grounds. This is wonderful Youssef.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on December 13, 2012 at 6:50 AM

What a beautiful sight!

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on December 13, 2012 at 9:09 AM

A very understated and soothing image, Youssef. The flow of oak leaves and graceful grasses throughout the scene is beautifully done.

Ed

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 13, 2012 at 10:00 AM

I am really enjoying this, Youssef. That said, I think I would favor a crop from the bottom about 1/4 of the way from the bottom. That gives it a much more abstract look. to my eye. It makes for a much different look. As posted works well too. All of you guys came back from Yosemite with a treasure of excellent images. I have been thoroughly enjoying your work.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on December 13, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Very nice. The color, textures and scattering of leaves all work their magic. wonderful find.

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

Comment posted by Julian Barkway on December 13, 2012 at 1:00 PM

A simple idea but perfectly realised. And very well seen!

Registered on January 18, 2007, 344 Posts, 1961 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on December 13, 2012 at 1:14 PM

You captured this scene very well. Beautiful intimate scene. the colors are very appealingand i love all the details. A lot to explore in here.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on December 13, 2012 at 1:15 PM

The pattern of the fallen leaves on one hand and the texture of the grasses on the other hand work most interestingly together for me. All the elements lead me through the image in an appealing way, thereby always keeping my attention within the frame. Great subtle work in my opinion.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on December 13, 2012 at 1:25 PM

This is really nice Youssef. The variations of color within the grass really draws me in along with the wavey nature of the grass. The leaves are the icing on the cake.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on December 13, 2012 at 8:28 PM

This one is very nice indeed, Youssef. The detail and the overall capture as well as the processing comes across perfectly.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on December 14, 2012 at 4:04 AM

Beautiful Youssef, every thing about it.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on December 15, 2012 at 1:28 PM

Simple and sweet!

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments