Coastal Range Twilight

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted February 9, 2013273 views15 comments

I've long been interested in exploring the East side of the Northern California Coastal Range. Satellite images show long, narrow valleys with a predominance of oak. There are very few roads which cross over, and those that do don't offer much in the way of paved/dirt road opportunities to explore the valleys in a north-south direction. I did a lot of map planning and was disappointed last night to find that most of the traversing dirt roads are gated and belong to large ranchs. This photo is a vista from one of the available roads, a narrow dirt and heavily pocked single lane track. I'm doing further research; the native flower show in the spring could be beautiful.
Taken shortly before late dusk.
Equipment and processing: Nikon D3X, Nikon 14-24, no filters, 3 exposures processed in LR4 and CS6.
I feel like this rendition borders on being too saturated. Your thoughts about that and anything else would be appreciated.
Please see the larger version.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 9, 2013 at 10:24 PM

Really, really like the comp. Almost a fairytale look. Colors seem a bit unreal, but sort of continue the fairytale look. Very interesting place indeed.

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

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on February 9, 2013 at 10:49 PM

I agree with the fairytale or sci fi look...........very surreal. cool to have seen and captured this

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Cothran on February 9, 2013 at 10:52 PM

A beautiful area I've never seen before. I love what you've done to the ground area. The horizon colors seem surreal to me, and somewhat contrived. But the rest of the image is pure eye candy.

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

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on February 9, 2013 at 11:22 PM

great view with a great composition, i like it

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Beth Huebner on February 9, 2013 at 11:28 PM

I love the amazing colors in this image. I agree that it has a surreal feeling to it, like Brigadoon that appeared only once every 100 years (I think I have that right). I think the larger image really shows the beauty of the area much more than the smaller image. I like the way the hill in the foreground counterbalances the sky. I wonder how it would look if the saturation level was tweaked a little. Beautiful work.

Registered on January 28, 2013, 19 Posts, 56 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on February 10, 2013 at 1:04 AM

I agree that this seems over saturated, and also it seems like the landscape is lacking in contrast.
I think the capture is a winner and this pic would really shine if processed in a different way.
For coastal mountains with both East West views I would check out Los Padres National Forest, both in So Cal and near Big Sur.
This photo might get moved to Man and Nature due to the roads.

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Randall Smith on February 10, 2013 at 9:52 AM

Thanks for the comments. I've done a copy with reduced saturation. I hope this addresses some of the expressed perspectives. Tony - I have been using your luminosity masks; they are a fantastic tool for blending. Thanks.

Registered on June 13, 2009, 30 Posts, 69 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on February 10, 2013 at 10:15 AM

The repost is better in my opinion, but I prefer what seems like the brighter landscape of your first post.

In Photoshop I would do levels or curves adjustments to wake up the landscape, but my first choice, if you were shooting in RAW, would be to make similar adjustments in the awesome RAW processor in CS6.

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 10, 2013 at 1:08 PM

The larger version is a must see. It shows off all the wonderful details and the spectacular greens in the foreground, which really sets the stage for the twilight glow in the sky. I too think that the colors are a bit too saturated, but some of that is Adobe and how their software adds saturation to the darker tones. I'd say that the repost goes too far...somewhere in the middle.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 10, 2013 at 1:57 PM

Randall,

A grand view and a wonderful representation of the Northern CA coastal range. Makes me want to get out there now! I really like the oak lined hills and the long valley.

Color wise, I would agree it's a bit saturated; especially along the horizon as already noted. But also the valley and hills seem just a little over processed - dare I say HDR look? But honestly, it's not too far off. I do with the original was larger, but thanks for the larger view, much easier to review!

I am going to move this to the Man & Nature gallery after posting my comment. Quite a number of roads present. Hope this makes sense. Feel free to let one of the mods know if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Lon

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

Comment posted by Ken Smith on February 10, 2013 at 5:26 PM

This has a lot to love in a photo...the sculptured hills, shadows in ravines, emerald greens (original version), and a journey for the eye that leads one to the horizon. I like colors and tones of the original hills..but, not the bottom ptn of sky as it is a bit too far saturated. The repost seems to reduce saturation overall and loses some of the magic. It is utterly PERSONAL preference what you like...there is no right or wrong. THat said, for me...a little less color in the orange/pink bands of sky of the original ...then leave the rest alone... and print big... Stunning and attractive photo!!

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on February 10, 2013 at 8:38 PM

A lovely view, especially the larger image. While it may be a bit HDRish, I can suspend my belief in the more natural post and really enjoy the larger image.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Randall Smith on February 11, 2013 at 12:23 PM

Ken - Thanks for your input. I did a revision in which I only toned down the saturation in the orange/pink glow above the horizon. It's located here: http://www.pbase.com/rbsmithphd/image/148720721

Registered on June 13, 2009, 30 Posts, 69 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on February 11, 2013 at 12:38 PM

Hi Randall, I looked at your link to the most recent revision... bull's eye! That version retains the magic colors in the hills and softens the sky to a more pleasing level....in my opinion!

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on February 14, 2013 at 10:41 AM

I really enjoyed the original post. Maybe the color band a little too saturated, but much preferred over the second post where everything looks a bit drab. I would selectively desat the band and sky a tad, or maybe just the reds, yellows, magentas. I can imagine an early AM shot from here with the sunlight skimming across the hill tops - sort of Palouse-like.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments