New Day

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 18, 2013622 views23 comments

Some big changes at work have kept me from getting out with the camera since late last year. I was finally able to get away for a few days this week, so Jep (my dog) and I headed for the Columbia Hills here in southern Washington.

The flowers are early, but in some spots doing well. I'm not convinced the balsamroot will do stellar this year (I'm always comparing to 2009); the lupine looks as if it may do better. Since there weren't huge carpets yet, I focused on close-ups. This was my favorite of the bunch.

Nikon D80
Nikon 12.0-24.0 mm f/4.0 at 12 mm
One photo at 1/20 sec. for dynamic range (the sky), and five at ¼ sec, for depth of field
f/16 and ISO 100

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on April 19, 2013 at 3:18 AM

You are a master composer. Shapes in the bg and fg are fantastic! I like the almost eerie mood you have provided, but i think that subtle, narrow mid-tone might be worth trying

Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on April 19, 2013 at 4:53 AM

John, the contrast between the still bare tree and the vibrant spring colors is amazing for me. I also appreciate the subtle lighting a lot. Your image conveys the energy of awakening nature impressively to me.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on April 19, 2013 at 9:46 AM

Your images always have a crispness to them and this is no exception, John. Fantastic job of filling up the frame from the FG to the BG and the subdued even light is perfect. Beautifully done IMO.

Ed

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

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on April 19, 2013 at 11:00 AM

It's nice to see that you made it out to the Columbia Hills John! I've always enjoyed your images from the Hills. I really like the composition here with the foreground filling balsamroot. The colors look perfect and the touch of sunrise light makes this one even better. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 19, 2013 at 11:16 AM

Looks like a wonderful morning to be out. I like the focus on the Balsamroot in the foreground and the contrast between their lush growth and the leafless tree. The gentle colors in the sky are a great addition. Wonderfully subtle and well seen.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 19, 2013 at 3:05 PM

Great light, comp, detail and colours - love it!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on April 19, 2013 at 3:13 PM

Nice .... the flowers really make this...the light captures on the petals are superb. In fact... it make the b/g sag a bit... I also like the foliage...with lighter edges on the green...giving a sense of texture and crispness. Ken

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

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on April 19, 2013 at 4:10 PM

Wow, this is super early for balsamroot, caught me by suprise!. Nicely composed shot, sweet light.

Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on April 19, 2013 at 4:51 PM

I hear ya about schedules and shooting. It's been way way crazy for me on many levels. Great shot here, I like your close up detail and great light.

Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on April 19, 2013 at 5:57 PM

one word (super)

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

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on April 19, 2013 at 7:22 PM

Great to see new work from you, John. This is very nice - I like your choice to fill the foreground with the flowers. The color in the sky is tops it all off. Your processing is very good as well.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Neale Dyster on April 19, 2013 at 7:48 PM

spectacular image! wonderful comp

Registered on February 19, 2008, 94 Posts, 738 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on April 19, 2013 at 8:29 PM

Excellent. Love how bold the foreground is.

I'd like maybe a hair more saturation in the sky (on Safari and calibrated)

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on April 19, 2013 at 9:00 PM

Sweet! Very cool combo, John. The tree is a tad oversharpened--just use a mask and take care of that and this will be perfect IMO.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on April 20, 2013 at 2:22 AM

Beautiful composition of some lovely flowers, John. Great work filling the frame with those big yellow blooms!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on April 20, 2013 at 9:23 AM

Incredible image John. The contrast between the front flowers and the backround is just great. And the flowers light and detail is wonderful. Great.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on April 20, 2013 at 3:22 PM

Another bright eye opener, congrats John!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on April 21, 2013 at 10:33 AM

Gorgeous work John, love the FG flowers. Pretty scene Indeed.
John

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

Comment posted by John Mumaw on April 21, 2013 at 7:30 PM

A very elegant scene captured and 'developed' perfectly. I like this one a lot!

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on April 21, 2013 at 8:07 PM

Spectacular comp John. Those flowers are beautiful and really steal the show but the overall scene is magnificent.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Cory O'Neill on April 21, 2013 at 10:51 PM

Perfect comp and processing. Great work, John!

Registered on October 4, 2008, 28 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on April 22, 2013 at 11:49 AM

Gorgeous John. Lovely composition and very pretty capture.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on April 22, 2013 at 12:25 PM

Superb work from concept to capture to presentation, John!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments