Jason's Jem

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 8, 2013535 views26 comments

Ok, it should be "gem" - just a little play on the alphabet. This goes out to Jason Blankenship (current or former NPN member?) He accompanied us our spring trip to Yosemite and I want to make sure he gets credit for this one. We had all stopped as we usually do at the most popular Valley View pullout. Avoiding the classic iconic view, but a great place for a walk up river to check out dogwood and river abstracts. In fact this image was captured shortly after my previous post. Anyway, Jason spotted this little scene and we both contemplated it for a few minutes... "you gonna shoot this?" "I dunno, what do you think?" Yeah, I think I will," "yeah, me too."

I'm sure we've all been there; either in a workshop or out with photo buddies and you're all presented with a wonderful scene. Of course you shoot it! thanks Jason!

I was quite amazed and happy that the grasses held relatively still for the 5s exposure and also that they didn't go to silhouette, which is what I thought might happen with the slide film. The reflection and color is from the far granite cliffs, Leaning Tower and the rock next to Bridal Veil falls in the distance.

Would love to hear your thoughts and critiques.

4x5, Nikkor 300mm, Provia 100F, f/45 @5s

Thanks!

Lon

Comments

26 comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on June 8, 2013 at 11:46 PM

I love the still peaceful mood of this!

It amazes me what others see.

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

Comment posted by Jared Warren on June 9, 2013 at 12:16 AM

great find. This feels so calming. I really love the color reflected in the smooth background.

Registered on May 11, 2012, 84 Posts, 931 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on June 9, 2013 at 12:59 AM

Beautiful image as always. The color and blur of the water create a great background for the grass. The detail is outstanding. This is very well seen and photographed.

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

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on June 9, 2013 at 3:47 AM

Love the elegance in this Lon.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on June 9, 2013 at 5:47 AM

I love the glow in the water. Great close up view. Great job on this one.

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

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on June 9, 2013 at 6:06 AM

wonderful Lon, everything is perfect here (light,contrast,colours) all together

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

Comment posted by Brad Strong on June 9, 2013 at 8:43 AM

Lon,

I really like this! I like soft water, but I need something in the shot that is sharp, so my eyes can focus. I love soft color wash of the water. The composition is very natural and balanced. The rocks and grass add enough texture and color so the soft background isn't too much. I also like how the water still has some distinct color patterns in it.

Brad

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on June 9, 2013 at 9:57 AM

Great narrative here, Lon. This is a wonderful find you and Jason both took time to setup and capture. Although the plant is the main subject the surrounding items really help support the overall interest to the entire scene. The most important addition is the backdrop and color of the water. Both the solid backdrop and the soft color and texture really helps to isolate the plant. Even the darker mud base in the corner of the image works to once again isolate the plant. All around excellent find and capture too.

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

Comment posted by John Clulow on June 9, 2013 at 10:07 AM

I find this to be gorgeous in both form and color and their contrasts.

One thing I'd suggest to you is to see how you like a horizontal flip. I tried it and find that for me it has a more natural feeling left-to-right flow. Of course, everything depends upon the message you are trying to convey, and you may have already made that decision.

Regardless, your image is extraordinarily beautiful in its simplicity.

Registered on November 1, 2012, 155 Posts, 1079 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Reed on June 9, 2013 at 10:35 AM

Love the soft colour and flow of the water in the background. The purple tinge in the foreground compliments the greens.

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on June 9, 2013 at 1:31 PM

Gorgeous, Lon. Even them thumbnail grabbed my eye. Top notch image. Amazingly sharp detail in the grasses against the flowing water, and the light and soft color is wonderful.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 9, 2013 at 3:13 PM

Lon, This is wonderful! Beautiful light and color with such a quiet and peaceful feel. I also like your composition very much. I really enjoy seeing this!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Mike Dawson on June 9, 2013 at 3:20 PM

Simple beauty, has a serene quality

Registered on February 4, 2006, 364 Posts, 8872 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 9, 2013 at 5:27 PM

I think Youssef said it all. Love the elegance here Lon. Works perfectly for me.

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

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on June 9, 2013 at 6:46 PM

Simple loveliness Lon !

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 10, 2013 at 12:03 AM

Absolutely stunning image, Lon. As several stated, pure elegance. Love everything about this. You certainly nailed the exposure given the potential for lost detail in the grasses. Exquisite.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on June 10, 2013 at 12:14 AM

I really like this. It's kind of the same stuff as we/you have shot before , but compositionally different at the same time. I first looked at it on my phone. That screen renders more saturation, and contrast than the computer screen. For mood, I might play around with some dodge/burn and see if that does anything. I love it the way it is, but maybe a little darker and brighter here and there might accentuate it even more.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Enrique Vizcarra on June 10, 2013 at 12:14 AM

Amazing,

Registered on September 10, 2009, 223 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on June 10, 2013 at 1:42 AM

The juxtaposed blurred and static elements work really well. Beautiful intimate.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 10, 2013 at 10:02 AM

Lovely Lon. I love it when the "ordinary" becomes the focus - just shows how beautiful the world actually is; we just have to open our eyes and see it instead of looking past it.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 10, 2013 at 1:29 PM

Thanks for the comments folks, I appreciate it!

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

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on June 10, 2013 at 1:31 PM

Beautiful Lon! The delicate grass stems look great against the blurred water - which has that nice golden/green color. Not much else to say. This goes down like a cool beer after a long distance run in the sun...

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on June 10, 2013 at 2:12 PM

Wow... Great capture. I love the colors and lines! The bottom right corner is perhaps a tad distracting, but there's probably not much you could do about that. I'm glad they held still for so long!

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on June 10, 2013 at 9:05 PM

Beautiful and packed full of serenity. wonderful image

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on June 12, 2013 at 3:45 PM

Hi Lon

This presentation should inspire all photographers to capture the simple beauty of nature that surrounds us . You captured the quintessential nature scene perfectly and beautifully

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on June 12, 2013 at 4:01 PM

Lon, I admire the interplay of the slightly curved grasses with the texture of the gently flowing water. Fantastic work in my opinion.

Peter

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