Spring in Alabama Hills

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 27, 2014252 views11 comments

Poking around the archive once again...

I was never very happy with previous versions of this. The foreground in the original chrome was intentionally under-exposed so that I could retain detail in the clouds. That choice, of course, meant some gymnastics in post processing. I made ample use of TK's luminosity masks, as well as Selective Color adjustment layers.

I am pretty happy with the result of my efforts but would like to hear your thoughts.

Tachihara 4x5
Nikkor 90mm
Astia 100F
May 2008

Please see the large version. Thanks!

Your comments are always appreciated.

-P

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Ronald Murphy on August 27, 2014 at 3:31 PM

I've attempted photos of similar rock collections, and they usually look a jumbled mess. This has a fine coherency to it. Is that rear structure maybe a little too dark relative the foreground?

Registered on March 13, 2012, 279 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on August 27, 2014 at 8:55 PM

I'm in line with Ronald. Great job on pulling together the comp in such a jumble. I also agree the foreground is a little bright.

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on August 27, 2014 at 10:20 PM

You know, the foreground is a tad bright, but it somehow invites me to enter this jumble of rocks and explore it's intricacies. Sorta like some strange aisle that is marked" Enter at your own risk".

OK , maybe not that dramatic, but darn nice anyway.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 27, 2014 at 11:16 PM

This is dazzling, Preston. What a fascinating comp and excellent color and light. Was this in shadow when you exposed it? There is a softness to the light that makes me think it wasn't direct sun.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on August 28, 2014 at 1:07 AM

Cool! A part of me wishes for a bit of direct sun, but the subdued look works ok too. Interesting stuff...

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

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on August 28, 2014 at 5:43 AM

Another beauty Preston, love the soft light, natural color and detail. Your processing is as good as it gets, but what really draws me into the scene is the quiet peaceful mood. Beautiful work.
John

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 28, 2014 at 9:38 AM

Preston, I like this image a lot! Excellent work on the comp and I love the soft light. The shapes, colors and textures are all wonderful. Nice work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on August 28, 2014 at 10:44 AM

This is a very rugged view from that area, Preston. Lots to take in throughout the scene. This is one of those images that TK's tools really excel at in bring the best out. The small amount of foliage in this rugged terrain is the only hint of the spring season this image would reveal. It's hard to tell from season to season out there in the "hills" as we know.

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

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on August 28, 2014 at 11:33 AM

Preston,

The image looks a little unnatural to me. The light in the sky doesn't quite seem to match the light on the rocks, particularly the shadows seem to have more detail and softness than the sky suggests. That said, I sill like it. Almost like I'm looking at an image of both day and night.

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on August 28, 2014 at 2:25 PM

Thanks for your comments, everyone!

As I recall, the light on the rocks was pretty luminous. There was a cloud that came over at the time of exposure (I was waiting for it) otherwise the left side would have been in direct sun. There is also a larger rock face to the right.

Pat, this color is pretty natural. These lichens are quite saturated, and in fact I de-saturated the reds a bit. I might take another look at the tonal value of the sky, though. Thanks for your comment!

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Warren on August 29, 2014 at 3:34 PM

Very cool, Preston. Really nice texture and depth to this. The wildflowers and grasses interspersed in the rocks are a nice complement to the bulbous rock shapes.

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