Yosemite Autumn +RP

This has a wonderful mood to it, and the composition is right on. If I recall correctly, the first image you made here on 4x5 was made on a cloudy day, and I really liked what you did then. I do think the color in this version is superior. I like the combination of maple cedar and ponderosa pines.

I used to camp in this campground back in the 1970's. It was called Upper River, then. I am glad the NPS decided to allow this area, and the other campground that was across the road, to return to their natural state.

My images from this area this trip went into the digital dustbin. I am glad you got this exceptionally fine one!

--P

Real nice, Lon. I prefer the colors in this one. The older one is saturated and red. I think you could warm this one up a touch for my tastes, but then nobody ever said I had taste. Nice work. 

The colors seem more natural in the DSLR image.  The focus stack also gives a different level of sharpness which in my eye slightly alters the depth perception.  POV is a little different in the 4x5 image. Far BG is way sharper in newer image which may be reason for depth perception interpretation.  Nice job.

Good call on the color Harley.  I did feel it was a little cold - almost too digital? if that makes sense.  I tweaked this one and like it much better. I bumped up the saturation and red a tad, but also completely desaturated the blue.  Also added an 81 filter, but then masked out granite in the background.  One of problems while processing this image was keeping the color of the granite real to my eye.  In most cases, and even applying the 81, it made the granite too much towards red. So I painted the effects out.  Overall, I think much better now.

@David - excellent observation about the sharpness and detail throughout the depth of this image.  Now in this particular image, I think the detail front to back works.  However, I've already learned that just because focus stacking is a great and valuable technique, it doesn't mean it should be applied all the time.  There are lots of times where we want the bg to be soft, emphasizing whatever subject we have up front.  I found this so true in some aspen images I have from October.  A 5-image stack with detail throughout just didn't look good.  It wasn't until I let the background go soft that the image had a much more pleasing glow to it because all the leaves way in the back were soft and out of focus.  

Just like everything else, using the tools, techniques, etc. not just because they're neat stuff, but because it's the right thing for a particular image.  Good stuff.

Thanks for comments so far.  I hope the repost looks better.

Lon, I also prefer the softer, less saturated colors of the DSLR version, although the repost looks good as well. I like the cooler, gray bg. The textures in the trees become a prominent part of the image. Excellent. 

I definitely like the colors on this one more. This image has something of an "HDR" look on my monitor, though, especially on the bark of the pine trees, but also in the needles. Perhaps this is a side effect of the focus stack? It looks a bit unnatural to me, but it is all part of the creative process!!

The sharpness front to back really makes this image sing. Definately worth it in this case.  The re-post takes it up another notch. Love the ponderosas and the gentle yellows of the maples.  The 2012 image is quite red.  Beautiful work Lon.

Great to see you posting again, Lon.  I have missed your beautiful images and constructive comments.  Surprised to see that digital camera too! 

As always this is a great comp.  I saw the repost after scrolling down and agree that it has more life to it.  To my eye the original doesn't appear over-saturated, I think it's just a function of the different conditions as you noted.  I definitely admire your ability to see the order in these complex forest scenes. 

Both processed versions are excellent, you drawing a Blanc because you nailed it, it happens. Just to be a pain  I like the crisp bark on the three trees in the first version and the foliage in the second, so a combo is my preference.

Strange how we can't evaluate things on an absolute scale - the direct side by side comparison reveals the saturation in the 4x5" version. I actually might also prefer this new composition. The view is a bit wider, giving more context. I also like how the small pine on the left border frames the scene, balancing with the tall (frame-)pine on the right border. This and keeps my eye in the scene. The 4x5'' had a more "open" composition. I think this one is the stronger rendition.

Colors in the repo looks spot on! Photography (especially digital) is very much dependant on our mood, and especially the color varies because of that. Sometimes I look at older photos and say "what was I thinking there with those colors", but that's just the way it is. But I prefer the colors of the repo over the older photo. The more initimate composition of the older version is stronger in my eyes though, even if this one is very nice as well. But I like the older layered composition a bit more.

The repost is such an improvement. I like the way you presented the pines with the grain clearly defined. And the background yellow tree just sets everything off.
Jim

the updated version just rocks.

I like both and don't find the higher saturation to be a negative.  It's the strongly figured tree trunks - Ponderosa Pines? - that really capture my attention.

 Hi Lon    Agree with  Harley ,   in  the repost, warming up the colors  adds more  life to the image.   the correction makes an  excellent  presentation ..  amazing   to  see the change  of  color tones from velvia to digital.

Albert Darmo
Canada

Lon: I like your new version and the old. As an avowed color junkie I don't mind the original but I must admit there is great appeal to the more subdued color palette of the current image. Marvelous scene superbly crafted.>=))>

Damn nice clean shot, congrats.  

So glad to see you back on NPN!!!  You images look as good as ever; this one's a real beauty.  

I remember the original and maybe the original is a bit oversaturated, but, this version, the new one, jsut seems to lack depth that the original definitely had.