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Snow Along Merced River
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Snow Along Merced River

by Harley Goldman

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 11, 2017298 views18 comments
I made this image on my Yosemite trip in January. A nice overnight storm dumped about 12 inches of new (wet) snow. It got warm pretty fast and as I was making this, snow was starting to fall off trees, so I had to work quick. And be careful under trees to avoid a neck full of snow down the back of my jacket. Within about 20 minutes of this, all the trees were pretty much bare of snow. 

D810, Tamron 24-70

Comments

18 comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 11, 2017 at 10:10 AM
Harley, you are really killing it lately.  This is another one that just makes me want to get in my car and start driving north.  I really like the fine detail and the variety in the shades of gray.  devil
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on February 11, 2017 at 12:45 PM
For me, Harley, this is the best of the snow images you have posted recently. It captures that sense of quiet stillness that's present after a storm in the valley. What really makes is that tree on the left. As a photographer I think that the bg needs a bit more information because it's almost negative space but as a viewer I really like that bright diffused light coming in from the distance. There's a sense of optimism here, like a clearing after a storm. Perhaps that's why I prefer this to the previous one that was more oppressive in nature. It's an image where you let out a sigh of contentment.
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on February 11, 2017 at 12:53 PM
I really love the mood here, Mr. H.. The misty background has just enough detail to hold my eye in the frame. The gentle curve of the left shore leads me into the scene and the nice reflections in the river. Works for me!
--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by gary phillips on February 11, 2017 at 5:20 PM
Really beautiful, Harley.  Hard to beat the ice foreground image, but this comes awfully close.  Has that quiet beauty that is had to describe and even harder to pull off.  Excellent my friend.
Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 11, 2017 at 6:01 PM
Harley, What a beautiful winter scene this is. The conditions you caught here are absolutely wonderful. Excellent comp and b&w processing. I'm really enjoying this!!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Smith on February 11, 2017 at 11:15 PM
This certainly ranks high as one of the most breath-taking winter photos I've seen of Yosemite.  What a splendid moment with the fog and snow...so thoroughly cloaking all the branches...a rare sight.

Excellent!
Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on February 11, 2017 at 11:41 PM
This was definitely a productive trip for you.  Of the images that you have posted to date this is probably my least favorite.  That is not so much a critique of this image as much as it is a compliment to the quality of the other images in this series.  On its own merit this image definitely has great mood.  The mostly high key presentation works well too.  
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on February 12, 2017 at 8:34 AM
Hi Harley,

Good timing for this shot.  You have been clobbering the landscape gallery with some awesome shots.  This one is no exception.  I like the subtle details in the BG and the image has a nice range of tones to make this one special. Great job done on this onedevil..................................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on February 12, 2017 at 9:40 AM
Another outstanding image from this snow event, Harley. Magical. devil
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on February 12, 2017 at 9:53 AM
Harley, along with your Ice Patterns image, this is really fine to me.  I like the pale detail of the far wall and faded trees along the river that the fog produces.  Suggestions would be to clone out the dark stump on the left edge,  and possibly adding some up top if you have it so the trees on the right are not de-tipped although doing so may add too much empty space and unbalance the grays below.
Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments
Comment posted by Tom Falley on February 12, 2017 at 1:10 PM
Harley!

Lovely image, seeing well, almost by instinct when having to work quickly. Wonderful when that comes together, seeing in "the zone". 

Cheers:   Tom
Registered on November 21, 2014, 189 Posts, 454 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 12, 2017 at 2:39 PM
Harley: I had hoped to come to Yosemite this month but we scheduled a trip to Alaska this summer that will eat all my vacation time for 2017. However images like this and your prior one are putting Yosemite in winter high on the list for 2018. Beautiful scene superbly captured and rendered. >=))>
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 12, 2017 at 3:47 PM
Harley,

Classic, Merced River and Yosemite winter wonderland scenic.  This view has everything in lovely balance and thankfully the light fog in the bg isn't so thick that the cliff walls are obstructed.... just the right amount of detail to complete the scene.

Hard to be critical here, no nits or suggestions.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on February 13, 2017 at 7:27 AM
Classic scene.  Great job.

aF
Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments
Comment posted by Ryan Shain on February 13, 2017 at 8:06 PM
Hi Harley,

This image is simply spectacular for myself, and the large version is a must open to truly appreciate this amazing moment in time. I feel this image brings about a quiet, tranquil, and majestic feeling of the wonderful Yosemitee.

Truly special work Harley
Registered on February 20, 2007, 226 Posts, 4571 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Richter on February 15, 2017 at 2:03 PM
An exceptional image for me, Harley. The wonderful details in the foreground and the pleasing calm reflection invite me to follow into the depth, and there is just the right amount of details in the rock face to keep my attention. Your b&w processing is spot on to my eye.

Peter
Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 15, 2017 at 4:26 PM
Wow, another case of extreme beauty.  Your B&W's of this area are so dramatic Harley.  Another masterfully crafted scene.  Somehow, I've got to get out there one day before my dirt nap occurs.  Will especially have to join you, Preston, and Lon (and, of course, Maggie) for one of your adventures!
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on February 24, 2017 at 4:25 PM
Absolutely stunning!
Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments