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Dawn in the High Country
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Dawn in the High Country

by Rudy Ruberti

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 22, 20171,310 views10 comments
Thank you for the comments on my previous post.  This is from the same backpacking trip in the eastern Sierra last summer.  We scouted this area out in the afternoon, then I hiked down here the following morning for sunrise.  It was a typical Sierra sunrise without a cloud in the sky.  I'm not too sure about the tree on the left.  Is it a distraction or does it help balance the scene?
Thanks,
D700, 24-70mm

Comments

10 comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on March 23, 2017 at 9:32 AM
A very natural image in many ways. The tree doesn't really draw me to it. Since you've chosen to represent the scene as is I would have not have boosted the greens and yellows in the foliage. To me there is a contradiction between the saturated greens and the pale sky. I would prefer a consistency there. It is a beautiful Sierra scene, a scene reminiscent of my backpacking days in my youth.
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by Craig Moreau on March 23, 2017 at 10:21 AM
Wow, Rudy! I love the Sierra, and this is a great capture of the range! I love the sharpness of the image, it really puts me there. I don't mind the tree. It does pull my eye there a bit because of the contrast against the sky, but I don't find it too distracting.
Registered on April 21, 2015, 64 Posts, 584 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on March 23, 2017 at 11:13 AM
Rudy,

What a terrific alpine scenic, love this!  Hard to find anything to critique here, but I would agree with Igor in that the green/yellow in the vegetation is a little strong relative to the subdued colors of the landscape.  The tree on the left doesn't bother me either; it does pull the eye over there, but it doesn't linger and quickly am pulled back in to the scene to explore.

If I had a wish.. the only thing that could have been an improvement here, would be a subtle, lovely layer of the pink of the earth's shadow.  Guess a guy can wish.  But the pale sky as captured is natural and fits the scene well.  Great image!

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Smith on March 23, 2017 at 3:56 PM
I am drawn to this scene having many sweet memories backpacking in the Sierra's with my Dad, back in the 1960's.  The flow of water adds a lot and you've balanced it nicely with the peaks to the right.  Strange as this will seem...I'd be tempted to clone more sky above and try to show the transition to darker and darker that is hinted in what you've included with this sky.  Well done!
Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on March 23, 2017 at 10:27 PM
A classic Sierra high country scene. You have captured the look and feel quite well. It really makes me wish my back would tolerate backpacking like the old days. Oh well, living it through your image. 
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Genny K. on March 24, 2017 at 9:17 PM
A really pretty image of a wonderfully calming place.  I like the comp, and after looking at the larger version, the tree doesn't bother me.  But, the left edge of that waterfall is pretty close to the edge of the image, and the tree is even closer, so to me it looks a little cramped on that side.
You did a good job of capturing the feeling of dawn without having bright colors.
Nicely done.
Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on March 25, 2017 at 3:55 PM
This works for me. The light is wonderful. My only suggestions a re to reduce the yell and green saturation in the vegetation, and perhaps attempt to pull a little more detail from the shadows of the foreground boulders. The tree does not bother me. A classic Sierra morning!
--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on March 26, 2017 at 8:09 AM
Another beauty from the backcountry, Rudy. devil
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on March 26, 2017 at 3:58 PM
Beautiful, Rudy. You caught some nice flows over Moonlight Falls. Processing looks good to me and the greens don't bother me. I might add a touch more saturation to the sky but that's subject to personal interpretation. Can't wait to get up here after the epic snow pack starts receding.
Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments
Comment posted by John Williams on March 29, 2017 at 11:18 PM
I too pine for just a little more in the sky. Maybe earlier with just a hint of stars still in the sky??  This is wonderful otherwise, and the tree doesn't bug me at all.
Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments