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McGee Triangles
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McGee Triangles

by Lon Overacker

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 27, 20178,813 views7 comments
I chose to post this one right on the heals of Rudy's image simply because it's the same creek, McGee Creek in the Eastern Sierra.  Our images probably captured about 24 hours apart.  Biggest difference beside the obvious image subject, was Rudy's was from a "recent hike up..." and mine is a "drive and park" variety... angel

I spied this the day before, but arrived too late to capture as the sun had risen above the ridge tops.  Nothing unique or spectacular here - but I was drawn to the geometry and I liked how this shaped up with the aspens flowing up the rugged creek drainage, surrounded by the high desert chaparral of sage and boulders.

This was a first for me.  this is composed of 4 images.  2 images on the right for focus stacking, with 2 stacked images for the left combined for a pano stitch.  Oh the days when I could just stop down to f/45 and be done with it - crop, done. :-)

Would love your comments and suggestions. 

Lon

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Peter Richter on October 27, 2017 at 11:37 AM
Lon, what makes this image really appealing to me is the repetition of patterns in the foreground and background, yet with slight variations. Thereby you provide an interesting frame for the midground trees to my eye. The processing of colors is spot on in my opinion.

Only one minor suggestion: the one prominent green tree in the left half is leaning to the left a bit. If it was upright, it might introduce a kind of steadyness counteracting the strong diagonal. Just a personal thought of course.

Peter
Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on October 27, 2017 at 11:55 AM
The triangle of fall trees shows up very well here, Lon.  However, it's the contrast in textures between the foreground sage, the fall trees, and the distant rocky slopes that really makes this image a treat and those features only show well in the larger version.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on October 27, 2017 at 4:00 PM
I like the strong diagonals and alternating colors. I saw Peter's suggestion about a rotation. I can see where he is coming from, but it works great for me as presented. No suggestions here. Nice solid image. 
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on October 27, 2017 at 8:36 PM
I like the strong diagonal in the composition as well as the contrast between the glowing cottonwood trees (?) and the surrounding sage.  It's interesting to see the wider view compared to Rudy's image. 
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Lowe on October 28, 2017 at 12:30 PM
The thumbnail does not do this one justice, Lon. I really like the way you layered this scene with the diagonal; but what I find really attractive is the various subtle shades of color that come to the forefront in the large version. You did a fantastic job of processing this even if it is digital. cool

Ed
Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on October 28, 2017 at 3:34 PM
Thanks for the comments on this one, much appreciated.

Peter - I hadn't really noticed the leaning of the pine and you make a good suggestion.  I've rotated it in different version that I have of this scene and it looks a bit better.  Thanks.

Ed - Thanks for the comment on the processing.  I struggled with this one with several different versions. I had a hard time with the white balance and overall recollection of what the scene actually was and should be.  

Thanks again!
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on October 30, 2017 at 7:44 PM
This is a nice display of fall colors in the eastern Sierra, where the aspens are usually confined to the drainage courses.  What I also like here is the prominent granitic boulders on these moraines.  Even though McGee Creek consists mostly of metamorphic rock and the granite is located well up canyon, it's much more resistant to weathering.  
Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments