Autumn's First Light

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted September 23, 20072,046 views12 comments

I spent a spectacular night at the AMC's Mispah Springs Hut last night, and took the op to sneak up to the summit of Mt. Pierce both at sunset and sunrise to take in the colors at treeline in the White Mountains.

This was taken facing north towards Mount Eisenhower on the Southern Presidential Range, with the Crawford Path in the foreground. The distant mountains were socked in, but I don't think it takes away from the scene.

The exposure was difficult, and I struggled with many different filter options to balance the light during the shoot. I'd like to hear thoughts on this...

Canon 20D w/ Sigma 18-200
0.4 Seconds @ F13
ISO 200
2 Stop Hard + 3 Stop Soft
Polarizer

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Ashutosh Rajekar on September 23, 2007 at 5:31 PM

Absolutely gorgeous shot Jim ... I have no nits whatsoever ... those reds are something!

Registered on June 8, 2006, 51 Posts, 910 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Nevesely on September 23, 2007 at 11:51 PM

I love the light on the ground and the beautiful colour. Not to mention the s curve of the path. Great stuff!

In regards to the exposure. I think you handled it nicely here. I'd maybe prefer being the sky darker (especially on the right hand side) but given the light is coming from that spot I'm not sure how that would be possible. It's still a great shot as is.

Registered on June 14, 2005, 147 Posts, 1550 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Rasmussen on September 24, 2007 at 12:28 AM

This is really a wonderful image... such and inviting foreground. I'd echo Tom's thoughts on the sky, but I don't know if there's anyway to process that for a darker, natural looking sky.

Registered on July 26, 2005, 121 Posts, 1884 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Staubus on September 24, 2007 at 12:38 AM

This might be your best shot yet. The side light is very dramatic, and the colors are fantastic.

Kent in SD

Registered on November 11, 2003, 121 Posts, 2098 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Whitney on September 24, 2007 at 7:46 AM

Jim...great image! Wonderful light and colors. like the comp with the path leading into the image.

Bill

Registered on May 31, 2006, 135 Posts, 1232 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on September 24, 2007 at 9:32 PM

Very nice.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on September 25, 2007 at 12:52 AM

Just found this -- another sample of great side light working its magic on the blueberry scrub. I think the path and the clouds over the distant peaks both add interest to this scene. Yeah, looks like a difficult exposure, but you handled it well!

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on October 1, 2007 at 1:47 PM

Glorious. I'd say your experimenting with filter combos worked perfectly. I love it. Way to work it, Jim. And congrats on the EP.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on October 1, 2007 at 4:40 PM

Jim: Congrats on the EP. The play and quality of light here is just superb. Really well seen and captured. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Christine Adams on October 2, 2007 at 10:14 PM

Hi Jim!! Congrats on your EP!! Good to see your work. Always look forward to see how you're doing!! Who-Whooooo!!!