Posted by Marc Adamus on January 1, 2007 at 6:23 PM
This was taken from my first night's campsite once I reached the rim of Crater Lake last January. We all know it's not a once in a lifetime shot like my most famous image, "Crater Lake, Winter", so I'd like to hear what your thoughts are on it alone. I've been torn about the composition for a year now, not sure if I really like that tree at left. I don't know if I should keep this shot around or not. Thanks for any input. Most of my images from that trip really tell of just how difficult it is to find a great perspective from which to capture the lake.
Posted by Randy Hanna on January 1, 2007 at 6:35 PM
Marc: As always, nice work. The energy you put into getting to these special places is commendable. Nice clouds and colors. My only nit is the one tree that covers the right side of the island.
Randy
Posted by Tim Goodspeed on January 1, 2007 at 8:31 PM
Marc, I agree with Randy. I am not bothered so much by the tree on the left, so much as the one on the right covering the island.
Posted by Marc Adamus on January 1, 2007 at 8:44 PM
Good to know. My problem with the island, was that there was nothing separating it from the rim from this perspective. A few steps forward and I have another tree blocking it and a few steps back and I'm over the edge of the rim. Just a tough place to find the perfect composition.
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on January 2, 2007 at 1:50 AM
I love the light here. I like the tree at the left but agree with Tim and Randy that the tree blocking the island is the biggest concern I have with this compostion.... I can't wait to visit Crater Lake one of these days but not until I have full frame to work with My days with a 1.6x crop are coming to an end as soon as Canon shows the 5D mark II.
Great shot! I'm not bothered by the tree blocking the island as my eye is drawn up and to the left. The island is just a background feature. No big deal.. Definitely keep the shot.
Posted by Josh Couts on January 2, 2007 at 11:49 AM
I try not to compare this image to your "Crater Lake, Winter" image, but it's difficult not to, as it really sets the standard for me for images of Crater Lake.
I think the biggest difference between the two images is that this image, to me, doesn't really capture the grandeur of Crater Lake, like you were able to capture in your "Crater Lake, Winter" image. So many of us have gone to different vantage points around the lake, tried every lens and every angle, and haven't been able to capture that grandeur that our eyes are seeing and our bodies were feeling, that you successfully captured in your well known "Crater Lake, Winter" image. Whenever I examined my photos upon return, I always told myself "the lake looked so much further down from where we were standing, in person, than it does in these photos". I think your vantage point elevation had everything to do with my perception of grandeur in your "Crater Lake, Winter" photo, that I'm not feeling so much in this one.
The biggest thing I'm having trouble with on this image is figuring out exactly what the main subject is supposed to be in the image. Is it the lake? It is the snow? Is it the peaks framed by the trees? Is it the sky? With most of your outstanding work, there is no question as to what the main subject is. I would say that probably 99% of us when we think of Crater Lake cannot visualize it without Wizard Island clearly revealed, so that may be part of it.
To me, this image has more photojournalistic qualities to it than many of your other photographs that are of a fine art nature. I could see this image in a Oregon backcountry camping book or something of that sort, but I don't see it next to your best 15 images on a gallery wall, or in a calendar or things of that sort.
Posted by Marc Adamus on January 2, 2007 at 8:25 PM
"The biggest thing I'm having trouble with on this image is figuring out exactly what the main subject is supposed to be in the image."
I think that summarizes it pretty well for me too.
Posted by Harald Rust on January 2, 2007 at 9:38 PM
The main attraction in this image for me are the pastel-like blue hues. As mentioned, the tree blocking part of the island makes it a bit less perfect, perhaps, but still it's a beautiful scene.
Harald
Marc, I think you have a wonderful shot. I think both the snow laden trees and the arc of the rim make a great subject. As you have presented the shot, the sky seems to have the brightest tonal values and thus grabs more attention. I believe that brightening the snow with just a touch of contrast will cause the trees and rim to pop and the beautiful sky will become icing on the cake. Great shot and a definite keeper.
John
Posted by Sean Watson on January 4, 2007 at 7:25 AM
Marc,
I agree that some of your shots from this trip are stronger. But I like this one too. I don't think the tree in the left is a problem. And the tree in the middle covering up the island actually adds something to my book. I really like the texture in the snow and a subtle lighting in the lower middle.
The biggest problem I have with this is how dark the snow is relative to the rest the scene.
I certainly don't think you should cut this from your portfolio. But then again, you have an awful lot of great stuff.
Discussion
11 repliesRandy
I like the pic overall, but like said above, the island being blocked is a central point of interest for me. Still, I'd be proud to have taken it.
Hey John, why wait for the mark II? Once its announced, the "old" 5D goes on sale! jk
Kevin with a "regular" 5D
I think the biggest difference between the two images is that this image, to me, doesn't really capture the grandeur of Crater Lake, like you were able to capture in your "Crater Lake, Winter" image. So many of us have gone to different vantage points around the lake, tried every lens and every angle, and haven't been able to capture that grandeur that our eyes are seeing and our bodies were feeling, that you successfully captured in your well known "Crater Lake, Winter" image. Whenever I examined my photos upon return, I always told myself "the lake looked so much further down from where we were standing, in person, than it does in these photos". I think your vantage point elevation had everything to do with my perception of grandeur in your "Crater Lake, Winter" photo, that I'm not feeling so much in this one.
The biggest thing I'm having trouble with on this image is figuring out exactly what the main subject is supposed to be in the image. Is it the lake? It is the snow? Is it the peaks framed by the trees? Is it the sky? With most of your outstanding work, there is no question as to what the main subject is. I would say that probably 99% of us when we think of Crater Lake cannot visualize it without Wizard Island clearly revealed, so that may be part of it.
To me, this image has more photojournalistic qualities to it than many of your other photographs that are of a fine art nature. I could see this image in a Oregon backcountry camping book or something of that sort, but I don't see it next to your best 15 images on a gallery wall, or in a calendar or things of that sort.
I think that summarizes it pretty well for me too.
Harald
John
I agree that some of your shots from this trip are stronger. But I like this one too. I don't think the tree in the left is a problem. And the tree in the middle covering up the island actually adds something to my book. I really like the texture in the snow and a subtle lighting in the lower middle.
The biggest problem I have with this is how dark the snow is relative to the rest the scene.
I certainly don't think you should cut this from your portfolio. But then again, you have an awful lot of great stuff.
--Sean