Posted by Jason Kim on August 26, 2007 at 11:39 PM
I wonder if any of you were out at Patriarch Grove or Mono Lake this weekend? I ran into a few photographers that were really helpful.
This was my first trip to the Bristlecone Pine Forest - spent Friday night up there. It was really hazy on Sat. morning and the sun didn't make it through the clouds, but the sunset on Friday was nice. I'd like to go back in winter - but I think that would require a rather long trek on skis or snowshoes?
Do you think the glare is too distracting in this image? Thanks.
Jason
Posted by Daniel Buck on August 27, 2007 at 12:35 AM
nice work keeping the detail of the tree's back side and the sky values!
Posted by Lon Overacker on August 27, 2007 at 3:31 AM
Jason,
That bristlecone is so well lit from behind, it's providing enough light that this looks like is was lit with a reflector. And that's not a bad thing, the exposure is excellent. And no, the glare isn't distracting at all; it's simply a part of the sunburst and I think you've done an excellent job.
What I'm really liking is the unique view and perspective of this bristlecone and the long shadows in the foreground. I don't think I've seen a view like this and it's quite refreshing. I think this is wonderful and well captured.
Jason, this is a very special look at this area for sure. This lone tree is extremely well captured here especially for the amount of detail on the backside of the tree with the amount of backlighting. Not sure this could have been photographed any better at all, a very nice capture IMO. I have been here during winter, skis or snowshoes are a must.
Posted by Jason Kim on August 27, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Thanks Lon, Paul. I'm glad to hear this worked - I was shooting another tree and just as the sun was about to dip below the ridge, I turned around and saw these long shadows. I was literally running as fast as I could to get set up!
Paul - did you park at the Schulman visitor center and then snowshoe the rest of the way up? Or is there a closer access point in winter? Thanks for the info!
This is a very nice and unique view of the bristlecone area. The tree is very nice and the long shadows work very, very well. The image definitely shows the remoteness and starkness of the place. Nice!
Jason, assuming the road up to the Shulman Grove is open, that would be the best place to ski/snowshoe out of. There is the Silver Canyon road that comes up from Bishop, but it would be impassable in winter (it is a 4x4 dirt road). I know Marc Adamus was up there last winter. Perhaps he'll weigh in with more info.
Jason, Preston is correct about the access. As far as I got was the visitors center years ago now, and snowshoed in only a mile or two. That area is very rugged going during the snow season. Marc is about the only one I'm aware of that made any recent hard weather trips in there. Good luck.
Posted by Greg Cope on August 29, 2007 at 12:07 AM
Sweet shot. Really love how you controlled the exposure, and what really draws my attention are the long foreground shadows with that nice warm light. Really creates a dramatic effect.
As a side note, I am dying to get up there in winter sometime. Unfortunately, despite my experience of winter soloing, the thought of that trip kinda gives me the chills. And I don't know anyone crazy enough to do it with me
Thanks Greg - I don't really have any experience where winter backpacking is concerned, so I was hoping to find someone that would be interested in going out there. If you're interested, let me know.
Jason
Posted by Nelcha Cross on August 30, 2007 at 2:31 AM
WOW, wonderful image Jason....
I think it gives the Ole' tree the drama that its age deserves!!
Great visualization and follow thru...
Thanks for sharing this Grand Tree and it's shadows,
which give perfect leading lines and the tree is in the sweet spot.
Just a moment perfectly captured for posterity!!
in gratitude,
Nelcha
Posted by Cory Freeman on August 31, 2007 at 5:18 PM
A very unique and successful image Jason!! I really like the glow around the tree and the bounce light on the surface facing the viewer. Have you tried this in b&w yet?
Discussion
13 repliesThis was my first trip to the Bristlecone Pine Forest - spent Friday night up there. It was really hazy on Sat. morning and the sun didn't make it through the clouds, but the sunset on Friday was nice. I'd like to go back in winter - but I think that would require a rather long trek on skis or snowshoes?
Do you think the glare is too distracting in this image? Thanks.
Jason
That bristlecone is so well lit from behind, it's providing enough light that this looks like is was lit with a reflector. And that's not a bad thing, the exposure is excellent. And no, the glare isn't distracting at all; it's simply a part of the sunburst and I think you've done an excellent job.
What I'm really liking is the unique view and perspective of this bristlecone and the long shadows in the foreground. I don't think I've seen a view like this and it's quite refreshing. I think this is wonderful and well captured.
Lon
Paul - did you park at the Schulman visitor center and then snowshoe the rest of the way up? Or is there a closer access point in winter? Thanks for the info!
Jason
This is a very nice and unique view of the bristlecone area. The tree is very nice and the long shadows work very, very well. The image definitely shows the remoteness and starkness of the place. Nice!
Jason, assuming the road up to the Shulman Grove is open, that would be the best place to ski/snowshoe out of. There is the Silver Canyon road that comes up from Bishop, but it would be impassable in winter (it is a 4x4 dirt road). I know Marc Adamus was up there last winter. Perhaps he'll weigh in with more info.
-PB
Jason
As a side note, I am dying to get up there in winter sometime. Unfortunately, despite my experience of winter soloing, the thought of that trip kinda gives me the chills. And I don't know anyone crazy enough to do it with me
Jason
I think it gives the Ole' tree the drama that its age deserves!!
Great visualization and follow thru...
Thanks for sharing this Grand Tree and it's shadows,
which give perfect leading lines and the tree is in the sweet spot.
Just a moment perfectly captured for posterity!!
in gratitude,
Nelcha
Regards.