I'm trying to force myself to do more horizontal images as about 70% of the shots I take are vertical. Apart from the lack of clouds, what do you think of this image?
Here are links to a couple of other images/compositions. This first one was shot the night before at Lost Lake well after dark. The moon was full and strong enough to cast shadows so I was able to get this shot looking like daylight with stars above.
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 29, 2007 at 10:07 PM
They're all excellent in their own way, Erik. The one posted here could be lightened just a touch, esp. the foreground. But I really love them all. That last moon shot is very cool.
Rats, once again I processed this on my laptop and had the LCD at an angle which resulted in it being too dark.. I need to figure out a way to angle that LCD just right. I'll try to reprocess these and upload better versions. Sorry (I think I partially fixed the first one. I'll work on the others tomorrow.)
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on August 29, 2007 at 10:30 PM
Great photos. I especially like the comp in the one that ends in 30b. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by Gabi Lach on August 29, 2007 at 10:44 PM
Very nice, Eric! The reflexion is so clean... Very nice mood. I like them all.
Posted by Scott Bacon on August 29, 2007 at 11:28 PM
I'm partial to the vertical version of the image posted here - great detail and lead in. I also really like the first linked image shot by moonlight. It has a nice ethereal mood. Nice stuff!
11 mile walk? One-way, I take it. You're an animal.
Posted by Joshua Hardin on August 30, 2007 at 12:29 AM
I like the comp in the one you posted first the best. It works well horizontally. The Lost Lake moon shot is excellent too, something that is a nice change of pace. Let me guess that these were taken with the 5D?
Posted by Kalin Wilson on August 30, 2007 at 3:27 AM
11 miles? For a morning picture? I'm with Scott, you are an animal - or obsessed
I like the first two links, the ethereal feel with the stars and the vertical crop. I'm partial to verticals too, I like the way they focus on the subject, which you do well in that shot.
I like them all! But I think my favorite is the pre-dawn shot - not often that you see a day-time-like image with a star-filled sky - very cool.
11-miles...10 minutes of light... you are one committed photographer my friend.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on August 30, 2007 at 8:42 AM
Nice work all around Erik. I like the vertical comp of this image slightly better, but my favorite is the 0831.jpg with the stars. How are you liking that 5d?
Posted by Josh Anderson on August 30, 2007 at 10:15 AM
I really like the image from the 1st link. (the one shot at lost lake after dark)
Thanks everyone! I really wish I could learn to shoot horizontal shots in the mountains which have the same energy as vertical shots. Mountains really seem to require a vertical orientation but customers want horizontal shots they can hang over the fireplace. Any thoughts on how I can learn to do this better?
Yes, these were shot with a 5D. I sure love that camera!
Any thoughts on how I can learn to do this better?
Erik, try tilting your camera 90 degrees See you tomorrow!
Posted by Jesse Speer on August 30, 2007 at 12:07 PM
"Erik, try tilting your camera 90 degrees"
You and Jack need to have a hike-off. Have you ever reached your limit?!
Seriously, I love the basins above Lost Lake and you're captured them in great light. And I don't think there's anything wrong with shooting mostly vertical! They do tend to be more dynamic due to the tighter compositions of important elements - not too mention the greater impact of including a close foreground in such comps. Maybe try a longer focal length than you normally might, for your horizontal scenics.
Really like the points of light from the stars shot. Sort of surreal with such a light foreground. Have you seen what it would look like about 2 stops darker?
Posted by Mel Ladewig on August 30, 2007 at 1:57 PM
What'd that 11 mile walk take you? About 15 minutes? Shame for all that effort you didn't get some nice clouds, but be glad you don't have my track record this summer. If it were one of my photo specific outings, you'd be socked in before dawn and the sun wouldn't show until late morning, followed immediately by thunderstorms chasing you off the mountain in fear of your life.
You asked for compositional thought for horizontal. I think you need to get closer or use a longer focal length and change your position with relation to the foreground element (back up) to get a horizontal composition to work here with what you're shooting. You'd want the same tight composition as you're getting with the vertical comps, but have to isolate more of the scene. For example, in 0830b, you could place the reflection at the bottom of the image, cutting off everything below and get pretty close to a 2X3 composition.
I really love the Landscaped Version but the first Portrait version is stellar with all the stars! Very unique and I bet it will draw a lot of attention in the Gallery.
By the way, I have a Vertical hanging over my Fire place, but I guess Vaulted Ceilings help. As for getting similar effects with Horizontal Comps, Spread this Tripod legs out and laydown with your camera only inches from the ground and tilt. You might like the view from down there and the mountains tend to really grow in intensity as a contrast to everything else.
Posted by Laurent Baig on September 10, 2007 at 5:04 PM
Though I love shooting when there are clouds about, There's somehting just nice about seeing blue sky as well that makes for a nice picture esp when contrasted with the alpenglow. Nice work, Eric, esp. the one with stars. That one is stellar! no pun intended
Discussion
22 repliesI'm trying to force myself to do more horizontal images as about 70% of the shots I take are vertical. Apart from the lack of clouds, what do you think of this image?
Here are links to a couple of other images/compositions. This first one was shot the night before at Lost Lake well after dark. The moon was full and strong enough to cast shadows so I was able to get this shot looking like daylight with stars above.
http://morninglight.us/forum/07/0831.jpg
http://morninglight.us/forum/07/0830b.jpg
http://morninglight.us/forum/07/0830c.jpg
http://morninglight.us/forum/07/0830d.jpg
This last shot was taken pre-dawn as the moon was setting over Hagues and Rowe Peaks.
11 mile walk? One-way, I take it. You're an animal.
I like the first two links, the ethereal feel with the stars and the vertical crop. I'm partial to verticals too, I like the way they focus on the subject, which you do well in that shot.
Nice stuff as usual!
11-miles...10 minutes of light... you are one committed photographer my friend.
The others are nice as well though.
Yes, these were shot with a 5D. I sure love that camera!
Erik, try tilting your camera 90 degrees
You and Jack need to have a hike-off. Have you ever reached your limit?!
Seriously, I love the basins above Lost Lake and you're captured them in great light. And I don't think there's anything wrong with shooting mostly vertical! They do tend to be more dynamic due to the tighter compositions of important elements - not too mention the greater impact of including a close foreground in such comps. Maybe try a longer focal length than you normally might, for your horizontal scenics.
You asked for compositional thought for horizontal. I think you need to get closer or use a longer focal length and change your position with relation to the foreground element (back up) to get a horizontal composition to work here with what you're shooting. You'd want the same tight composition as you're getting with the vertical comps, but have to isolate more of the scene. For example, in 0830b, you could place the reflection at the bottom of the image, cutting off everything below and get pretty close to a 2X3 composition.
Isn't it always a long walk for a few minutes of light?
I agree I like the vertical better, but the horizontal is also fine.