Candyland

Ok, first off, it got the title because I've probably had too much Christmas candy in my life of late and the various colors of the hills looked like all the artificially colored neon junk they put on the wrappers and candies.
I shared one a few days ago from this trip but as it turned out I think I prefer this version. This of course, is Oregon's Painted Hills after a new snowfall. I waited for the light to be just right (filtering in and out of the clouds) and used a pretty long lens to compress the view of the layers.

Thanks for commenting.

5D, 70-200 at 130mm, no filters, 1/80 second at f9.

I don't know, marc, I'd second guess eating the christmas candy continuously if you want to retain your feat of getting out 364 days a year, or whatever absurdly large number it is. I may be willing to sacrifice a few seconds of my pace for some chocolate, however.

The image fashions layers and colors appropriately. Such a great area to observe depth, I must imagine. If I were to nit at all, I'd say the small portion of the hill in the LRC is a bit distracting.

Hey there Marc. The diagonals are great here and I don't mind the hill in the LRC. I would prefer to see this with just bit cropped off the top as I do not feel that far distant background is needed here!

As always, great light and exposure!

Alternate crop

Trevor, yeah. I haven't actually been eating the candy. I hate candy of almost all kinds. It's just been 'in my life', around me, ya know. It's that time of year. Annie eats it sometimes and we get it from friends and stuff. We actually still have halloween candy left over from 05'

Marc, thanks for the quick crop.....now I am not so sure......that distant background adds some depth.....hmmmmmm......

Marc, I like the first one best, although minor difference between the two. It's a bit more depth but in all honesty it's only because I saw them both. If I would have seen only the 2nd one I am sure it would not have crossed my mind. The texture, colors, and depth are pleasing!

I would like to go there in winter and your images remind me of that. I thought about a quick jaunt there this coming weekend but not sure on making that long drive for one night, which is all I have right now!

Loved the first shot you posted, Marc, as it was different from your usual grand landscape and quite wondrous. Not that your grand landscapes aren't as tremendous as ever-- as evidenced here. Nice!

Another vote for the first crop. At first I thought the bit of the background peaking through at the top center was a little distracting, but it really doesn't bother me any more than the foreground hill in the LRC (which doesn't bother me at all), and I think its definitely necessary to leave the top of the hill in the BG in the frame to help flesh out the context of the image - or else it starts to look a little too abstract.

Yes the second crop works better. Beauty !!

sweet shot Marc! I actually prefer the original post, but I'm usually the odd man out around here The title is perfect!

Great shot. I also prefer the first version with the steely sky and the soft light.

Marc,
The title is very appropriate here with the subject. The colors and composition are very compelling here, as always. I do think the 2nd cropped version is stronger. In the first post, my eye keeps wandering up to the top of the frame, where in the 2nd, my eye is kept centered. The color and scale of the details seems more consistent in the 2nd crop.
This one would be a great image to see printed large.

That is pretty unbelievable (read: freaking amazing). WOW!

Beautiful. I love that area and see i have to get there at other times than late spring. The second crop keeps my eye centered also. Cliff

Hi Marc, I prefer the first version. The depth is really nice. The light on the left hand side of the image is wonderful!

I'm also on the first version team. The slight peek into the distance "breathes" it for me. Man, those Painted Hills are a wonder! Here's what else works for me: the highlights on the left are a great sweet spot of course, but having the snow dusting in the shadows sets it apart. Super image.

First crop: 6
Second crop: 3
Both: 4

...and 2 pounds of ribbon candy goes to the winning team.

(after consuming that we'll all look like this--> )

I vote for the first. Having seen #1 first, the 2nd has a bit of a squished feeling. Had I never seen #1, I don't think I would have noticed.

I liked the first better. The dark LRC slash doesn't help but distracts..... by first I mean the first Painted Hills shot you posted in an earlier thread.

I like the second crop and the lens compression makes for a sweet 'abstract'.

Second crop for sure, Marc, in fact you need to take a hair bit more off. In the first shot, you're trying to be literal but still abstract, which I think doesn't work. In the second, you're not listening to your abstract self and are still trying to have it both ways. I say crop of the top a bit more, crop out the bottom to compliment the top and you'll have a photo that I'd buy and study and wonder about every time I walked by.

May I repost?

In my version, you've got the "what the hell?!?!?!" feeling that I like so much. I feel my crop adds a even more of a compelling feeling that your original starts to get to (imho, of course).

Mark, you already read my mind. Even despite the 1'st crop folks being the majority, I was thinking along the same lines as yourself in regard to the abstract perspective.

Outrageous light, Marc - one of the best I've seen of this area! I'm torn by the two crops, as well - I like the second as an abstract, but also like the depth in the top of the first version. Something like the top 60% of the top version makes for a nice pano, and retains the depth and perspective of the landscape. Lots to work with, here!

Either version presented is pretty sweet...