Posted by Kalin Wilson on December 31, 2007 at 5:33 AM
I just posted an image to ESS and I thought some of you might be interested in the back story.
Thanks to Jesse Speer for showing me this location, although I don't think it's a big secret. After our bust on the prior Saturday, I was looking forward to catching the moonset if any clouds made a showing. I got up at 5am, saw some high clouds around the moon, laid down on the couch, and almost slept through it all. I got up and out just in time to get here before the moon disappeared below the ridge. Due to the separation between the moon and the peak a panorama was in order. This was taken right at the end of twilight as the eastern faces were starting to glow.
I got a real photoshop workout with this one. It's a seven image, 150 degree, stitch where each image is a two to three exposure blend. I went through three versions, each time noticing a minor but noticeable issue just as I was going to post the web version. I ended up having to manually manage the lighting transition from east to west across the stitched images in this fourth attempt. Photoshop photomerge did the better job over autopano this time.
I'm pretty happy with it now but I'm always open to suggestions! Thanks for looking.
Posted by John Klotz on December 31, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Kalin, I saw your ESS post - NICE NICE NICE!
"I got up at 5am, saw some high clouds around the moon, laid down on the couch, and almost slept through it all". Jeez - I did the ame thing except I said to myself, "self It aint happened all week what makes me think it will happen today!" Silly self went back to bed! Derek called me about 7:45 to ask if I saw what was happening. Gotta love the weather around here! So... lesson learned...no rest for the wicked and photographers should get thier butts outta bed and not listen to "self"! Any chance you can bring this to the Shindig?
John
Posted by Mel Ladewig on December 31, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I wish I hadn't been sick all week. There have been quite a few nice days lately.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on December 31, 2007 at 12:08 PM
Kalin, I also saw your photo over in ESS. VERY VERY NICE!!! GREAT COLORS!!!
Another perfect example of what I pointed out in a post I made a few days ago "If you don't like the weather in Colorado, just wait a few minutes."
Glad you made it up there in time to capture a great sunrise.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on December 31, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Beautiful capture in so many ways! This is a definate winner.
Please post a link a bit larger version when you have a chance.
Posted by John Klotz on December 31, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Laurie -"If you don't like the weather in Colorado, just wait a few minutes." Yeah even if you have to wait a week...doh! Oh,well I did get a couple of nice shots this week so not crying to hard.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on December 31, 2007 at 12:42 PM
John,
I just checked the weather and there is no snow in the forecast for the next 10 days. I hope they are wrong. Last nights snow was unexpected. But the lack of snow may translate into good conditions for places like RMNP.
The good news is that are a lot of partly cloudy days which could be interesting for nice morning light. Erik will be out and about I'm sure.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on December 31, 2007 at 4:34 PM
Here is a larger version, cropped and lightened (midground).
Thanks for the comments everyone!
Posted by Derek Sedillo on December 31, 2007 at 5:31 PM
Kalin,
That went from a great image to superb! Obviously you showed us the image right after shooting it in the earlier version. The additional work on this one is well worth it. This is one of your best shots I have seen since the Fall.
One minor thing that I might work is the second tree from the left. The top sticking up into the sky above the Mtn. is the only part I would clone out. That would be minor surgery vs. taking out the whole tree. And I agree that you definitely should keep the foreground rock to the left. It adds depth and perspective IMO.
Great Job!!!
Posted by John Klotz on January 1, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Kalin, what Derek said - EXCELENT! I agree with the minor tree trimming as well.
JK
Discussion
10 repliesThanks to Jesse Speer for showing me this location, although I don't think it's a big secret. After our bust on the prior Saturday, I was looking forward to catching the moonset if any clouds made a showing. I got up at 5am, saw some high clouds around the moon, laid down on the couch, and almost slept through it all. I got up and out just in time to get here before the moon disappeared below the ridge. Due to the separation between the moon and the peak a panorama was in order. This was taken right at the end of twilight as the eastern faces were starting to glow.
I got a real photoshop workout with this one. It's a seven image, 150 degree, stitch where each image is a two to three exposure blend. I went through three versions, each time noticing a minor but noticeable issue just as I was going to post the web version. I ended up having to manually manage the lighting transition from east to west across the stitched images in this fourth attempt. Photoshop photomerge did the better job over autopano this time.
I'm pretty happy with it now but I'm always open to suggestions!
"I got up at 5am, saw some high clouds around the moon, laid down on the couch, and almost slept through it all". Jeez - I did the ame thing except I said to myself, "self It aint happened all week what makes me think it will happen today!" Silly self went back to bed! Derek called me about 7:45 to ask if I saw what was happening.
John
That's a real nice shot over on ESS Kalin.
Mel-
Another perfect example of what I pointed out in a post I made a few days ago "If you don't like the weather in Colorado, just wait a few minutes."
Glad you made it up there in time to capture a great sunrise.
Please post a link a bit larger version when you have a chance.
I just checked the weather and there is no snow in the forecast for the next 10 days. I hope they are wrong. Last nights snow was unexpected. But the lack of snow may translate into good conditions for places like RMNP.
The good news is that are a lot of partly cloudy days which could be interesting for nice morning light. Erik will be out and about I'm sure.
Thanks for the comments everyone!
That went from a great image to superb!
One minor thing that I might work is the second tree from the left. The top sticking up into the sky above the Mtn. is the only part I would clone out. That would be minor surgery vs. taking out the whole tree. And I agree that you definitely should keep the foreground rock to the left. It adds depth and perspective IMO.
Great Job!!!
JK