I made my annual trek to Konza Prairie for wildflowers on Sun. and was disappointed to find that most everything had already bloomed. Just my luck... However, I drove the Mill Creek-Skyline Road on the way back and did find quite a few nice ones which I'll post in flora. I got this shot at the top of the very first big ridge that the main trail goes up. I haven't had much luck posting prairie shots to the main forum, and my last couple have had comments that the FG was lacking interest, so thought I'd ask you "locals" for advice. Is this attempt any better? I think it's very hard to convey the beauty of the vast prairie in a tiny photograph. Comments and/or suggestions appreciated as always.
I like this Angela. You captured the patterns in the distant hills nicely. The stones are a nice touch, since there is not much else in the Flint Hills :).
Hi Angela. First, its nice to see a post from you here.
I don't believe I could look at a picture of the Flint Hills and especially the Konza Prairie and not like it. I find it to be almost like a form of meditation whenever I go there.
You have hit upon some of the unique qualities of prairies that make them a great challenge to photograph. I struggle every time I walk into them. Believe me, I feel your pain.
If I can go on for a moment, here are my thoughts on how I try to approach them to photograph, and this is if I am going to shoot wide angle big scenes, which I love to do and will always be trying to improve upon.
I try to present when possible 3-4 "distinct" layers of interest in the image.
A clear foreground with sharp features if available, which you have done with the rock.
A mid ground point that helps carry ones eye into the scene and has some magnitude of detail. You have the first layering hill side and the presence of trees on both sides in your image which this is representing to me.
A distant background with features of some kind to help it standout. You have the next set of 2-3 hill sides sloping to the left which this represents to me.
Last and certainly not least, the sky. I seem to chose to include the sky predominantly only if there are nice clouds or wonderful color as around sunrise and sunset present.
Ok, that's my thoughts. Kinda simple for me to say, but not so simple for me to do. All those elements are not always present I know.
Your image here has all those things in it. It looks like many I have taken myself, and maybe in the same exact location. Your question, is this attempt any better? All I can say is this. It is a fine attempt and a fine shot. But, (and I say this to myself with many of my flint hill images) it needs something more. Maybe more rock in the foreground. More detail or texture in the middle section, one that maybe doesn't just get lost with the background.
In the spot you were standing at, which I'm sure I have stood also, It's as you said, hard to portray the prairie properly in a photograph. Very Beautiful to stand in and look at, very hard to photograph and get the same feeling.
I'm sure you have looked Angela, but I have to mention this. A few posts back, the one by Bill Dark Tallgrass Prairie #3, in my opinion is nothing short of a spectacular prairie image. Each of the elements I mentioned are in his photograph, distinct and beautiful in themselves.
I hope my little dissertation here didn't bore you to tears. The only way I can learn and try to grow in my photography is to share my thoughts with other like minded folks and to listen to their suggestions whenever I can. I hope I have mentioned something that might be of help.
Thanks for sharing Angela.
I think this is a wonderful image, Angela. I wouldn't pay too much attention to other's comments, since you're really the only one that has to be happy with it. Relatively few photographers have much experience shooting prairies due to the fact that prairies simply don't usually have the visual impact that places like Yosemite or the Grand Canyon have. As Brad mentioned, prairies are a challenge to shoot well. I've always thought that one of the key elements in extraordinary photographs is emotion, which is very hard to convey to someone who has never spent time on the wide open prairie. And as Tim E. has shown so well on numerous occasions - it's all about light. I think it's especially important when shooting prairies.
I'm with Bill and Brad, prairies are hard to convey. I usually go out to a local prairie every week or so, walking the dog, most often with camera along. So far the only photos I've felt are good enough to post here are flower closeups. The place is absolutely beautiful but I've always fallen short on communicating the wide-open-spaces feel of the place. You've done a good job here, better than I've been able to.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on July 4, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Angela, I think you've done an admirable job here in capturing the essence of the flint hills. As mentioned, it's tough to convey both the beauty and immense nature of this unique geography. Well done!
Discussion
5 repliesCanon Rebel XTI, tripod
polarizer, 2 stop GND filter
ISO 100, F18 @ 1/30
I don't believe I could look at a picture of the Flint Hills and especially the Konza Prairie and not like it. I find it to be almost like a form of meditation whenever I go there.
You have hit upon some of the unique qualities of prairies that make them a great challenge to photograph. I struggle every time I walk into them. Believe me, I feel your pain.
If I can go on for a moment, here are my thoughts on how I try to approach them to photograph, and this is if I am going to shoot wide angle big scenes, which I love to do and will always be trying to improve upon.
I try to present when possible 3-4 "distinct" layers of interest in the image.
A clear foreground with sharp features if available, which you have done with the rock.
A mid ground point that helps carry ones eye into the scene and has some magnitude of detail. You have the first layering hill side and the presence of trees on both sides in your image which this is representing to me.
A distant background with features of some kind to help it standout. You have the next set of 2-3 hill sides sloping to the left which this represents to me.
Last and certainly not least, the sky. I seem to chose to include the sky predominantly only if there are nice clouds or wonderful color as around sunrise and sunset present.
Ok, that's my thoughts. Kinda simple for me to say, but not so simple for me to do. All those elements are not always present I know.
Your image here has all those things in it. It looks like many I have taken myself, and maybe in the same exact location. Your question, is this attempt any better? All I can say is this. It is a fine attempt and a fine shot. But, (and I say this to myself with many of my flint hill images) it needs something more. Maybe more rock in the foreground. More detail or texture in the middle section, one that maybe doesn't just get lost with the background.
In the spot you were standing at, which I'm sure I have stood also, It's as you said, hard to portray the prairie properly in a photograph. Very Beautiful to stand in and look at, very hard to photograph and get the same feeling.
I'm sure you have looked Angela, but I have to mention this. A few posts back, the one by Bill Dark Tallgrass Prairie #3, in my opinion is nothing short of a spectacular prairie image. Each of the elements I mentioned are in his photograph, distinct and beautiful in themselves.
I hope my little dissertation here didn't bore you to tears. The only way I can learn and try to grow in my photography is to share my thoughts with other like minded folks and to listen to their suggestions whenever I can. I hope I have mentioned something that might be of help.
Thanks for sharing Angela.
Brad