I'm kicking myself for not being around to shoot the landspouts, but had too much fun nevertheless camping up at Ice Lake Basin this weekend. Thanks to Guy S for the suggestion, and Jesse S and Scott B for some extra inspiration. Above 12K ft, the flowers were still going nuts! This is from the upper basin. My fav at ESS.
OK, so many shots, but id better save some for later and quit with this one
note i used a warmer WB for this shot, thought it looked better for the reflections, but would be interested in opinions (compare to top)
Posted by Mel Ladewig on August 25, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Hope you enjoyed it because the flowers at 12K in Breck got freezer burn. My wife and I were up there over the weekend. The tundra is already taking its autumn colors in the 10-mile and mosquito ranges.
On both images I'm struggling a bit with the slope into the lake and the wedge of blue. I think the one on ES&S is better with the more interesting shore line, but the foreground is split in a 50/50 arrangement that is slightly uncomfortable.
Edit- you added a bunch from when I was writing my comment. I'll have to go back to them later.
My favorite is #1 followed by #4 with its reflection of the green slope, although it looks like it could be tweaked a bit counterclockwise, it could very easily be a visual distortion.
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 25, 2008 at 1:58 PM
That second to last one is AWESOME! I think the yellows are way over-saturated, but the concept is very cool.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on August 25, 2008 at 1:59 PM
On second pass, #4 is really nice.
The columbines in #2 are really nice. I like the color palette but I probably would have deadheaded the partial flower.
I don't like the white balance on #5. Its pushing the plants to look a little muddy. You might consider using a lights mask on the red channel to apply a warming filter only to the warm portions of the image.
Posted by Jack Brauer on August 25, 2008 at 2:05 PM
I dig that abstract reflection shot of Island Lake.
Posted by Laurent Baig on August 25, 2008 at 2:19 PM
they're all nice, but #4 is exceptional
Posted by Paul Wegemann on August 25, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Great stuff, Stan. I really like your E,S&S post too.
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on August 25, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Stan...I like all of them!!! Excellent blues on 3rd one!!! Abstract vision is also great!!! What a cool place!!! I think I prefer the first on here over the ESS post!! great job Stan!!! regards, Rajeev.
Posted by Joshua Hardin on August 25, 2008 at 4:57 PM
I agree with Todd, the abstract #4 is my fav. I'd give it a slight counter-clockwise rotation though. I probably prefer the slightly cooler color balance in #1 vs. your final shot. I also like the angle in the first one that shows more flowers too. #1 appears a bit bright in the top center region though, but that could be my monitor. You can't help but dig Ice Lakes. Definitely one of my favorite summer spots. Congrats on finding flowers so late in the season!
Posted by Rand Herman on August 25, 2008 at 8:05 PM
All of them are great, but that 3rd reflection image is amazing.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on August 25, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Congrats on getting up to Ice Lake Basin. #4 has some great color going on. The others are fine also. I didn't make it to Island lake so it's neat to see photos of it. I definately need to get back up there next year. Interesting to see that the flower are hanging in there!
Posted by Carol Hyman on August 26, 2008 at 1:13 AM
Stan, the warmer shot of the lake, mountain, and flowers looks more alive, more real.
Thanks for the comments/critique! Ive already reworked a couple and will probably repost #4 on ESS. I just couldnt contain my excitement, processing shots at 12am after a 6 hour drive is usually not a great idea, but it had to be done!
Posted by Guy Schmickle on August 26, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Good to see ya got up there, Stan. The blues are a bit much in #3 as are the yellows in #4 (as previously mentioned), but otherwise these are very nice. #'s 1 and 4 are my favorites.
Thanks Guy. Im really puzzled by the yellow comment, maybe you are not seeing that there are yellow flowers completely covering the ground? I added zero saturation to this shot, and made sure the colors/WB were accurate at the scene. It looks pretty much as i saw it. I have corrected the very minor tilt and increased contrast a tad. I almost had to desaturate the blues in the ice lake shots, the water was so blue. But that's what the lake is famous for.
Posted by Jesse Speer on August 26, 2008 at 9:05 PM
No, I still haven't seen Island Lake (it's on my short list), and I like your take.
I'll never forget bushwacking through neck-high wildflowers at 4am to reach the upper basin. Ridiculous. What a great place.
This is a lovely series! I like #3 for the soft blues and the visible underwater rocks, and the lines and colors in #4 definitely give that picture the wow factor. If it's fair to use #1 to compare with the final photo for WB, the flowers in the cooler exposure have a nicer hue, and pop out better than in the warmer exposure.
Discussion
21 repliesnote i used a warmer WB for this shot, thought it looked better for the reflections, but would be interested in opinions (compare to top)
On both images I'm struggling a bit with the slope into the lake and the wedge of blue. I think the one on ES&S is better with the more interesting shore line, but the foreground is split in a 50/50 arrangement that is slightly uncomfortable.
Edit- you added a bunch from when I was writing my comment. I'll have to go back to them later.
The columbines in #2 are really nice. I like the color palette but I probably would have deadheaded the partial flower.
I don't like the white balance on #5. Its pushing the plants to look a little muddy. You might consider using a lights mask on the red channel to apply a warming filter only to the warm portions of the image.
Carol
I'll never forget bushwacking through neck-high wildflowers at 4am to reach the upper basin. Ridiculous. What a great place.