Sunset, White Pines, Banning SP, MN

Incorporating dramatic light into woodland images is often a challenge for me, primarily because it simply does not seem to happen that often! I found this scene completely by accident one evening earlier this summer, but only had enough time to find a composition - not actually capture it. So, the next week, I returned to the same spot as the sun was beginning to set and got my large format camera set and ready to go. I needed a clear sky to allow the sun to peak through highlight these two trees, just as it was about to crest the horizon. Thankfully conditions were fairly ideal (though a bit windy, as you can see by the grasses), and I was able to come out with a satisfactory result.

Technicals: Tachihara 4x5, Fujinon 250mm, Fuji Provia 100f, 40 sec. @ f45

You say satisfactory - I think extraordinary. The firelike glow of the sunlight is simply amazing. I've never seen anything like this before. To my eye a superb image.

Thanks Ken. I should note that this pine grove was adjacent to a nearby clearing, which allowed the intense late-light to come through. It was pretty neat to see in person, and I was a happy guy. The transparency looks almost identical to this, and no photoshop trickery is involved. However, something tells me it might have been downright scary if photographed on Velvia.

Beautiful light, Joel. You've done it again! You did a great job capturing both the lighted FG and the details in the BG.

Cool shot Joel - nice work. That's great light..... Just remember, Velvia would have faded to black at the top of the image!

CJ

Excellent lighting on the trees, Joel!

Nice job capturing this spotlighting effect on the trunks, Joel.

Great image. Beautiful light.

It was definitely worth coming back for. I was in Banning last weekend and there were a few trees turned but it was mostly green. Same thing on the drive up along the Saint Croix River.