Posted by Steven Peckham on September 25, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Greetings everyone. While I have lurked here for a while, I have decided to give posting an image a try.
Took a few images up at (gasp! Yet another?!) Bear Lake. Sorry for the continued theme, but I have been wanting to get an image from up there for several years. Finally think I have a good one.
C&C welcome.
S
Posted by Nick Moore on September 25, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Hey Steve, looks like it paid off to go back Wednesday am, nice high clouds!. Colours are very very nice, as is the lighting. Compositionally I have a few suggestions I think the Large fg rock is a little dominating, it takes away some of Longs Peaks "limelight". As I found from this similiar position it is tricky trying to avoid the Aspens blocking the far ridge/peaks, I think the higher vantage point may of been slightly better. These are just my suggestions, it is still a very good image, one to be proud of!.
Posted by Steven Peckham on September 25, 2008 at 7:39 PM
Thanks for the kind comments Nick.
I figured the rocks in the foreground could have served as in interesting subject as well as repeat the pattern of the lower peaks. You are correct that the aspen does have itself in a distracting location (not too high, not low enough to see over). The clouds were really faint for most of the morning and I used a CP to bring them out. The little bit of saturation that comes with it didn't hurt either.
'll try moving the image crop a little higher to lower the foreground rocks. I might get away with this as I am showing a cropped 3 image pano (not a single frame image). As for the aspen.... Maybe I should bring an axe next time?
S
Posted by Nick Moore on September 25, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Don't do that, us other photographers have to photograph these trees some more
Posted by Rick Dunn on September 26, 2008 at 8:58 AM
Solid first post, Steve. Yeah, this area is really getting a workout; I think a new fall icon has been born.
Lots to really like about the shot - great colors, light is good (particularly on the aspen). I agree with Nick's comments about the rocks. I see what you were getting at with your comment about interest and repeating pattern. I think they do mimic the mountains nicely, but the problem is that they're actually more dominant than the mountains, but not nearly as interesting. So in the end, they steal attention from the stronger parts of the image.
I also think that if you could have included Joshua - or his legs - in this, it would somehow feel more familiar.
Nice work. Keep 'em coming!
Posted by Steven Peckham on September 26, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Rick,
Thanks for the comments. It is great to hear what other think and where I can improve on this next time.
Already thinking about cropping up from the bottom so that only the highest and largest rock remains and putting back in some sky at the top. Perhaps a little dodging of that big boulder as well so the contrast is reduced. Also, I might crop out the tall trees on the right. Plenty of things to consider and test.
S
Posted by Neil Corman on September 26, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Steven,
Nice first post. You mentioned cropping out the tall trees on the right, at first I was thinking bringing it in a little bit from the left but I agree with you on the right. Doing so let's the blue sky grab control of the edge and it contrasts well with the orange
I was up there that morning and recall talking to a "lurker" on the south edge of the lake who I suggested they should post and believe it was you. Good to see you posting some work on here and becoming a part of the community. Looking forward to seeing more work from you.
Cheers,
Neil.
Posted by Steven Peckham on September 26, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Neil,
If you talked to a guy standing on a rock down on the water's edge around 6:30 am shooting an xti, that would be me.
I am still not sure about working this image some more (can only get so much blood from a turnip). The more I look at it, the more the rocks win. I want to physically move forward and look over the rocks and see what is below and being stuck behind them is frustrating.
I have another one from Sat. afternoon that might be better. Sun on the aspens and clouds hanging down over Longs peak. And a better view of the lake below. Might be an easier fight to win. I would post it, but I think everyone has seen enough of bear lake for now.
Thanks for looking!
S
Posted by Neil Corman on September 26, 2008 at 2:44 PM
I guess I talked to a different lurker Wed morning, and the south side of the lake shooting Nikon.
Posted by Steven Peckham on September 26, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Not me. But I did pass by a group of guys over there around 8:30 shooting nikon.
Also, there sure are a lot of lurkers going up there to shoot. I have talked to several people who, like me, tend to lurk.
S
Posted by Dan Walters on September 26, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Discussion
10 repliesTook a few images up at (gasp! Yet another?!) Bear Lake. Sorry for the continued theme, but I have been wanting to get an image from up there for several years. Finally think I have a good one.
C&C welcome.
S
I figured the rocks in the foreground could have served as in interesting subject as well as repeat the pattern of the lower peaks. You are correct that the aspen does have itself in a distracting location (not too high, not low enough to see over). The clouds were really faint for most of the morning and I used a CP to bring them out. The little bit of saturation that comes with it didn't hurt either.
'll try moving the image crop a little higher to lower the foreground rocks. I might get away with this as I am showing a cropped 3 image pano (not a single frame image). As for the aspen.... Maybe I should bring an axe next time?
S
Lots to really like about the shot - great colors, light is good (particularly on the aspen). I agree with Nick's comments about the rocks. I see what you were getting at with your comment about interest and repeating pattern. I think they do mimic the mountains nicely, but the problem is that they're actually more dominant than the mountains, but not nearly as interesting. So in the end, they steal attention from the stronger parts of the image.
I also think that if you could have included Joshua - or his legs - in this, it would somehow feel more familiar.
Nice work. Keep 'em coming!
Rick,
Thanks for the comments. It is great to hear what other think and where I can improve on this next time.
Already thinking about cropping up from the bottom so that only the highest and largest rock remains and putting back in some sky at the top. Perhaps a little dodging of that big boulder as well so the contrast is reduced. Also, I might crop out the tall trees on the right. Plenty of things to consider and test.
S
Nice first post. You mentioned cropping out the tall trees on the right, at first I was thinking bringing it in a little bit from the left but I agree with you on the right. Doing so let's the blue sky grab control of the edge and it contrasts well with the orange
I was up there that morning and recall talking to a "lurker" on the south edge of the lake who I suggested they should post and believe it was you. Good to see you posting some work on here and becoming a part of the community. Looking forward to seeing more work from you.
Cheers,
Neil.
Neil,
If you talked to a guy standing on a rock down on the water's edge around 6:30 am shooting an xti, that would be me.
I am still not sure about working this image some more (can only get so much blood from a turnip). The more I look at it, the more the rocks win. I want to physically move forward and look over the rocks and see what is below and being stuck behind them is frustrating.
I have another one from Sat. afternoon that might be better. Sun on the aspens and clouds hanging down over Longs peak. And a better view of the lake below. Might be an easier fight to win. I would post it, but I think everyone has seen enough of bear lake for now.
Thanks for looking!
S
Also, there sure are a lot of lurkers going up there to shoot. I have talked to several people who, like me, tend to lurk.
S