Posted by Cory Freeman on March 3, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Well, as the title would imply, I finally went to Mono Lake for the first time. Not only was it my first time walking its' shoreline but I was there to do photography as well. I have purposely avoided Mono Lake since moving here because of it's Iconic larger than life appeal. I suppose it might be akin to the old saying "like a moth to the flame..."
Passing through Mono lake last year on my way home from Sacramento, I was witness to one heck of a sunset. It was then that the light bulb went on as to what the appeal of the place might be. So here it is a year later and I finally got it, those endless reflections are captivating and so mystical. As a first time visitor we chose to start at South Tuffa Beach to introduce ourselves to the place. I didn't take too many images but I did become enamored w/ the image posted here. I just couldn't get over how dead calm that water was. Not only in the immediate area but the whole lake! Unbelievable.... Well my friends and I waited for a sunset that never really panned out. With storm clouds hanging over the sierra crest to the west, the sun's light was quickly snuffed out and replaced w/ a cascade of wind driven ripples.
re the image: i've tried not to put too much contrast into this intentionally as I think that accentuates the lighting and the mood at the time.
Though this image isn't the often sought after pink/magenta hues of mono lake I did like the pillow soft reflection of clouds and the blueish colors of the late afternoon. One thing's for certain, I'll be back.....
Cory, I have seen a lot of Mono Lake shots, but this IMHO has the best reflection I can ever recall. This truly is a mirrored image. Very nice indeed.
Posted by Cory Freeman on March 3, 2009 at 2:59 PM
thanks Robert & Paul!
@Robert: thnks for the suggestion but for now I like the ethereal feel the clouds add. But I may change my mind and do just as you suggest! I think I cropped a bit of the reflection off and I'm wondering if I'd like to see more of it, which would make a more centered image.
Very nice. I've never had calm waters the few times I've been there...
I guess it is possible to fall in love with sulfur and flies. :-)
The framing works for me, as well as the contrast, as well as the reflections. It's a little bit gray so if it was my photo I'd play with the white balance, and would brigten the highlights some.
Cory - this certainly doesn't have the wow factor, but, given some recent thoughts of mine regarding image subtlety, I took a moment to let it sink in. After that, I decided I love the calm and peaceful tones, the light fluffy clouds and perfect reflection is certainly interesting. Those tufas really stand out! In conclusion: I like it, don't change it.
Posted by Cory Freeman on March 4, 2009 at 10:12 AM
thx dan & floris
@Dan: was going for a more blueish cast. Anyone else seeing more gray than blue?
@Floris: definitely not about a wow effect here, as is a lot of my photography. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Well, aren't you glad you finally gave in? Of course I haven't been down to South Tufa in probably 10 years... been there done that.
But this is a great rendition of these famous tufas. I really like the quiet, calm mood this presents and the reflection is awesome. I think you could get away with a crop of the sky for a very nice symmetrical presentation.
Lon
Posted by Rodney Ninow on March 4, 2009 at 8:41 PM
I like the image, but agree that some of the sky should be cropped out. Although normally it is a no-no to put the horizon dead center, if you crop it that way, it works well with this image.
Mono lake is a place I can return to year after year. Yes it has been photographed by thousands, but the lake is alive and ever changing. I can't say I have ever seen the water that calm in the afternoon.
Sunrise is the usual best light at Mono. Afternoons/sunset are not as spectacular because the light show is cut short by the high Sierra.
Posted by Rudy Ruberti on March 5, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Mammoth, Owens River, Mono Lake. We're bound to run into each other one of this days. Mono lake may be overdone, but it's still a fun place to photograph. Great reflection here.
Discussion
10 repliesPassing through Mono lake last year on my way home from Sacramento, I was witness to one heck of a sunset. It was then that the light bulb went on as to what the appeal of the place might be. So here it is a year later and I finally got it, those endless reflections are captivating and so mystical. As a first time visitor we chose to start at South Tuffa Beach to introduce ourselves to the place. I didn't take too many images but I did become enamored w/ the image posted here. I just couldn't get over how dead calm that water was. Not only in the immediate area but the whole lake! Unbelievable.... Well my friends and I waited for a sunset that never really panned out. With storm clouds hanging over the sierra crest to the west, the sun's light was quickly snuffed out and replaced w/ a cascade of wind driven ripples.
re the image: i've tried not to put too much contrast into this intentionally as I think that accentuates the lighting and the mood at the time.
Though this image isn't the often sought after pink/magenta hues of mono lake I did like the pillow soft reflection of clouds and the blueish colors of the late afternoon. One thing's for certain, I'll be back.....
you might consider cropping out about half of the sky.
@Robert: thnks for the suggestion but for now I like the ethereal feel the clouds add. But I may change my mind and do just as you suggest!
I guess it is possible to fall in love with sulfur and flies. :-)
The framing works for me, as well as the contrast, as well as the reflections. It's a little bit gray so if it was my photo I'd play with the white balance, and would brigten the highlights some.
@Dan: was going for a more blueish cast. Anyone else seeing more gray than blue?
@Floris: definitely not about a wow effect here, as is a lot of my photography. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Well, aren't you glad you finally gave in? Of course I haven't been down to South Tufa in probably 10 years... been there done that.
But this is a great rendition of these famous tufas. I really like the quiet, calm mood this presents and the reflection is awesome. I think you could get away with a crop of the sky for a very nice symmetrical presentation.
Lon
Mono lake is a place I can return to year after year. Yes it has been photographed by thousands, but the lake is alive and ever changing. I can't say I have ever seen the water that calm in the afternoon.
Sunrise is the usual best light at Mono. Afternoons/sunset are not as spectacular because the light show is cut short by the high Sierra.