I woke up Monday at 4 am and it was pouring rain. I was very close to throwing in the towel and going back to sleep, but a vision of one of my favorite photos, Todds "Fog along the San Miguel RIver" popped in my head, and i knew i had to take the remote chance the weather would cooperate. So i drove through the rain and wet snow up the road to Cinammon Pass near Lake City. It was looking pretty hopeless until just before sunrise when i saw a few light spots in the sky. Unfortunately it didnt break until just after sunrise, but when it finally did i had a good hour when i shot 100+ photos. It was really a breakthrough shoot for me, the first time i really felt confident that i was going to come away with a special collection, as opposed to just one or two nice shots.
This one i nearly didnt process, the preview-sized version didnt catch my eye. But then i looked at it full-scale, and i realized this was my best shot; it quickly became one of my all time favorites. To get an idea of why, you have to see it larger; looks like i cant post larger here so ill post a larger version at ESS. I didnt use filters or blends on any of these shots, they were all one exposure with most of the pp done in RAW.
On a side note, if you get a chance check out this months edition of 5280 (Denver zine); i have two shots in their article on CO State Parks.
Need some color? This lichen covered rock quickly became my favorite spot to shoot from. I had to wait for the fog to clear enough behind me so that the rock face was lit up.
I went B&W with half my shots. fog and snow screamed monochrome to me. This scene reminded me of some foreboding biblical theme, maybe because of the crossed branches.
A look up at the cliffs and forest. Despite the fog, the air was crisp and i captured some amazing detail in the forest.
That's it for this post, would like to post dozens more, at some point will get the whole collection up on my website.
Oh YES!!! These are all superb, Stan! I'm glad you were in the right place at the right time, and knew what to do when presented with the opportunity. Although you have many, many excellent shots in your arsenal, these do indeed look like some kind of breakthrough moment for you. Congratulations! And I, for one, would not object to seeing more.
I'm actually not too crazy about the foreground in the first one, the tree in the ulc is cutting off that area, and the white intruder at the bottom is a distraction. I like the next layer behind that with the lighter area left, and the two trees lower right. The lighting on those is magical.
Compared to 2, 3, 4, 5, six is only o.k. But man! does #5 grab me! That one is just remarkable.
Morris, your picking it apart the way i initially did, that's why it almost never saw the light of day. I think if you check out the larger version i just posted at ESS youll like it a bit more
Well, you just went one better! I would crop above the lowest pine because of the partial branches, which also puts your lines in the comp right into the lower left corner. Magical ethereal light!
It does look better larger, Stan. I don't mind the snow covered branch near as much in that version. But, I still don't care for the bisecting of the frame in the ulc. Sorry. Don't fret, man, these are all outstanding. But you already know that. You knew it as soon as you shot them, didn't you. I've had a very few of those moments, and I am feelin' you!
No problem, Morris, i knew from the start the comp wasnt going to grab anyone, its more of a mood shot that i like because it reminds me of the experience. I mucho appreciate your critique. The problem with cropping the last is then i end up with one lone pine in the center, and if i crop that too then i crop the shot to death. Fortunately i have a few more versions!
There is always a way for a pro like you to lose the partial branches. The lower pine is fine and I think it works well in the shot. The other branches could get lost in the fog, so to say.
Great shots Stan. I love #2, #5, and #6. Per Todd's comment, you breakthrough moment is when you borrowed his clouds. Great vision though, especially with the B&W.
I think my favorite here is #7, followed closely by 2 and 4. That sunny area in 7 filtered by the fog is just plain awesome. Great job for being in the right place at the right time.
Great stuff Stan...sorry I am late for this one. Magical is the word!! First one is my favorite....and #2 and #5 are great too....fifth one's processing is great!! second one's colors are amazing... regards, Rajeev.
Discussion
29 repliesThis one i nearly didnt process, the preview-sized version didnt catch my eye. But then i looked at it full-scale, and i realized this was my best shot; it quickly became one of my all time favorites. To get an idea of why, you have to see it larger; looks like i cant post larger here so ill post a larger version at ESS. I didnt use filters or blends on any of these shots, they were all one exposure with most of the pp done in RAW.
On a side note, if you get a chance check out this months edition of 5280 (Denver zine); i have two shots in their article on CO State Parks.
That's it for this post, would like to post dozens more, at some point will get the whole collection up on my website.
Compared to 2, 3, 4, 5, six is only o.k. But man! does #5 grab me! That one is just remarkable.
Jack
And congrats on having your images in the 5280 mag. I will have to buy a copy, tomorrow.
This was a great outing, #2 and #5 are fantastic!
John