Just For Fun

Taken at the same spot as my last post, but with dawn lighting. I don't like it quite as much, but the lighting comparison is interesting. This is a 1x4 stitch, blended for DOF and DR.

I prefer your other one but this is nice as well. My only suggestion would be to tone down the area around the sun a little.

John, I actually really like this shot...

I have a question. Regarding exposure the exposure on the left would be totally different than the exposure on the right so how did you geht the colors of the lupin and balsamroot to match up perfectly with the rest of the scene!!! I may have to hire you to teach me photoshop!!! Although the sun is bright there is enough light on the flowers that my brain only notices the suns brightness just a little bit and more so focuses on the flowers.....

This is a very nice shot. I'd just suggest a small experiment. Try dumping a little more light towards the lower left corner to counter balance the sun. I just have a feeling that it gets dark too quickly there.

I like this one a lot too John. I still prefer your original, but this one is interesting, and very well done! The detail must be insane on this if it's a 4 shot stitch. The blown area around the sun doesn't bother me at all here. The color and details is just where it should be and the sun-star brings a lot to the image.

I really like this shot, John! Love the way the shadows lie in this one over the other one; they don't interfere with the lay of the land but enhance it. Also love seeing the sunrise. How on earth did you get the beautiful halo and no lens flare? Wonderfully done.

Thanks! This was an interesting learning experience; I have a ways to go for these extreme lighting shots. Darren, you are correct, and I think it's the blending that allows the extreme brightness of the right to be closer to the darker left in the originals. George, I'll have to play with that. As Darren notes, in the originals the left is much darker than the right. The detail is good Chris, but I goofed and accidentally left my camera on ISO 800, so there is more noise in the shadows than I wanted . Catherine I cloned out two spots on the far slope, I should have noted that in the original post.

Great job dealing with the light in this one, but not as great as that morning version - it is the best I have seen from that area...

So, am I getting this right? Each of the four stitched frames is comprised of at least 2 shots for DOF, and each of those again for DR? If so, you've handled it very well. I have tried the same process a few times and I usually end up getting frustrated. I think the light levels look very natural to my eye. The sun is blown, but it feels just right. Wouldn't bug me a bit in a print.

Sorry for the late answer Aaron, but that's correct. I stitch similar photos first, and then blend the results. It's a bit of a pain, but sadly I like fooling around on the computer.

Reminds me of that great early song by Spinal Tap, "(Listen to the) Flower People."

You PNW guys are killing me with these flower pix. Can't wait for the snow to melt here in Colorado.

One of my favorite films .