Posted by Brett Deacon on July 30, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Hi everyone. All these recent images from the Snowy Range motivated me to head up there this morning to photograph at first light. Today saw probably the best combination of clouds, light, and wind I’ve ever had in the Snowies. Dramatic clouds at sunrise with no wind on the Lakes Trail; then overcast when I headed down French Creek Canyon to shoot the falls. As a bonus I got to photograph three bull moose maybe 100 yards from the side of the road on the drive home. The pics posted here were shot with the Sony a900 and Zeiss 24-70 lens (except for the moose; Sigma 100-300 f4).
Posted by Brett Deacon on July 30, 2009 at 6:56 PM
#2
Posted by Brett Deacon on July 30, 2009 at 6:56 PM
#3
Posted by Brett Deacon on July 30, 2009 at 6:56 PM
#4
Posted by Brett Deacon on July 30, 2009 at 6:57 PM
#5 - Mirror Lake
Posted by Brett Deacon on July 30, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Great stuff, Brett! Wonderful comps and post processing on the landscape shots. I had to go back and read the lens settings again cause at first I thought you shot that moose pic with your 24-70
Posted by Mark Stahlke on July 30, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Nice collection of images. It looks like you had some nice light. Lighten the sky a little and I'll vote for #5 in a heartbeat.
Cheers,
Posted by Jack Garrett on July 30, 2009 at 9:55 PM
I like 1,4 and 5 for sure and the moose is an added bonus
Brett, the Snowies are nothing if not photogenic, and the conditions appear to have been superb. That said, you sure knew what to do with what nature served up this morning! Sweet series!
Great set of shots, really like #1 the best, but the moose shot is really sweet too.
Posted by Todd Caudle on July 30, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Wow, this is about the best collection of SR images I've ever seen! You've probably increased traffic from Colorado (RMNP members) to Wyoming tenfold over the next month.
Posted by Brett Deacon on July 31, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Thanks for the replies everyone! This is definitely the best time of year to photograph in the Snowy Range. Normally things would start drying up a bit in the next week or so but not this year. There is still a lot of snow up there and it should be at peak for 2 more weeks, at least. There are a ton of moose around the higher elevation areas of Hwy 130. The wildflowers are very good as well. If anyone is heading up and could use some information or another person to photograph with, please let me know!
Every posted shot except for the moose is a Photomatix blend of 3 images, each separated by 2 stops. I'd appreciate any thoughts about the quality of the HDR "look" for these shots. I'd ask how "natural" these look but the clouds and colors this morning were anything but, so I'm not sure how well that question applies. I've become an HDR addict and this is one of the main reasons why I haven't exposed a single sheet of 4x5 film this year.
Posted by Brett Deacon on July 31, 2009 at 12:34 AM
I should also note that the beetle kill is getting noticeably worse each year in the Snowy Range. At this rate the pines near the top of the pass where the best scenery exists will be hard hit in a few years. So, no time like the present to head up here!
Posted by Kalin Wilson on July 31, 2009 at 2:40 AM
These are pretty nice HDR blends! I didn't even guess HDR until you said something. #1 gets my vote and that's one sweet moose shot!
I guessed these were HDR (the clouds in 1, 2, and 5 show signs of that) but it's really well done HDR and I like it. You obviously know what you're doing with Photomatix.
Posted by Scott Bacon on July 31, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Outstanding! Beautiful light!!
Posted by Jesse Speer on July 31, 2009 at 11:18 AM
I look forward to seeing your Snowy Range stuff every year. NICE work, Brett.
Posted by Scott Fricke on July 31, 2009 at 12:07 PM
All great shots, looks like you had perfect conditions. 1, 3, and 4 are my favorites.
WOW - what an amazing series Brett!!! I figure it doesn't get any better than #1 and then I see #5, awesome stuff! I have always wanted to go to the Snowies, and if the conditions are that good, I might make the trip up this week. Thanks for posting these!
Discussion
28 repliesThe moose is icing on the cake, what a great outing.
Cheers,
Don
Every posted shot except for the moose is a Photomatix blend of 3 images, each separated by 2 stops. I'd appreciate any thoughts about the quality of the HDR "look" for these shots. I'd ask how "natural" these look but the clouds and colors this morning were anything but, so I'm not sure how well that question applies. I've become an HDR addict and this is one of the main reasons why I haven't exposed a single sheet of 4x5 film this year.
Great series...those reflections are amazing!