Just above the eastern end of the Aspen CG in Lee Vining Canyon is a short rock wall. In previous wanderings around there, I noticed these rocks embedded in the granite. I really liked the textures and subtle coloration, and so decided to see what I could do with them.
Tachihara 4x5
Fuji 180mm lens
Fuji 160 Pro-S Color Negative
Cropped to square format
10/03/09
The embedded rocks are known as xenoliths. The darker rocks are diorite, and in this case they have fallen from a roof pendant into the melted lighter colored granite. The melt was not hot enough to assimilate the diorite rocks, so they became suspended when the melt solidified. There are many examples of xenoliths in the Sierra, especially in Yosemite area. As weathering occurs, the lighter granitic rocks will erode faster than the diorite. Eventually, these rocks will protrude from the surface...And that's your Sierra geology lesson for today.
I am interested in your thoughts and comments, as always,
-P
Posted by Lon Overacker on November 3, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Preston,
Fascinating rock study and certainly very abstract. I can see why you were attracted to this rock wall. Very graphic and I really like the mix of color and tone. Technically, I would consider burning down the upper part of the scene as it feels like I'm just getting pulled up and to the right - and out of the frame because of the relative brightness. Other than darkening the top/right triangle half (say that three times fast,) this is a great rock abstract.
Getting back to the compression thing... this one is very hard to judge, but I think it still borders on some visible jpg compression. I can understand your thoughts on different monitors, but something else to consider is that I'm observing these differences on the same monitor. If you go back to the images you posted in July and August, I just think that something has changed since then in your processing. Apologies for beating a dead horse my friend.
Preston, this came out very nice. I especially like the angle to the scene and the flow of the look from the URHC to the LLHC. I'm not sure if this was the exposure you took while I was there or this was later after I had left the area. Which brings to mind the juniper you had scoped out for a follow up shot too, how did that one come out?
Posted by Dan Baumbach on November 4, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Preston. I really like this. I would like to see it a bit darker with more contrast.
- Dan.
Posted by Eric Good on November 4, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Wow, I really enjoy the overall flow of this composition. Nice mixture of colors, shapes and textures. I particularly like the use of the hard shadow line that divides the image up diagonally. Other than maybe pulling back the exposure just a wee bit this looks pretty darn good to me. Nice find!
Discussion
4 repliesTachihara 4x5
Fuji 180mm lens
Fuji 160 Pro-S Color Negative
Cropped to square format
10/03/09
The embedded rocks are known as xenoliths. The darker rocks are diorite, and in this case they have fallen from a roof pendant into the melted lighter colored granite. The melt was not hot enough to assimilate the diorite rocks, so they became suspended when the melt solidified. There are many examples of xenoliths in the Sierra, especially in Yosemite area. As weathering occurs, the lighter granitic rocks will erode faster than the diorite. Eventually, these rocks will protrude from the surface...And that's your Sierra geology lesson for today.
I am interested in your thoughts and comments, as always,
-P
Fascinating rock study and certainly very abstract. I can see why you were attracted to this rock wall. Very graphic and I really like the mix of color and tone. Technically, I would consider burning down the upper part of the scene as it feels like I'm just getting pulled up and to the right - and out of the frame because of the relative brightness. Other than darkening the top/right triangle half (say that three times fast,) this is a great rock abstract.
Getting back to the compression thing... this one is very hard to judge, but I think it still borders on some visible jpg compression. I can understand your thoughts on different monitors, but something else to consider is that I'm observing these differences on the same monitor. If you go back to the images you posted in July and August, I just think that something has changed since then in your processing. Apologies for beating a dead horse my friend.
Lon
- Dan.