Posted by Darren Huski on January 18, 2010 at 8:25 PM
El Capitan, the sheer cliff that marks the end of the Guadalupe Mountains slices through the clouds in the deserts of west Texas.
This is actually the image that made me embrace digital alot more than I had and also convinced me to buy the Canon 70-200 f/4 IS lens. I was almost exclusively 4x5 in 2008 when this was made. I had picked up a Rebel XTI as my the companion camera for my 4x5. Not wanting to carry too much more than I already was I opted for a Tamron 17-50 and then a Sigma telezoom. When I saw this I knew there was no way I could get it on 4x5 with a 210mm lens (thats about a 60mm in full frame terms and about a 40mm for those with crop cameras). I needed reach and I used the only thing I had.
This image was made with a Sigma 55-200. Nice, light, compact, and cheap lens. But I always regret not having better glass as I just do not think it is as sharp as it could or should be.
After returning from this trip I ordered the Canon 70-200 f/4 IS. And I keep hoping for similar conditions!
Definitely the right place at the right time. You captured something some of us will never witness. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Tom Kennon on January 18, 2010 at 10:25 PM
Great image, Darren, the clouds are spectacular!
Posted by Larry Fischer on January 19, 2010 at 8:04 AM
Darrin, you've hit on a common issue and that is the moment and the equipment.
In most cases it is the lens in photography. A great telephoto for a once in a lifetime shot at a distant bird or a good wide angle lens at El Capitan. They do make a difference but cost contraints affect most of us.
I'm drooling over the Nikon 14-24 and figuring how I can sell stuff to purchase this lens, or a Nikkor 28 mm f1.4. I guess those things are of what liberty and free enterprise are made--the ability to work and improve.
Remember that...
the fisch
Posted by Bill Dark on January 19, 2010 at 8:31 AM
A magnificent image, Darren, regardless of the lens. I'm sure it was an unforgettable experience being there to witness this. Congratulations!
Posted by Ed Cooley on January 19, 2010 at 6:47 PM
Darren, I have to agree with Bill, this is an incredible image. Fortunately the subject and conditions were great. The mood overcomes any lack of sharpness.
Excellent Image, Darren. Although this is a great comp as is, I find myself wondering how this might look as a 4X5 crop leaving the left 2/3 of the image. My reasoning is that the right 1/3 of the image consists of mostly bright clouds with little tonal variation (at least on my monitor which seems to be really bright anyway). This would also help to offset El Capitan so that it is not so centered. I am not usually adamant about following compositional rules for the sake of following them, but in this case it might help strengthen the composition. Anyway, that is just food for thought. This is an excellent image as shot.
By the way, I enjoyed your article this month on the Wichita Mtns. It definitely looks like an interesting place to explore with a great diversity of wildlife and only 3.5 hrs away from home. Who knew?!?
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on January 19, 2010 at 9:04 PM
I love the way the clouds have wrapped themselves around El Capitan Darren. A great moment, beautifully composed.
I own Canon's 70 - 200 F/4 IS and just love it's sharpness. I think you will too.
Posted by Scott Bean on January 19, 2010 at 11:32 PM
Darren this is a beautiful moment beautifully captured.
Posted by Darren Huski on January 20, 2010 at 5:38 AM
Thanks all for the comments.
I have played around with a few crops but never like any of them much better than this. Ed's comment about mood overcoming sharpness is one I often tell myself and others that being there with any camera is still better than missing it. But, I still wish I'd had the Canon lens then. BTW- I have been totally blown away at the quality of the images I get from that 70-200 f/4 IS lens, wonderful piece of glass.
If you saw my coyote post a few days back I had arrived at the Guads in a snowstorm this last year and and driven around the mountain looking for a hopefully similar image, but no luck on the mountain. It was then I saw the coyote, so I guess I lucked out afterall.
And both days out there sure beat sitting in a cubicle at work!
Posted by John Moore on January 21, 2010 at 10:05 AM
Discussion
11 repliesThis is actually the image that made me embrace digital alot more than I had and also convinced me to buy the Canon 70-200 f/4 IS lens. I was almost exclusively 4x5 in 2008 when this was made. I had picked up a Rebel XTI as my the companion camera for my 4x5. Not wanting to carry too much more than I already was I opted for a Tamron 17-50 and then a Sigma telezoom. When I saw this I knew there was no way I could get it on 4x5 with a 210mm lens (thats about a 60mm in full frame terms and about a 40mm for those with crop cameras). I needed reach and I used the only thing I had.
This image was made with a Sigma 55-200. Nice, light, compact, and cheap lens. But I always regret not having better glass as I just do not think it is as sharp as it could or should be.
After returning from this trip I ordered the Canon 70-200 f/4 IS. And I keep hoping for similar conditions!
In most cases it is the lens in photography. A great telephoto for a once in a lifetime shot at a distant bird or a good wide angle lens at El Capitan. They do make a difference but cost contraints affect most of us.
I'm drooling over the Nikon 14-24 and figuring how I can sell stuff to purchase this lens, or a Nikkor 28 mm f1.4. I guess those things are of what liberty and free enterprise are made--the ability to work and improve.
Remember that...
the fisch
By the way, I enjoyed your article this month on the Wichita Mtns. It definitely looks like an interesting place to explore with a great diversity of wildlife and only 3.5 hrs away from home. Who knew?!?
I own Canon's 70 - 200 F/4 IS and just love it's sharpness. I think you will too.
I have played around with a few crops but never like any of them much better than this. Ed's comment about mood overcoming sharpness is one I often tell myself and others that being there with any camera is still better than missing it. But, I still wish I'd had the Canon lens then. BTW- I have been totally blown away at the quality of the images I get from that 70-200 f/4 IS lens, wonderful piece of glass.
If you saw my coyote post a few days back I had arrived at the Guads in a snowstorm this last year and and driven around the mountain looking for a hopefully similar image, but no luck on the mountain. It was then I saw the coyote, so I guess I lucked out afterall.
And both days out there sure beat sitting in a cubicle at work!