Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 10, 2010 at 5:20 AM
#1 - Sunrise 6:23 AM
Long, long ago, when 6 MP cameras were considered tops, we took a family trip to Yosemite. I was "granted" one full day at Mono Lake. Looking back through the images over the weekend, I decided it would be worthwhile reprocessing them with my current workflow. It's amazing how new software and improved processing skills can improve old RAW files!
Canon 10D, 50 mm, f/16, 1/6 sec, 100 ISO
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 10, 2010 at 5:21 AM
#2 - Last glow, 6:27 AM
The black streaks at the edge of water, are solid masses of brine flies.
2 image stitch - 17-40mm @ 17 mm, f/16, 1/8 sec, 100 ISO
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 10, 2010 at 5:21 AM
#3 - End of the sunshine, 6:33 AM
100mm, f/16, 1/6 sec, ISO 100
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 10, 2010 at 5:22 AM
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 10, 2010 at 5:22 AM
#5 - Sunset over Owen's Valley, from the Mono Craters trail, 8 PM
Son, tossing volcanic tuff boulders, for scale
17-40mm @ 17mm, f/16, 1/3 sec, ISO 100
Although we dodged in and out of rain showers all day, it was an excellent 15 hours.
I was so happy to share one of those fabled Eastern Sierra sunsets with the family!
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 10, 2010 at 9:15 AM
Neat-O! I really like #4 Tufa Storm, and that last one. Your son's silhouette adds a nice little bit of whimsy to a spectacular scene. Well done all 'round!
Posted by Bert Fukuda on March 10, 2010 at 10:11 AM
2 & 5 are killer!! I've always love stuff I saw from Mono Lake, just haven't made it there myself. Soon though.. as soon as life stops interrupting all the fun.
Posted by Lynn Scott on March 10, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Great set of pictures. Tuff storm is my favorite though :) I like wierd formations like that.
Posted by Jack Brauer on March 10, 2010 at 10:55 AM
#1 and #4 are my faves! Sweet shots all around.
Posted by Don George on March 10, 2010 at 11:33 AM
Great group of images. Would you want to trade your 10D for my 40D?
Posted by Jeff Beard on March 10, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Nice collection. I like tufa storm for the contrast and good exposure but I really like them all.
Posted by Bill Brennan on March 10, 2010 at 12:20 PM
Very nice series. Colors are spectacular.
Bill Brennan
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 10, 2010 at 1:47 PM
Thanks, for the feedback, everyone.
"Tufa Storm" has also been my favorite from that day.
I was amazed at the ease with which CS4 now handles the stitching of the three 17mm shots.
For the original processing, I had used dedicated stitching software, but still had numerous distortion problems with several seams that required tedious cloning. I was certainly not looking forward to doing that, again. This time I just dropped them into CS4, selected the "reposition" option, and got a perfect automatic stitch!
Those Adobe software engineers are amazing.
Posted by Adam Schallau on March 10, 2010 at 1:48 PM
An outstanding collection!
#'s 1, 3, 4 & 5 are my favorites. Adding your son in the photo not only gave it scale but provided that extra something that really makes it special.
I also have many 10D files that I think I'll revisit now...thanks for the motivation.
As long as it keeps snowing down here, looks like I'll have plenty of time!
Stunning! #2 is a jaw dropper. Yet another location to add to my photo bucket list.
Posted by Scott Fricke on March 11, 2010 at 12:18 AM
Great set of images Bill! I'd have to say #5 is my favorite, I really like the composition and all the color in the clouds and your son is an excellent addition to the scene.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on March 11, 2010 at 7:57 AM
cool series, Bill--i especially like the laast shot!
Posted by Rene Pirolt on March 12, 2010 at 12:11 AM
Great series Bill. Mono Lake is a tough place to shoot. Last time I was there, I stayed 7 days in Lee Vining and we had exactly 7 days of blue skies with no clouds!
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 12, 2010 at 1:50 AM
7 days of blue skies...I feel your pain, Rene !
This was a mid-August trip and I was pleased with the "terrible" rainy weather.
Both morning and evening were looking questionable, but it's so much fun when the sun finds a little crack - like our last evening at Spanish Bottom.
Discussion
30 repliesLong, long ago, when 6 MP cameras were considered tops, we took a family trip to Yosemite. I was "granted" one full day at Mono Lake. Looking back through the images over the weekend, I decided it would be worthwhile reprocessing them with my current workflow. It's amazing how new software and improved processing skills can improve old RAW files!
Canon 10D, 50 mm, f/16, 1/6 sec, 100 ISO
The black streaks at the edge of water, are solid masses of brine flies.
2 image stitch - 17-40mm @ 17 mm, f/16, 1/8 sec, 100 ISO
100mm, f/16, 1/6 sec, ISO 100
3 vertical image stitch
17-40mm @ 17mm, f/22, 1/8 sec, ISO 100
Son, tossing volcanic tuff boulders, for scale
17-40mm @ 17mm, f/16, 1/3 sec, ISO 100
Although we dodged in and out of rain showers all day, it was an excellent 15 hours.
I was so happy to share one of those fabled Eastern Sierra sunsets with the family!
Bill Brennan
"Tufa Storm" has also been my favorite from that day.
I was amazed at the ease with which CS4 now handles the stitching of the three 17mm shots.
For the original processing, I had used dedicated stitching software, but still had numerous distortion problems with several seams that required tedious cloning. I was certainly not looking forward to doing that, again. This time I just dropped them into CS4, selected the "reposition" option, and got a perfect automatic stitch!
Those Adobe software engineers are amazing.
That last shot is stunning...the colors and the perspective of your son are awesome!
#'s 1, 3, 4 & 5 are my favorites. Adding your son in the photo not only gave it scale but provided that extra something that really makes it special.
I also have many 10D files that I think I'll revisit now...thanks for the motivation.
As long as it keeps snowing down here, looks like I'll have plenty of time!
This was a mid-August trip and I was pleased with the "terrible" rainy weather.
Both morning and evening were looking questionable, but it's so much fun when the sun finds a little crack - like our last evening at Spanish Bottom.