On Monday I hiked up to Crystal Lakes in RMNP for sunrise. I'd never seen any photos there so I thought I'd give it a try. There weren't any clouds so I tried to make the best of it. I then hiked up Mummy Mtn as I had never been up there and then made my way back to the gallery via the Black Canyon Trail. It was a long but enjoyable day in the mountains. As you can see, I'm still really interested in the stars. One of these days I'll get a lens that will let me do them justice. As always, your honest input is very welcome.
Wow man, you've totally killed it with these shots. 'Spring Flowers at Crystal Lake' is extraordinary. My eye starts at the bottom and keeps going until the bitter end.
They are going to make amazing new additions at the studio. Great work, keep it up dude!
That 4th shot (vert of the lake with flowers) is awesome, and theyre all real nice. The stars shot is an improvement over earlier efforts, but theres still color noise that kind of takes away some of the impact. You may just be at the limits of your gear, not much to do about that. I actually like the trails shot better--i usually dont like star trail shots but that one is pretty cool. Looks like the monsoon may try to kick in for next week, so maybe the skies will be more interesting. Im hoping for Sunday morning, if it looks good i may forego sleep and be out for that one
Posted by Dan Walters on June 23, 2010 at 11:25 PM
Great images! That first one with all the stars is just amazing!
Posted by Amy Lindsey on June 23, 2010 at 11:41 PM
Erik, this is really great work. Your star shots are really starting to look great, and your sunrise shots are fantastic. My favorites are #3 and #5, because the reflection of the peaks are just beautiful!
Posted by Jared Atencio on June 24, 2010 at 12:41 AM
Can't believe there are actually parts of the park you've never been Seriously though, I'm also a big fan of "spring flowers at crystal lake"-love seeing the juxtaposition of flowers and ice in the same shot. It's also not easy IMO to make interesting comps in the tundra, but you always manage to organize the elements in a very pleasing way. Finally, great job on taking a clear, cloudless sunrise and working the scene accordingly
These certainly are great!
I love the starscapes. I think you did a fine job there, Erik. The evergreens are a perfect way to frame them. I'll take Stan's word about color noise, but I don't really see it myself.
My favorite of your next series is 'Crystal Lake at Sunrise'. The reflection in the small pool is just wonderful.
Posted by Dan Baumbach on June 24, 2010 at 8:05 AM
I love the night images the best.
- Dan.
Posted by Jack Garrett on June 24, 2010 at 9:00 AM
We're gonna have to change your name to Erik Starsland! I love that first one with the milky way all lit up. Nice to see some flowers starting to come up as well. Great series Erik
Posted by Brian Jackson on June 24, 2010 at 11:55 AM
First one is interesting. Still needs some refinement. The last three are really sweet. Well done.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on June 24, 2010 at 11:56 AM
The silhouette of the firs against the milky way in #1 really caught my eye. Like how the snag is hid by the live fir's silhouette. A vertical crop like you did in #2 would be nice also to compliment the vertical trees and milky way.
I like #3 best of the sunrises at Crystal Lake. Must have been a great morning to see the light hit the rim and have the reflections. Nice series.
In "Reflecting Pool" I might be inclined to crop of the bottom branches hanging over the water near your copyright signature, but leaving the brown cluster right above them.
Discussion
21 repliesWow man, you've totally killed it with these shots. 'Spring Flowers at Crystal Lake' is extraordinary. My eye starts at the bottom and keeps going until the bitter end.
They are going to make amazing new additions at the studio. Great work, keep it up dude!
I love the starscapes. I think you did a fine job there, Erik. The evergreens are a perfect way to frame them. I'll take Stan's word about color noise, but I don't really see it myself.
My favorite of your next series is 'Crystal Lake at Sunrise'. The reflection in the small pool is just wonderful.
- Dan.
I like #3 best of the sunrises at Crystal Lake. Must have been a great morning to see the light hit the rim and have the reflections. Nice series.
In "Reflecting Pool" I might be inclined to crop of the bottom branches hanging over the water near your copyright signature, but leaving the brown cluster right above them.