Posted by Jack Brauer on August 24, 2010 at 7:01 PM
I scored a couple awesome sunsets this weekend during a loop hike from Ouray through the Uncompahgre Wilderness.
I've already written about this on my blog, but this summer has been outstanding for sunsets here in the SJ's... it's like a good snow year, but with sunsets.
Canon 5D2 + Contax/Zeiss 35-70mm (along with the next one).
Posted by Jack Brauer on August 24, 2010 at 7:01 PM
I would have been happy coming home with just that first sunset shot, but then the second night I was lucky to score this one, which I might like even more! We picked a somewhat random spot to camp, and I simply got lucky with the sunset positioning here. I love surprise, non-planned photos like this.
This was a tricky blend of 4 different exposures. It took quite a bit of work and multiple exposures to eliminate most of the lens flare. Let me know what you think of the job...
ughh your killing me with all these fantastic photos. This has to be one of your most productive summers ever. Great work all around.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on August 24, 2010 at 7:23 PM
These are both terrific, but I'd agree in that I like the second one a touch better. The reddish backlighting on the foreground pines is so cool. Excellent job on the processing with that too.
Posted by Jason Woerly on August 24, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Looks like a terrific trip. I absolutely love the first shot. That light is just amazing. My only critique would be the reflection of the sky and peak being so much lighter than their respective objects.
Posted by Jack Brauer on August 24, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Thanks Jeremy, Guy, & Jason!
Jason - thanks for pointing that out... yes I didn't notice that before. It may actually be that way since the lake had quite a milky light tan color to it - but in any case I should correct that for the photo.
Posted by Arthur Lund on August 24, 2010 at 7:31 PM
Fantastic shots. Your hard work paid off.
Posted by Tom Kennon on August 24, 2010 at 7:51 PM
Awesome shots, Jack. The Bear Creek trail shot brings back memories of one of my all time favorite hikes.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on August 24, 2010 at 8:16 PM
Spectacular set Jack. The Bear Creek Trail image is really cool too.
Posted by John Mumaw on August 24, 2010 at 8:42 PM
You've had a blessed year.
#2 looks completely natural to my eyes. Excellent job of 'development' and just being there for that moment!
Ok, whether you like it or not I'm going to start photo stalking you. The second shot is completely amazing, I love the sunburst and back-lit trees.
Posted by Jared Atencio on August 24, 2010 at 11:15 PM
The blend on the second one is spectacular! I've recently tried something similar with the backlit trees and just got a lot of chromatic aberration (shot with 17-40 into the sun). Don't know how you made such a difficult shot look so clean and easy? The other shots are terrific as well-looks like fun (and those raspberries look delicious)
Posted by Lance Warley on August 25, 2010 at 6:36 AM
Both are spectacular, Jack. That's for sure.
#2 is my fav, but the light and position of the cloud in #1 isn't exactly bubkis either.
Posted by Mike Sellers on August 25, 2010 at 7:08 AM
Jack,
Have you tried making a big print with an image made using that Contax lens yet? Can you see a difference in sharpness with this lens? That lens is becoming a cult classic.
Mike
The first one is just awesome, then you scroll down and see the second - unreal!!! Top notch stuff Jack, as always.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on August 25, 2010 at 2:08 PM
Jack, More praise for #2. It's Absolutely Stunning! I know how hard shooting into the sun can be. Your blend looks perfectly natural. Would you mind sharing details on your 4 exposures?
I was going to post a few photos from last night but after seeing these, there's no way. These are INCREDIBLE!
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on August 25, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Jack... I just keep coming back to your images... awesome images again Jack!
Posted by Brian Jackson on August 25, 2010 at 3:04 PM
Both are awesome, but #2 is just over the top good.
Posted by Jack Brauer on August 25, 2010 at 5:08 PM
Thanks all for your comments!
Jared - No, no problems with chromatic aberration on those trees. Probably the lens is the issue. It was definitely not an easy blend though, especially to merge a clean shot without lens flare, which was the real problem I had to solve.
Mike S. - Yes I've made some decent sized prints from that lens... they look good. It's a really sharp lens, definitely on par with the Canon 24mm TSE, which is impressive because it does so throughout its range. There's no soft length. Also it's very small and light... another big plus in my book!
Laurie - This is a blend of four images - the main exposure, one brighter one for the trees (with my hand covering the sun to cut flare), one darker one for the sun area, and another one with my hand blocking the sun to cut the lens flare on the left side. I blended them all manually in Photoshop using lots of alpha mask gradients and brush work.
Posted by Art Escobado on August 25, 2010 at 8:00 PM
These are great Jack!! Love the light on the 2nd FANTASTIC!!
Posted by Dan Walters on August 25, 2010 at 11:18 PM
In a league of your own. Incredible images, Jack! I feel fortunate every time you post, because you go places I will never get to, and bring back phenomenal shots.
Killer shots Jack. I love the 1st one very much, and you did an excellent job getting rid of the flare.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on August 30, 2010 at 10:30 PM
What great lighting in #2 with the clouds, sunburst and backlit trees. Really catching and well done! Minor possible nit- the grass in the lrc looks a tiny little bright to me considering it is on the shadow side of the treeline.
Discussion
36 repliesI've already written about this on my blog, but this summer has been outstanding for sunsets here in the SJ's... it's like a good snow year, but with sunsets.
Canon 5D2 + Contax/Zeiss 35-70mm (along with the next one).
Thanks for any comments/critiques! Also, you can see a few more shots here: http://www.widerange.org/gallery/ouray-uncompahgre-loop/
This was a tricky blend of 4 different exposures. It took quite a bit of work and multiple exposures to eliminate most of the lens flare. Let me know what you think of the job...
Jason - thanks for pointing that out... yes I didn't notice that before. It may actually be that way since the lake had quite a milky light tan color to it - but in any case I should correct that for the photo.
#2 looks completely natural to my eyes. Excellent job of 'development' and just being there for that moment!
#2 is my fav, but the light and position of the cloud in #1 isn't exactly bubkis either.
Have you tried making a big print with an image made using that Contax lens yet? Can you see a difference in sharpness with this lens? That lens is becoming a cult classic.
Mike
Nice stuff, Jack--the second post here is killer!
Jared - No, no problems with chromatic aberration on those trees. Probably the lens is the issue. It was definitely not an easy blend though, especially to merge a clean shot without lens flare, which was the real problem I had to solve.
Mike S. - Yes I've made some decent sized prints from that lens... they look good. It's a really sharp lens, definitely on par with the Canon 24mm TSE, which is impressive because it does so throughout its range. There's no soft length. Also it's very small and light... another big plus in my book!
Laurie - This is a blend of four images - the main exposure, one brighter one for the trees (with my hand covering the sun to cut flare), one darker one for the sun area, and another one with my hand blocking the sun to cut the lens flare on the left side. I blended them all manually in Photoshop using lots of alpha mask gradients and brush work.