Posted by Todd Caudle on August 29, 2010 at 12:34 PM
I have other exposures of this scene with a little detail in the rocks that I could probably add, but I'm thinking the silhouette is the better choice. What say you?
#1: Overlook on Wolf Creek Pass (This was the same location as the infamous Pepsi One Massacre from last year.)
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 29, 2010 at 12:35 PM
A couple more, just for fun.
#2: La Garita Mountains rainbow (I wish I had more of the grasses in the lower left corner, but I like even the little bits poking into the frame more than if they weren't there at all. Some may disagree.)
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 29, 2010 at 12:36 PM
#3: A hellagood sunset over the San Juans. More later...
I see you had your new and improved Cloud Maker 5000 working overtime on #1, sweeeet!
I really love #2 as is but would prefer to see more of the grass tips ( for a feeling of more depth) or none at all (for clean comp).
If you keep raising the bar like this, I'm going to have to start practicing my pole vaulting to even come close.
Posted by Jesse Speer on August 29, 2010 at 1:24 PM
uh yeah, #1 "works". Sheesh, that's spectacular. The partially lit tree really ties it all together, if you ask me.
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on August 29, 2010 at 3:48 PM
All three are amazing. I have no suggestions for improvement. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by John Mumaw on August 29, 2010 at 4:28 PM
Damn right it works! In fact, I don't even want to see the version with more details.
The fog layers are great, adding a lot of depth that's already enhanced by the promontory in the foreground.
The second is an inspiring example (again) for me to consider using a telephoto lens more often. The bits of grass don't bother me at all.
Pretty amazing sunset you captured there. I'd say you had a pretty good year...and it's not even 3/4 finished yet!
Come one, save some great shots for the rest of us, you hog! How do you do that cloud thing? Everywhere you go. Then a glorious rainbow, which I would crop the grass and the dark lrc, and another unbelievable sunset. Man! But, that first one is in that different league you referred to recently.
Posted by Harold Ankney on August 29, 2010 at 5:04 PM
#1 is fantastic!..The fog layers with the partially lit tree does it for me.
Harold
Posted by Jack Brauer on August 29, 2010 at 7:07 PM
Todd, I keep chewing on # 1. I love the trees, I love the clouds over the forest, everything there is really beautiful. But I feel like the comp isn't quite coming together for me. I wish I could put my finger on the reason. It might be something to do with the little ski jump of black at the left edge. Or maybe I want more of the trees at the bottom right. Or maybe I'm finding it a little too centered. I have no idea what other compositional options you had here, but I'd be very interested in seeing some alternate versions if you've got 'em.
Love #1 Todd (the others are very cool too) but I see the tree and really expect to see the Pacific ocean in the background and then I see trees. Fakes me out--I love it!!! So not the norm!
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on August 30, 2010 at 3:24 AM
Todd...first one especially is a great image! It works ...! Very unique scene...very interesting light, layers of fog add so much depth
Posted by Lance Warley on August 30, 2010 at 6:47 AM
#2 for me. And the light on the tree in #1 is a killa.
Interesting question on number one. I would say for the photographers it does work (e.g., see above). But for John Q. Public does it work? That I am not certain, but I think it will not. The fog in the trees is definitely a crowd pleaser and the image has a feeling of depth, but the FG rocks and tree is a tough call. Comparing #1 to #2 I would say that #2 would win out when shown to the non-photographer crowd. Just my $0.02.
(edit)
I showed the images to some non photographers. As I anticipated, the first image obtained a neutral response. The rocks in the FG were the issue. The second and third were getting better responses.
Posted by Ed Cooley on August 30, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Total sweetness down in the valley. Do you have the whole tree in silhouette? I'm wanting to see a pano with the tree anchoring the left side of the composition showing more of whatever is to the right.
Posted by Kurt Bowman on August 30, 2010 at 12:07 PM
They ALL work for me Todd. Love the rolling fog in the first one, the rainbow in the second is incredible and the clouds in the third are super!
Posted by Bill Brennan on August 30, 2010 at 1:49 PM
After studying #1 for a while, you might want to consider what elements outside of the nicely lit tree are not contributing to the image.
Bill Brennan
Posted by D J Kuklinski on August 30, 2010 at 6:39 PM
Discussion
22 replies#1: Overlook on Wolf Creek Pass (This was the same location as the infamous Pepsi One Massacre from last year.)
#2: La Garita Mountains rainbow (I wish I had more of the grasses in the lower left corner, but I like even the little bits poking into the frame more than if they weren't there at all. Some may disagree.)
I really love that first one!
I really love #2 as is but would prefer to see more of the grass tips ( for a feeling of more depth) or none at all (for clean comp).
If you keep raising the bar like this, I'm going to have to start practicing my pole vaulting to even come close.
The fog layers are great, adding a lot of depth that's already enhanced by the promontory in the foreground.
The second is an inspiring example (again) for me to consider using a telephoto lens more often. The bits of grass don't bother me at all.
Pretty amazing sunset you captured there. I'd say you had a pretty good year...and it's not even 3/4 finished yet!
Harold
#2 is straightforwardly gorgeous!
What does the Cloudmaker 5000 run on - All Bran?
(edit)
I showed the images to some non photographers. As I anticipated, the first image obtained a neutral response. The rocks in the FG were the issue. The second and third were getting better responses.
Bill Brennan