Torres del Paine

One of the seven wonders of the photographic world!

I'm happy for any criticisms and suggestions. Yes, there is a particular difficulty or problem, and I'm interested in who can spot it.

Tetons? Who needs Tetons. The obligatory mountain-reflected-in-crystal-still-water. Earlier would have been more alpen glow, but I had to run back to the hotel (yes, minus the pond, this is pretty much the view out the window) to get my film camera. Then forgot my lens, and ended up with only a 50mm or a 10-24 DX. This shot was on my Nikon D90. This is a good picture, but needs a little-rezzing to get to 12x18, so I vowed to upgrade to a better, digital someday, or bring my medium format P645N next time.

It is important to realize that the wind NEVER stops blowing in Patagonia, so this was a lucky moment of smooth water.

http://www.photokinesis.info/Landscapes/Landscape/DSC569418x12shrp/920447717_tTJYb-M.jpg

(Okay, I'm new here and haven't quite figured out all the image posting stuff. Maybe in 48 hours I can post it?)

(Got the link to work; not the img embed)

Here is the reflection img. (Is there really a 48 hour rule?)

WOW!!! That reflection shot is SICK! Not sure what the problem is in #1, looks great to me. If there's something that would stick out like a sore thumb once revealed, I think I'd take that information to the grave.

I dont know if its flare or haze, but something is mucking up the peaks in the first shot. That reflection shot is sweet!

I'm not too fond of the first one because the harsh light makes it overly contrasted and the composition just doesn't grab me.
However, the second one looks great! It's quite underexposed, though (..see your histogram). Some judicious editing can really bring out its full potential.

You have similar versions of #1 at your site that look much better!
Also enjoy the pano. version of #2 there. This place is definitely on my 'life list'!

The pano shot is nice. How long were you out there? I want to go to Patagonia and am interested in understanding what to expect and how to prepare for the trip.

I applied an S-contrast curve which brought the warmth way up. SmugMug applies some auto levels, contrast and saturation so everything there looks more lively in the little galleries. I'm not sure if I like that, because sometimes you want low-key. Here is a repost.

Stan nailed the problem on the first shot: flare and sunspots. The latter I was able to remove with a bunch of effort in Photoshop. Flare remains to de-contrast the left mountain. Lens was the Nikon 18-35mm D, a very convenient, light-weight zoom, but I've lost some shots, due to sun in the lens. Taught me a lesson to always use a sunshade, because I do like back lit scenes.

I really like the first shot--better than the second. The scene truly had that high-contrast feel with the backlit brush, and spotty clouds and sun highlighting the glaciers, field and rock-dike. I also like the foreground-background depth. This picture deserves a higher pixel treatment, and the next time I would use 645 or landscape digital.

The second shot is glorious; fit for a calendar. But, I prefer photos that have something special that isn't so easy or popular. I mean, any landscape photographer has a collection of these popular efforts. I guess if you have 200 of them hanging in a bricks-and-mortar gallery, then you are a real professional. Street photography, juxtapostion of human with composition, the unexpected: those are harder and more rewarding when it works.

Wildlife: guanacos (wild llamas), condors and other birds, as the Torrent Duck above.

Torres is just spectacular. You can camper-van it or stay in the expensive hotels. I was on a tour, so I didn't see the individual bills, thank god, but certainly worth it if you have that kind of money. The Explora lodge was truly high-end, and included 5-star meals, drivers, daily activities and guides (some of whom were skillful). Explora has a week program with a cycle of activities and a traditional Patagonia BBQ, but early or late season tourists are lighter, and I think you can negotiate a half week when they are anxious to fill their rooms. April would be rather late season, Fall for the Southern hemisphere, and lighter crowds.

Wind never stops. Clouds never quite give up on the ocean upslope (left side of the picture). Fall has the beech trees going to all shades of yellow, red and green, as some are evergreen. This was Spring, with the dark red flowers on the little fire-bush plants. You'll need a car or driver. Lots of great 10-mile and 25 mile hikes... at low altitude, so you can just chug up the mountain until your thighs give out.

I think the outdoor photographer would die without the freedom to drive yourself on your own schedule.

Can't say the first is doing it for me, but the reflection shot is awesome (repost is better, perhaps could still use some lightening up). However, the torrent duck is my pick of the bunch; the fluttering you captured is very cool!

Great work, Tom, at a place that is definitely on my bucket list. I think the first shot suffers from the flare but also a comp that has lines going diagonally, nothing taking our eye to the subject. As I looked at it I couldn't help wondering how it would look on the other side of that ridge. The duck and the reflection shots are awesome. I also have an N90s. Great camera.

I'm with Jackson, the Torrent Duck is my favorite, I never got that close to one when I was there in 2008. The reflection is extremely nice as well. I agree with your comments about the wind, I had one day where I had to be careful opening my car door to prevent it from being ripped off its hinges and had to walk crouched over and low to the ground to prevent myself from literally being blown over. I never saw Lake Pehoe with anything less than about 1 foot high waves.

I dodged the central field to lighten it up. Better picture, but I understand about the composition. Thanks Rod, your comment about diagonals helps me understand. There is too much going on in each corner, and no central subject.

You have to be lucky for the torrent duck, and that is where a knowledgeable guide is useful. This female was taken in the rainy-misty coming down from the hike to the towers. Trying to keep rain off the camera, but my D90 and 70-300mm did get soaked. The wing beat blur was total luck out of a dozen or so pictures.

I also really like #2. Who can resist an epic scene like this. Such dynamic, dramatic peaks. Maybe unpraralled in the world. Well, maybe the Himalayas. Ditto on the comp and light problems not making #1 that strong an image. And the duck shot is great.

Really like #2. Great location.

#2 is a special shot. I think it could be improved with some processing work but you've got the shot which is the main thing.

Having spent a month in Patagonia, I know how special these still (and clear) moments are. By the end of my trip the wind was truly driving me insane mentally. I don't know how people can live there and tolerate it.

I really like the reflection in number 2.

Those peaks in #2 are amazing.