Posted by Marc Adamus on April 2, 2006 at 11:21 AM
At the foot of Oregon's ten-thousand foot Steens range there were many rushing snow melt streams flowing through the desert landscape. This is the largest of them, Big Alvord creek, leading from the peaks illuminated in the first minutes of sunrise. The desert was still brown with Winter's grip still hanging on but I plan a return to these streams in greener times.
5D, 17-40, 2-stop hard and 3-stop soft GND, ISO 50, 1/2 second at F16.
Excellent color reflection in the water and a beautiful comp! I might tone down the mountains just a tad, they are a little overpowering to the rest of the image.
I have heard a lot of good things about the Steens area. Did you enjoy your time down there? What other subject matter is in the area? About how far is it from Portland area?
It's 7 hours from Portland. The area looks extremely similar to the East side of the South Sierra near Bishop with a huge, flat desert playa surrounded by rocky sage lands. I've spent several months of my life there and it is as beautiful as any region of Oregon. I highly recommend it.
Nice one, Marc. I have to spend some time around here - this is close to where I grew up and I never even knew it existed ! Thanks for showing what can be found around there...... it is inspiring me to go there soon.
Hey Marc,
Cool comp, but the mountain seems too hot and a smidgeon too pink for my tastes. I'd work on toning it down if it were mine, but I'm sure you already know this. Thanks for Showing the terrain...
Marc,
I will go against the grain and say I like it as is. I feel like the color on the mountains helps pull my eyes throught the image. The tones get more intense has you go from the foreground to the background. Very cool!
Posted by Ned Fenimore on April 2, 2006 at 11:27 PM
I like it a lot, Marc.. in fact I Luv that stream... thanks for giving us a view of the Steens - a place I hope to visit someday...
I like it Marc, but agree with above re: the mountains being too hot. It just seems a little unnatural to me. Not that I wouldn't be super proud to have taken this
Kevin
Posted by Marc Adamus on April 3, 2006 at 10:40 AM
Let me remind everyone that the mountain color is strait out-of-camera with no saturation added afterward or in-camera. I don't understant "too hot" comments, as the tone of the snow is exposed correctly and accurately IMO. If anything, there are a few water spots too hot. Usually I understand the critiques better. I'm just not seeing it here.
Posted by Marc Adamus on April 3, 2006 at 11:49 AM
I'm not saying that John. Certainly the strong grads controled the light and probably altered the color in some way, but it's impossible to know how significantly. I felt it was a fairly accurate rendition which if anything, was a little too vibrant on the sky blues above. Primarily I don't understand the "Hot" comments, as I felt the exposure was without blown colors or tones.
Posted by Marc Adamus on April 3, 2006 at 11:53 AM
See if you like this one any better. It was desaturated selectively up to -25 from the in-camera capture.
Posted by Marc Adamus on April 3, 2006 at 12:17 PM
I wish I could let you guys view the original capture - the thing is Velvia-esque. Incredibly vibrant, unlike colors I would usually obtain in-camera from the 5D. Therefore, I would suspect the heavy graduation was to blame if you feel it was unnaturally saturated.
I wish I could've been there with ya, too! The too hot (oversaturated) comment I think stems from the way we all have gotten used to the Velvia or HDR like pictures so that we're all now pretty sensitive to anything that now looks like a PS job. We know from your past work you aren't the kind of photog to do that - you're true to your film photography upbringing. At first glance, especially in comparison to your other shots, it seemed out of balance for me despite the massive GND used. But what the heck do I know? It's your art, and if you feel this is the way it should be, so be it.
It's a beauty of a shot, despite the "controversy."
Discussion
13 replies5D, 17-40, 2-stop hard and 3-stop soft GND, ISO 50, 1/2 second at F16.
I have heard a lot of good things about the Steens area. Did you enjoy your time down there? What other subject matter is in the area? About how far is it from Portland area?
Cool comp, but the mountain seems too hot and a smidgeon too pink for my tastes. I'd work on toning it down if it were mine, but I'm sure you already know this. Thanks for Showing the terrain...
I will go against the grain and say I like it as is. I feel like the color on the mountains helps pull my eyes throught the image. The tones get more intense has you go from the foreground to the background. Very cool!
Kevin
I wish I could've been there with ya, too! The too hot (oversaturated) comment I think stems from the way we all have gotten used to the Velvia or HDR like pictures so that we're all now pretty sensitive to anything that now looks like a PS job. We know from your past work you aren't the kind of photog to do that - you're true to your film photography upbringing. At first glance, especially in comparison to your other shots, it seemed out of balance for me despite the massive GND used. But what the heck do I know? It's your art, and if you feel this is the way it should be, so be it.
It's a beauty of a shot, despite the "controversy."
Kevin