Posted by Howard Cihak on February 3, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Living in the DC area, I don't get to spend much time in the West where my photographic heart really resides. Maybe someday ...
In the meantime, to respond to Morris' call, I dug into my archives to come up with this one. It was taken in the mid-morning, looking east from the Million Dollar Highway. This scene is very special to me. I set up the tripod and clicked off a few shots within minutes. Then I sat down on the berm beside the highway and spent close to an hour staring at this scene before I packed up my gear and drove on. Maybe it's not all that remarkable, but for some reason it touched my soul more deeply than almost any other landscape I've ever shot.
P.S. I'm not sure why, but the posted image is considerably softer than the source file. Anyone have an explanation?
Posted by John Mumaw on February 3, 2011 at 11:20 PM
This is really nice, Howard. Everything fits together real well here. In particular, the sparsely spaced trees in the fore/midground just before the main forest. Sorta wish all of the mountain on the left was shown. Not sure about softness...if anything, this appears to be somewhat oversharpened.
Yeah, I can see why you sat contemplating this scene for so long. It's not one you commonly see in the East, and it sure does look peaceful.
I did my first drive on the million dollar highway this summer with my wife. I could have stopped at a hundred different pullouts and had this experience. Thanks for reminding me of one of my best memories of last summer. And my the way, it's a beautiful shot.
Posted by Jack Garrett on February 4, 2011 at 12:51 AM
I love this image Howard..I've ben by that area several times and it is breathtaking!
Very nice composition, Howard and very cool to put the camera down and become part of the scene.
Posted by Lance Burch on February 4, 2011 at 1:08 PM
I agree with what John said about the trees in the foreground being more sparse. The image has a very nice layering to it. I need to get out to this area. Thanks for posting.
That is a pertinent and very relevant question, Howard. What is it about a landscape scene like this that connects to our core? It looks like a great place to spend an hour of one's life. I like the comp, but do agree with John that it is a bit tight on the left side of that mountain. It also looks a little oversharpened on my old monitor, too.
Thanks for posting!
Posted by John Mumaw on February 4, 2011 at 4:41 PM
Y'know, you could probably get away with calling this one 'Heart of Gold'.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on February 4, 2011 at 5:30 PM
Howard, I can really relate. It a majestic highway just begging for people to slow down and take a look. I spent some time photographing along the highway and couldn't believe all the people zooming by without a glance.
Posted by Rod Chandler on February 4, 2011 at 5:33 PM
Lovely image and a nice story to go with it.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on February 5, 2011 at 1:17 PM
It's a lovely scene, Howard. I do agree with John, but either way, it's a winner.
Discussion
10 repliesIn the meantime, to respond to Morris' call, I dug into my archives to come up with this one. It was taken in the mid-morning, looking east from the Million Dollar Highway. This scene is very special to me. I set up the tripod and clicked off a few shots within minutes. Then I sat down on the berm beside the highway and spent close to an hour staring at this scene before I packed up my gear and drove on. Maybe it's not all that remarkable, but for some reason it touched my soul more deeply than almost any other landscape I've ever shot.
P.S. I'm not sure why, but the posted image is considerably softer than the source file. Anyone have an explanation?
Yeah, I can see why you sat contemplating this scene for so long. It's not one you commonly see in the East, and it sure does look peaceful.
Thanks for posting!