Ok, I'll never give up...still waiting for that elusive fluffy cloud-ridden sky for a sunrise at Dream Lake. My original plan was a hike up to Sky Pond for a sunrise, but when I got to the Glacier Gorge parking area I wanted to take a nap. I guess a 2:15 wake up call will do that. I noticed stratus clouds above Hallet Peak so I began to entertain the idea that this may be the day to shoot Dream Lake. So I went...again.
Didn't work out... again. Clouds blew away a half hr before sunrise.
So, I'm posting to find out if this image has merit even without clouds. I'm interested in a summer Dream Lake image to add to my website.
It's a two 24mm image vertical stitch. The top half is a two image blend. The bottom half is a single image. I used a 4 stop ND filter to take advantage of the breezy morning and render the lake silky smooth. What I like best about this image is the lack of distortion. With the wide perspective, I’m really feeling connected to the clean, distortion less look.
Given the ease of a Dream Lake photo and the iconic view, is this good, or should I dump it. Currently, I feel it’s good enough for now, but I need to keep trying. I’m asking for honest feedback.
Posted by Jack Garrett on August 23, 2011 at 10:16 PM
I like it Kane...however...it does seem to be the typical Dream Lake shot I've seen so many times before. I agree with you that if you can nail it with some neat pink sunrise clouds you would have the perfect image. I do like the silkiness of the water and the way you are able to see below the surface...technically everything is spot on!
Kane, I also have struck out on trying to get some clouds above the peaks, but it makes for a good excuse to go back.
That said, I do enjoy your shot. I like the long shutter effect you have on the lake surface, yet you can still see the rocks down into the water. The alpenglow is nice too.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on August 23, 2011 at 10:25 PM
As Jack said, it is technically very good. I really like the color on the water and the silky surface with your long exposure, so it does go beyond the typical cloudless sunrise shot.
If it were my image, I'd crop a little off the bottom, and make it an almost square composition. For me the interest doesn't start until the first rock above water.
Posted by Dan Walters on August 23, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Very nice! Like the color of the water as compared to the warm light on the mountain.
Posted by John Mumaw on August 23, 2011 at 11:15 PM
Bill's observations reflect my own exactly, so I can't add anymore to what he said.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on August 23, 2011 at 11:16 PM
I like what the long exposure did to the reflection, and agree with Bill's crop recommendation.
Still a very nice shot Kane. I'm loving that foreground, being abel to see into the water and the texture on the rocks. Great.
Posted by Art Escobado on August 23, 2011 at 11:53 PM
Keep it till you get the one you're looking for...it's portfolio worthy as a space holder easily. And the long exposure mixes things up enough to keep it more interesting than a shorter exposure shot.
Posted by Howard Cihak on August 24, 2011 at 3:10 AM
Kane, I think it's a very beautiful image. Personally, I wouldn't crop it. Yeah, clouds would've been nicer, but what you have is quite beautiful in itself.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on August 24, 2011 at 10:29 AM
The dream shot of Dream Lake is the one by Joseph Rossbach (I think) with the clouds and a bull elk, in my opinion that one will be tough to top, but honestly I would be very happy with this. I know the feeling you have when you said, "I feel it's good enough for now, but I need to keep trying", that's pretty much how I feel all the time in my quest for the so called perfect image.
I agree with others, your capture of the water sets this apart from most images I've seen of the place. I wouldn't crop, I like the depth that bottom piece of water gives, and it's nice to have the naturally darker tone at the bottom of the frame. Definitely worth keeping until you feel you've improved on it.
Nice one man. It seems like the blue skies bug at Dream Lake is affecting us both. =)
Posted by Paul Martin on August 24, 2011 at 5:14 PM
I like it as well -- and for the record I wouldn't crop. I actually like the subtlety of the submerged rocks as a lead in. Definitely a keeper until you can get that "dream" image.
Posted by Anne K. Rusk on August 24, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Kane, I really like this because it isn't the typical wide angle shot (meaning I like the lack of distortion). I could go either way on the crop. Excellent image!
Discussion
15 repliesDidn't work out... again. Clouds blew away a half hr before sunrise.
So, I'm posting to find out if this image has merit even without clouds. I'm interested in a summer Dream Lake image to add to my website.
It's a two 24mm image vertical stitch. The top half is a two image blend. The bottom half is a single image. I used a 4 stop ND filter to take advantage of the breezy morning and render the lake silky smooth. What I like best about this image is the lack of distortion. With the wide perspective, I’m really feeling connected to the clean, distortion less look.
Given the ease of a Dream Lake photo and the iconic view, is this good, or should I dump it. Currently, I feel it’s good enough for now, but I need to keep trying. I’m asking for honest feedback.
That said, I do enjoy your shot. I like the long shutter effect you have on the lake surface, yet you can still see the rocks down into the water. The alpenglow is nice too.
If it were my image, I'd crop a little off the bottom, and make it an almost square composition. For me the interest doesn't start until the first rock above water.