Unconventional to say the least. I hope you like both perspectives. Comments and Critique welcome as always. An obvious blend, just need some different eyes to verify if there's any halo issues.
After shooting a nice sunrise at Maroon Lake with Jack Garrett, Jason Hatfield and Dan Grall, I zipped over to the log dam at the far east side of the lake and shot the first image. No need to make room with anybody, considering not one of the 100+ shooters had ventured out to this spot. I was really impressed with the logs under the water and the color of the immediate slope on the left. After shooting this scene, I had a good feeling about it and thought this one may turn out to be my best of the morning.
After everyone went back into town, I was going to meet them at the Peter Lik gallery, but then I spotted a very red aspen stand about 1000-ft up on the slopes of Sievers Mountain. I've been up there before and new the view of the Bells from about anywhere on that slope is special. So I pulled over and bushwhacked up the steep slope.
Cool set, Kane! #1 is beautiful, everything looks perfect to me (although i would have shot this one at sunrise--forget the standard comp, leave it for the masses). #2 is the definite winner for me, this is the kind of shot i think people can relate to, great comp, framing, typical conditions, and it screams 'Aspen Fall'. I like the idea in 3, but it seems overly 'subdued' to me--with the tough DR here im not sure what would work but it might help brightening the sky.
Posted by Bob Falcone on October 2, 2011 at 2:32 PM
Wonderful group of images, Kane! I have a very similar comp of the first one from a few years back. I also loved those logs under the water. The blend looks great to me. I am also enjoying the different view of the Bells and back down the valley of #2 and #3. Very nice color in all of them.
Posted by Jeremy Week on October 2, 2011 at 3:53 PM
Wonderful images Kane! I really like #1 and #3. I really like the comp in both of these and #3 is kinda moody. (a good thing)
Posted by Tom Stermitz on October 2, 2011 at 6:36 PM
#1 is so much more original than the classic pose. I would like it better with some adjustments to the perspective. The pine trees make the mountain a bit insignificant. I'm guessing you used a 24mm? Maybe a 50% larger lens and back up a little?
#2 is great; maybe pop the reds and greens a little (saturate and darken in ACR or Photoshop)? The perspective works great here because the red trees make a nice frame, and the emphasis on the bells is more appropriate.
Posted by Art Escobado on October 2, 2011 at 6:43 PM
Another wider view for #2. I'm thinking about printing big with these 21mp, two image stitch shots. For printing big, which is better in your opinion. The wider view or the zoomed in view.
I agree that number 2 is really quite stunning. And I actually like #3 quite a lot. The sunburst is a nice effect.
Posted by Tom Stermitz on October 2, 2011 at 9:48 PM
In my opinion, the horizontal #2 is better than the vertical.
Posted by John Mumaw on October 2, 2011 at 11:24 PM
I agree with Tom, but it's a tough call.
The clarity and color of #1 are excellent, Kane! I also like the color of #3, but as Stan noted it is a bit subdued.
Kudos for finding some original compositions from this spot!
Posted by Howard Cihak on October 3, 2011 at 1:17 AM
What John and Stan said, Kane. As beautiful as the Bells are, it's tiring looking ta the same comps time after time. #1 really works for me for that reason, and it's truly beautiful image in its own right to boot.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on October 3, 2011 at 1:46 AM
I think #2 is the winner of this set. #1 is a nice perspective and beautiful image. I think a slight saturation boost in the foreground of #2 would help but you don't want to take anything away from the clarity of the leaves. Nice shot.
Posted by Joshua Hardin on October 3, 2011 at 12:22 PM
#1 is pretty cool, but #2 is even more unique. Count me as another vote for the horizontal version. The closer zoom would make the superior print I think, mainly because there's not much going on in the lower right on the vertical.
Discussion
18 repliesAfter shooting a nice sunrise at Maroon Lake with Jack Garrett, Jason Hatfield and Dan Grall, I zipped over to the log dam at the far east side of the lake and shot the first image. No need to make room with anybody, considering not one of the 100+ shooters had ventured out to this spot. I was really impressed with the logs under the water and the color of the immediate slope on the left. After shooting this scene, I had a good feeling about it and thought this one may turn out to be my best of the morning.
#2 is great; maybe pop the reds and greens a little (saturate and darken in ACR or Photoshop)? The perspective works great here because the red trees make a nice frame, and the emphasis on the bells is more appropriate.
The clarity and color of #1 are excellent, Kane! I also like the color of #3, but as Stan noted it is a bit subdued.
Kudos for finding some original compositions from this spot!