Well, it has been quite a while since I've posted an image on RMNP. Part of that is no longer living in CO; the other part is that it's been eons since I've been out shooting. I remedied the latter this past week with a long overdue trip through Idaho.
Photography took a back seat to exploration, but a glorious day in the Lost Rivers compelled me to pull out the camera. With apologies for some seriously rusty processing skills, I wanted to share this view of the Lost River Range. It's definitely a sunrise location, but with bald blue morning skies, this early evening shot was the one that I thought best reflected these impressive peaks. This also happened to be the view from our camp site.
One other highlight - maybe even surpassing an afternoon in this location - was crossing paths with a wolf hunting along a creek as we made our way from Stanley to Challis. He was about 15-20 yards away and didn't run when he heard us - just turned and stared for a while, then confidently turned and worked his way up the hillside. Pretty cool.
Even without seeing a sunrise shot from here, I think this probably works even better, Rick. It has a beautiful, evening-in-the-mountains feel that I really like and don't often even think to capture on camera.
This is a splendid scene, Rick, and well captured. If that's your rusty processing I would love to see your best - it looks very natural and vibrant. I like the composition a lot and I'm glad to see a new location.
Outstanding, Rick. I wish my fresh skills were as good as your rusty ones. This is the perfect light for the scene and it compels me to want to sit in a camp chair and watch the clouds float by. Great to see a new image from you.
Thanks, everyone. I think my frustration with the processing - other than it taking me 10 minutes to figure out where the histogram palette moved to... - was trying in vain to eliminate a blue cast and still have the scene look natural. After fussing with it way too long, it occurred to me that given the time of day and blue sky overhead, things should look a little cooler than they do during the golden hour which is when most of my shooting is done. So I settled for toning down the cast instead of eliminating it altogether. And since the critical eyes here have given it the okay, I just need to let my eyes and brain calibrate to the natural coolness of the scene.
This is a superb composition, Rick!
Every single element in the image is beautiful and together they fit perfectly for a complete and visually satisfying whole.
Your 'development' of the scene is pitch perfect, too.
Love the view from the chairs in #2.
Welcome back Rick and thanks for posting some shots from perhaps our most under-represented state of Idaho! There are some ridiculously beautiful places there that have long been on my list of areas to visit. Your post just makes me want to go even more. Your campsite looks idyllic and the photos aren't bad either. Love the kiss of light on the peaks and the rolling foreground hills of the first image.
Discussion
11 repliesPhotography took a back seat to exploration, but a glorious day in the Lost Rivers compelled me to pull out the camera. With apologies for some seriously rusty processing skills, I wanted to share this view of the Lost River Range. It's definitely a sunrise location, but with bald blue morning skies, this early evening shot was the one that I thought best reflected these impressive peaks. This also happened to be the view from our camp site.
One other highlight - maybe even surpassing an afternoon in this location - was crossing paths with a wolf hunting along a creek as we made our way from Stanley to Challis. He was about 15-20 yards away and didn't run when he heard us - just turned and stared for a while, then confidently turned and worked his way up the hillside. Pretty cool.
Larger view available.
And for Bret, great minds think alike!
Every single element in the image is beautiful and together they fit perfectly for a complete and visually satisfying whole.
Your 'development' of the scene is pitch perfect, too.
Love the view from the chairs in #2.