Posted by Lance Burch on July 11, 2012 at 10:52 PM
Was up in Aspen the first part of 4th of July week and had a chance to sneak away one morning before the kids woke up for a little non-baby photography.
I know this has been done maybe once before, but this was my first time there since I got into photography.
CC welcome, especially on the processing. I was worried it was looking a little electric. I didn't take a lot of time on site selection because I only had about a 2 hour window including drive time. This was one of the underexposed images and I pulled the shadows out. In my others I lose too much color in the sky.
Classic view well captured. I could see just a bit more contrast on the sunlit peaks (and their reflection), but that's a personal view.
Otherwise, the 'development' is nearly flawless.
Definitely one to be proud of! Wonderful conditions , albeit no clouds, but then some like the clear sky look! Processing is very, very good.
Posted by Todd Caudle on July 13, 2012 at 12:57 PM
That's a sweet shot, Lance. I'd probably coax the reddish hue of the bells to a less red, more yellow hue -- only slightly! -- but this proves very well that you don't have to shoot this scene the first week of October to get beautiful shots. AND, you probably had the place almost to yourself.
A classic comp that definitely works! I do think the processing is just a tad funny, though. The peaks have just a slightly "painted" look, the colors there seem a little too smooth and bland. I'd revisit your processing in that area and see if some layer's causing that effect, or otherwise try and bring out a little more contrast. And I agree about the reflection. Oddly, the reflection of the trees is darker and natural looking, but the peaks' reflection is a little bright. In fact, the trees generally look perfect, with lots of detail, but the peaks seem a tad overcooked somehow.
I definitely sympathize! I've been working on some similar blue-sky, sun-and-shade images, and they're a real pain to get just right.
Nice classic view of the Bells. I agree about trying to bring out some more contrast in the peaks, but otherwise your processing looks good. I never tire of seeing those peaks there is just something strikingly majestic about their profile.
Discussion
7 repliesI know this has been done maybe once before, but this was my first time there since I got into photography.
CC welcome, especially on the processing. I was worried it was looking a little electric. I didn't take a lot of time on site selection because I only had about a 2 hour window including drive time. This was one of the underexposed images and I pulled the shadows out. In my others I lose too much color in the sky.
Otherwise, the 'development' is nearly flawless.
I definitely sympathize! I've been working on some similar blue-sky, sun-and-shade images, and they're a real pain to get just right.