Posted by Kane Engelbert on September 10, 2012 at 11:45 PM
I’m feeling the Gore Mountains these days. Boy do I love reliving old memories! I know the Gores ring with rugged peaks, beautiful tundra and swift streams of life, so why not head to what I know works.
Let alone try something different?
“Zodiac Ridge,” an unforgettable name, which originates from the stellar view from the Willow Lakes area. When a ridge of rock that connects two great mountains, gets its own name that usually means there’s gonna be something to look at…. Zodiac Ridge connects the great Red Peak to the equally great “East Thorne.” Both peaks show off an elite silhouette when descending the I-70 corridor from Eisenhower to Silverthorne. All of you have seen this view.
After the 7 mile approach I set up a tent at the upper Willow Lake area. I concentrated on the stream area in between the upper lake and the lower lake. I wanted to capture the oranges and reds of the beginning fall season at alpine elevations. When I arrived, I realized there where solid greens outlining the stream, which blended well with the reds and oranges. Combining all of the foreground with the Zodiac Ridge, made for a nice evening and morning of photography.
Here’s where I need critique. I’ve been working on controlling high dynamic range in my images with extreme hand blends. My few submitted images should give you an idea of what I’m talking about. So hit me with your thoughts about the blend…does the image flow well with your eyes?
I’m also working hard at creating a 3 dimensional look to images via focus stacks. I need to know if I’m including too much foreground?
BTW, "Ripples and Reflections" includes a lucky Cutthroat Trout stricking the water surface for dinner!
Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 11, 2012 at 12:29 AM
I really like the ripples coming from the bottom in Time to Reflect. I think it makes the image better than a purely smooth reflction. This may be my favorite image of the set.
In Ripples and Reflections, the rings from the rising trout allow you to add the foreground, and the rings add to the image as the ripples in the other image did.
With Hints of Fall, the sunlit area seems a little too hot/bright, and the foreground grass seems too saturated regarding the red tips. The spotlighting is cool.
Posted by Jack Brauer on September 11, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Hints of Fall is great!!! The processing looks really nice to me, and the scene really conveys that alpine autumn feeling. What a great job finding interesting light and creating a fascinating scene from a cloudless sky.
Ripples and Reflections looks a bit overcooked, HDR-ish. I think with that one you need to reintroduce a bit more contrast - make those blacks black. It might just be too much of a contrasty scene to begin with.
Posted by Dean Sauskojus on September 11, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Beautiful images Kane! What a gorgeous place. I think the advice above is spot on so really there is nothing much to add from me. Your foregrounds look great and the images are very cohesive. Nice work.
Posted by Tom Stermitz on September 11, 2012 at 5:27 PM
I like Ripples in terms of subject and dramatic effect, but the sky looks too saturated for my taste (I also have trouble restraining myself in these situations.)
And, the darker mountains and trees don't look quite right to my eyes. I also have this problem sometimes, where the darker areas are muddy and don't contribute the way they should. If you don't have sufficient texture, maybe you have to treat the areas as shapes for your composition?
The mountains and trees look better in "Hints of Fall".
Posted by Morris McClung on September 11, 2012 at 5:59 PM
I agree with Dean with his agreement of Doug and Jack on comments.
They did hit on the things that looked like they could use more work. And, I also like the comps, concept, and execution. You are covering that Gore Range thing really well!
Posted by Chikku Baiju on September 11, 2012 at 10:40 PM
Nice set of shots. My fav is the Time to reflect. The ripples in the foreground is excellent. Other than it I ditto Dougs suggestions.
Posted by Peter Coskun on September 12, 2012 at 12:35 AM
What a great set of images. Hard to choose a favorite, but like the others, ripples and reflections has a nice quality to it with the movement of the water. This really makes me want to get to CO sometime soon.
Posted by Ken Henke on September 12, 2012 at 7:04 PM
Your processing efforts are really paying off on these images. The clarity is something that really stood out for me. And yes the blending giving the 3-D effect is fantastic. Have you tried HDR software to blend? I realize some folks on this forum don't perfer HDR, but if done minimally, it makes up for camera deficiencies when it comes to dynamic range. I am not suggesting it would necessarily be better, but might save some time? And, HDR software does not work well for images with much movement in them, either.
Posted by John Mumaw on September 12, 2012 at 7:45 PM
This is an excellent series of images, Kane! I'm not seeing much of what the others see, though.
'Hints of Fall' is really special with the spotlight effect you captured. What a lucky moment! The lit meadow does appear a tad bright, but I wonder if it's in relation to the eye seeing it and subconsciously comparing it to the more shaded areas, as it's certainly not overly bright. It appears brighter against a black background, as well.
And I'm not seeing any HDR type nonsense whatsoever with 'R&R'. Sure it's a contrasty scene, but your 'development' of it is just about perfect. I tried and tried to see what my eye would not out in the field, and I simply couldn't do it. I don't see the sky as too blue, but perhaps a bit less would be an asset
Love the circular ripple! This wouldn't have worked near as well without it.
I think that your hand rolled blending is superb! It may have been a bit tedious, but if you're like me, it's a pure labor of love and art (Love Art Blues?). Same with the focal blending. The foreground in 'Hints..' and 'Ripples..' is just right, esp. 'Ripples..'
I almost wish I could have found something to nitpick, but I just could not. Your efforts in the field and in the 'darkroom' with all of these paid off well.
Posted by Paul Martin on September 12, 2012 at 9:02 PM
Beautiful series of images, Kane! The Gores have been on my short list for awhile and these really show why it should be a destination. The processing style is, well, your own style and while I can't say I would develop these the same way I can't see any fault in your style. I think they display exactly the moods and feeling that were were looking to show off.
Posted by Kane Engelbert on September 13, 2012 at 9:23 PM
Some excellent feedback. I'm going to take the recommendations of a few awesome photographers and add a bit of contrast to the mountains in Ripples & Reflections, and take down the highlights in my Hints of Fall image.
Thanks!
Posted by Jon LaBass on September 14, 2012 at 1:05 PM
Those are very nice, Kane, and a wonderful are to shoot! I really like the light in "Hints of Fall" - well done on that one!
Beautiful work, Kane. I can tell you're pushing in a new direction, and it's impressive. The net result is a "look" that's similar to velvia on 4x5, and I mean that in a good way. Also good to see work that's not stereotypical "golden hour", but trying to use a broader variety of light. Well done.
Discussion
13 repliesLet alone try something different?
“Zodiac Ridge,” an unforgettable name, which originates from the stellar view from the Willow Lakes area. When a ridge of rock that connects two great mountains, gets its own name that usually means there’s gonna be something to look at…. Zodiac Ridge connects the great Red Peak to the equally great “East Thorne.” Both peaks show off an elite silhouette when descending the I-70 corridor from Eisenhower to Silverthorne. All of you have seen this view.
After the 7 mile approach I set up a tent at the upper Willow Lake area. I concentrated on the stream area in between the upper lake and the lower lake. I wanted to capture the oranges and reds of the beginning fall season at alpine elevations. When I arrived, I realized there where solid greens outlining the stream, which blended well with the reds and oranges. Combining all of the foreground with the Zodiac Ridge, made for a nice evening and morning of photography.
Here’s where I need critique. I’ve been working on controlling high dynamic range in my images with extreme hand blends. My few submitted images should give you an idea of what I’m talking about. So hit me with your thoughts about the blend…does the image flow well with your eyes?
I’m also working hard at creating a 3 dimensional look to images via focus stacks. I need to know if I’m including too much foreground?
BTW, "Ripples and Reflections" includes a lucky Cutthroat Trout stricking the water surface for dinner!
http://www.kaephotography.com/gallery/zodiac/
In Ripples and Reflections, the rings from the rising trout allow you to add the foreground, and the rings add to the image as the ripples in the other image did.
With Hints of Fall, the sunlit area seems a little too hot/bright, and the foreground grass seems too saturated regarding the red tips. The spotlighting is cool.
Ripples and Reflections looks a bit overcooked, HDR-ish. I think with that one you need to reintroduce a bit more contrast - make those blacks black. It might just be too much of a contrasty scene to begin with.
And, the darker mountains and trees don't look quite right to my eyes. I also have this problem sometimes, where the darker areas are muddy and don't contribute the way they should. If you don't have sufficient texture, maybe you have to treat the areas as shapes for your composition?
The mountains and trees look better in "Hints of Fall".
They did hit on the things that looked like they could use more work. And, I also like the comps, concept, and execution. You are covering that Gore Range thing really well!
'Hints of Fall' is really special with the spotlight effect you captured. What a lucky moment! The lit meadow does appear a tad bright, but I wonder if it's in relation to the eye seeing it and subconsciously comparing it to the more shaded areas, as it's certainly not overly bright. It appears brighter against a black background, as well.
And I'm not seeing any HDR type nonsense whatsoever with 'R&R'. Sure it's a contrasty scene, but your 'development' of it is just about perfect. I tried and tried to see what my eye would not out in the field, and I simply couldn't do it. I don't see the sky as too blue, but perhaps a bit less would be an asset
Love the circular ripple! This wouldn't have worked near as well without it.
I think that your hand rolled blending is superb! It may have been a bit tedious, but if you're like me, it's a pure labor of love and art (Love Art Blues?). Same with the focal blending. The foreground in 'Hints..' and 'Ripples..' is just right, esp. 'Ripples..'
I almost wish I could have found something to nitpick, but I just could not. Your efforts in the field and in the 'darkroom' with all of these paid off well.
Thanks!