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Forums · PNWNP

Westward to Valhalla

Discussion

11 replies
Posted by Mike Stovall on May 16, 2006 at 5:35 PM
On the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, a path meanders through fields of balsamroot towards the distant blue hills of the coast range. I was the last person left on the mountain Saturday evening and the only one there to view this amazing display of nature at sunset.

I've been able to get some dramatic diffraction effects when including the Sun in the frame before, but for some reason even my shots at F/22 were not creating the effect. Since I still don't have a set of grads, this is two exposures blended across a straight line just below the top of the distant hills.

This is my first real photo outing since Autumn and it feels good to get back into it!

20D, 17-40, USM, "Auto Levels"
Posted by Ned Fenimore on May 16, 2006 at 5:51 PM
Talk about sweet light and composition! I'd only ask for a little more of the tree on the left - that's all..

:toast:
Posted by Tomas Kaspar on May 16, 2006 at 6:06 PM
Beautiful image. Like it as is.
Posted by Harald Rust on May 16, 2006 at 7:29 PM
Beautiful image and colors. I enjoy the different layers and the way it makes one feel as if one is standing on the trail and gazing into the distance. About the sun diffraction effects you mentioned, I assume you mean the sun star pattern. In my experience, the sun would have to be even a little lower in the horizon, almost descending behind the mountains. But then in that case there would have been less light for the foreground exposure. Personally I like this image as it is.
Harald
Posted by Mark Hudon on May 16, 2006 at 7:59 PM
Jeez, Mike, I'm all over it!
Posted by Mike Stovall on May 16, 2006 at 9:04 PM
Thanks, all for the comments. Ned, that's a good idea. It would have created some nice symmetry to have half a tree bordering each side of the frame. If I go to reshoot in this area, I'll keep it in mind.

My brother and I were joking around that the sun kind of looks like a nuclear blast over the hills...:biggrin: (Look at the shape of it)

I can't wait to print this wallpaper size!
Posted by Mark Hudon on May 16, 2006 at 9:16 PM
Hey! I know where you can get it printed to wallpaper size! Email me!
Posted by Rick Lundh on May 16, 2006 at 9:28 PM
Mike...this is fricken sweet man! :toast:
Posted by AJ Montgomery on May 16, 2006 at 11:28 PM
Stunning! Super color and what a scene. I bet the sight was even better than the photo does in conveying it. Very nice.
Posted by Ryan DesJardins on May 17, 2006 at 12:44 AM
I love it! No problems from my perspective at all.
Posted by Mike Stovall on May 17, 2006 at 2:20 AM
Again, thanks to everybody for taking the time to comment. By the way, this is up on Dog Mountain. It's a splendid hike with or without a camera.
Cheers,
Mike
Posted by Zack Schnepf on May 18, 2006 at 12:46 PM
This is awesome Mike, well done man.