Ah yes, the "Zen Pools." Since last Aug I have been dreaming of going back to see this idealistic landscape in full wildflower bloom. It did not dissapoint. The following attached image is my first of a few lovely images to come in the next few weeks. This image depicts a nice alpine scene, lacking the awesome foreground Zen Pools.
Comments and critique welcome. Is this image too dark?
Three image vertical stitch. top image shot at f8, middle and bottom at f16. All images exposure blended. 12mm equivalent with little, if any distortion. Processed to pull you into the DOF. Hope you like it!
The Details......
My long time climbing partner Jim asked me yesterday if I finally got a chance to get back into the Gore Mountains. He and I climbed every 13,000-ft peak in that range so hes very familiar with the lay of the land. And even more familiar with the "Class 5 Bushwhacks" the remote east side of the mountain range is famous for.
Here's my response...Forgive all the sentence fragments...
Yes, I went into the Gores Monday and came out Tuesday. I planned to be in there two days but couldn't handle the logistics of my plan. One night was best. Overall I made the right choice to leave a day early because I got some good shots that night and the following morning... and may have saved my life. I went back to the Zen Pools. The most beautiful alpine scenery in Colorado. 19 rt mile 4000-ft backpack trip that starts 20-ft from hwy 9. 6 miles and 1600-ft of it off trail and easily the most brutal bushwhack in all my life and I've done it twice now so I'm sure of that claim. The last three miles took me 4.5 hrs! The mosquito's were ravenous, like nothing I have ever experienced. 50 -100 of swarming my face and body from 1:00pm on Monday to when I went to sleep. When I woke up at 5:30 am Tuesday the bastards were back until I got out of the drainage at 1:00pm. I had trouble eating my Ramen Noodles because I had to pick out the mosquitoes. Its funny, they sleep when you sleep, otherwise they swarm your face. I wished I had a mosquito net. I used 100% Deet. Anything less is downright laughable. Not a human I know could handle a day in there without 100% military grade Deet. Applied it to every inch of my body every other hr.
My pack seemed heavy, so I suppose I am out of shape or getting old. But hey I made it regardless if I threw up when I got there! Regardless if I was dizzy most of my time there because I couldn't eat.
Got some great shots and frankly just got lucky with the high cirrus clouds in the morning that lit up in perfect timing in the most beautiful place I know.
Hiked out in the sweltering heat, drank from the main creek which makes me nervous for Girardia. On the drive home had to pull off I 70 to relieve massive body cramping. Never felt pain like that, thought I needed an ambulance. Made it home last night still cramping. I had to eat and drink all night to keep from cramping.
I feel good today!
Was it worth it? Sure, will I ever go back? Nope. I've been battling this topic for the past 48 hrs. It's downright amazing to think that of all the places you and I have experienced, the most stunning, photogenic of all summits or other like alpine scenery is just too dangerous to get to. Its just not a place to get hurt, and at the same time, its just not a place to bring someone else into. I know you would have been a good partner, but you may have never forgiven me afterwards. Quite frankly you are the only one I would consider going back with. I'veother ice people email me in the past asking me to take them up in there but that aint never going to happen. I can't take on the responsibility. Just to dangerous.
Posted by Fred Weymouth on July 25, 2013 at 12:17 PM
Nice job, Kane.I like the composition and the overall scene you captured. It does seem a little dark to me, however. Sounds like an epic, for sure.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on July 25, 2013 at 12:33 PM
Gorgeous scene! Overall, a bit dark with my monitor settings, but it does enhance the beautiful backlighting on the flowers.
I sure hope you are able to avoid a bout with Giardia.
Glad you made it back! Although, I'm not sure why with the toll it takes on you.
I've got to go along with Fred and Bill about it being too dark. The colors in the flowers really pop, and I like that hint of the glass like reflection on the pond.
You might try to add some red to the sky as it looks a little too cyan maybe. Or maybe just a touch too much sat? If you have Viveza 2 you might bring that up and try to pull some more structure out of the clouds as well.
Gorgeous image, and only you can say whether it was worth the effort.
Some of my most memorable shots are those that took a struggle to get to. You have a story that you will be able to tell to your grand kids hopefully someday. I use to carry all my 4x5 equipment into the back country with similar experiences. It all came to an end because I destroyed my feet in the process. When we are young we think we are indestructible or at least I did. If I had to do it all over again I probably do the same thing. We didn't have digital back then and calendar companies wanted large 4x5 trannies. Struggling physically, you either become bitter or better. I chose to become better. Was it all worth it? I would say a resounding YES! I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything, just a lighter load on my back. Count your blessing with digital and just be careful out there.
Love the shot Kane! I would probably bring the blacks up a bit but I also know this is more your style. Beautiful balance, beautiful wildflowers, a photographers dream. Fantastic!
Nice shot Kane. It might be a pinch dark, but not overly so. I'd bring it up a hair in the foreground to mountains and call it good. Beautiful comp. That area is something I've wanted to do, but then I read your tales of going there and quickly talk myself out of it. I know I'm not in the shape needed to attempt a hike like that.
Clearly an epic trip that was rewarded with a gorgeous shot like this. Although I can understand some of the comments related to lightening up the image, on my ipad, it provides a realistic feel for the time of day it was shot. Its simply stunning on a retina display.
I think (and hope) that this and the following images were well worth all of your effort. A wonderful landscape that few see and you captured it as well as could be done, I believe. I just love this image! Especially the flowers, the rocks that great sky and the 'v' reflection in the waters. Too dark? Well, I'm with Ken on that one. This looks extremely realistic and I'm growing quite fond of that in this day and age. It's right on the cusp of being too dark, but anything more than just a pinch of lightening will make this a different image. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of your work from this place!
Posted by Doug Beezley on July 26, 2013 at 12:02 AM
The image does appear a bit too dark as displayed on this site. However, go to Kane's website and view this image and it is literally "perfect". Perhaps it looks better on his site because the background is black or perhaps there are just different display characteristics. The image is named "Graceful Alpine Morning" and is found in Kane's "Streams and Lakes" gallery. It is also found under the "What's New" category. It is sublime and more than memorable.
John, I'm working the mid tones now on my images. I feel comfortable with the highs and lows, which I think is the toughest part...
I submitted a new image to the landscape page, love to know what you and others think.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on July 26, 2013 at 9:38 AM
The trek sounds tortuous, but good to hear you recovered. Cramps- yukk.
I am also in the camp that it seems a little dark. Maybe bring up the shadows 2-3%. You might also try darkening the sky only about 2% and see it that helps with a perceived darkness due to the contrast in brightness between sky and land.
Looks good to me, Kane!
I was seriously considering running up there, so glad you told me about the skiters cause i hate those bastards. Maybe ill go in Winter...
I'm glad that Doug B. mentioned a darker background at your site because he is absolutely right. I wish NPN/RMNP would start using a darker background, as bright white rarely shows images at their best.
Discussion
12 repliesComments and critique welcome. Is this image too dark?
Three image vertical stitch. top image shot at f8, middle and bottom at f16. All images exposure blended. 12mm equivalent with little, if any distortion. Processed to pull you into the DOF. Hope you like it!
The Details......
My long time climbing partner Jim asked me yesterday if I finally got a chance to get back into the Gore Mountains. He and I climbed every 13,000-ft peak in that range so hes very familiar with the lay of the land. And even more familiar with the "Class 5 Bushwhacks" the remote east side of the mountain range is famous for.
Here's my response...Forgive all the sentence fragments...
Yes, I went into the Gores Monday and came out Tuesday. I planned to be in there two days but couldn't handle the logistics of my plan. One night was best. Overall I made the right choice to leave a day early because I got some good shots that night and the following morning... and may have saved my life. I went back to the Zen Pools. The most beautiful alpine scenery in Colorado. 19 rt mile 4000-ft backpack trip that starts 20-ft from hwy 9. 6 miles and 1600-ft of it off trail and easily the most brutal bushwhack in all my life and I've done it twice now so I'm sure of that claim. The last three miles took me 4.5 hrs! The mosquito's were ravenous, like nothing I have ever experienced. 50 -100 of swarming my face and body from 1:00pm on Monday to when I went to sleep. When I woke up at 5:30 am Tuesday the bastards were back until I got out of the drainage at 1:00pm. I had trouble eating my Ramen Noodles because I had to pick out the mosquitoes. Its funny, they sleep when you sleep, otherwise they swarm your face. I wished I had a mosquito net. I used 100% Deet. Anything less is downright laughable. Not a human I know could handle a day in there without 100% military grade Deet. Applied it to every inch of my body every other hr.
My pack seemed heavy, so I suppose I am out of shape or getting old. But hey I made it regardless if I threw up when I got there! Regardless if I was dizzy most of my time there because I couldn't eat.
Got some great shots and frankly just got lucky with the high cirrus clouds in the morning that lit up in perfect timing in the most beautiful place I know.
Hiked out in the sweltering heat, drank from the main creek which makes me nervous for Girardia. On the drive home had to pull off I 70 to relieve massive body cramping. Never felt pain like that, thought I needed an ambulance. Made it home last night still cramping. I had to eat and drink all night to keep from cramping.
I feel good today!
Was it worth it? Sure, will I ever go back? Nope. I've been battling this topic for the past 48 hrs. It's downright amazing to think that of all the places you and I have experienced, the most stunning, photogenic of all summits or other like alpine scenery is just too dangerous to get to. Its just not a place to get hurt, and at the same time, its just not a place to bring someone else into. I know you would have been a good partner, but you may have never forgiven me afterwards. Quite frankly you are the only one I would consider going back with. I'veother ice people email me in the past asking me to take them up in there but that aint never going to happen. I can't take on the responsibility. Just to dangerous.
I sure hope you are able to avoid a bout with Giardia.
I've got to go along with Fred and Bill about it being too dark. The colors in the flowers really pop, and I like that hint of the glass like reflection on the pond.
You might try to add some red to the sky as it looks a little too cyan maybe. Or maybe just a touch too much sat? If you have Viveza 2 you might bring that up and try to pull some more structure out of the clouds as well.
Gorgeous image, and only you can say whether it was worth the effort.
Love the shot Kane! I would probably bring the blacks up a bit but I also know this is more your style. Beautiful balance, beautiful wildflowers, a photographers dream. Fantastic!
Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA
I submitted a new image to the landscape page, love to know what you and others think.
I am also in the camp that it seems a little dark. Maybe bring up the shadows 2-3%. You might also try darkening the sky only about 2% and see it that helps with a perceived darkness due to the contrast in brightness between sky and land.
I was seriously considering running up there, so glad you told me about the skiters cause i hate those bastards. Maybe ill go in Winter...