Beckwith Sunset -Repost

I guess I never get tired of fall color shots. This was a simply marvelous evening taken off the Kebler Pass Rd.

Nice shot Ken! A familiar almost Iconic view with almost Peak color. Peak color isn't necessary with fall color shots, especially when you take advantage of the peak color foreground scrub oak. Typically the Colorado Scrub Oak will peak about a week before the aspens peak. I relied on this technique almost everyday the last week of September. I hung out in the brilliant scrub oak, then like you, used it to provide about half my frame to convey the awesome reds of fall color; then relied on greens and yellows to fill in the rest of the frame. Actually, there's a few out there that would consider this a Peak Fall color shot, 30% reds, 30 yellows, and about 40% greens.

The following is Preference Critique, meaning, if you like it the way it is, you're the artist! The sky seems too Cyan or too Cool with White Balance. The super cold/cyan sky reflection on the snowy Beckwiths, renders the snow just as cyan. I feel like this is a whitebalance thing, not a Selective color thing. Meaning, if I reworked this one I would start completely over and use a warmer white balance and build the image from there.

I'm always going to the Kebler Pass area in June, we should hook up!

Kane,I do see your point in regards to the snow being somewhat cyan. But I'm not seeing in as much in the sky. No doubt though before I would print this image I will play around with the color balance. And, yes, I did consciously want the snow to display the feeling of cold, but not Siberia!
Have to say this was one of the first fall seasons I focused on oak brush. Maybe I'm getting yellow fatigue. But the layers of various colors are so impressive.
Glad to hear you enjoy the Kebler area. The Kebler area is now always a stopping point on each summer and fall photo safari. Haven't been there in June..are you trying to get there prior to the cows stomping on the ferns?

Beautiful shot, Ken. I do agree with Kane about the cyan tinge.

It's a little cyan, but im ok with it, my only nit is it looks a tiny bit tilted. Love the scene though!

Yep, reducing the cyan certainly helped this web image.

Ken, the repost looks better to me. I wonder if reducing the blue in just the snowy peaks would help also. Was there a cloud to the right that was blocking the sun onto the peaks, or was this their back/shaded side? The light tripping across the aspens and oaks shows their colors nicely.

Doug,
Yes, you are correct in your assumption that a cloud bank was partially blocking the mountains. No doubt I will be playing with the blue cast on the snow more if I decide to print this one. That said, my intent is still to maintain a "cool" feeling of the snow on the mountains combined with the warmth of the light on the vegetation. I do have to say that I'm still learning how to manipulate color and brightness for displaying properly on this forum.