Burning Softly(w/crop)

Amazing Zack
The light is absolutely stunning. I like this post as well
on the left frame, i feel these twigs are distracting a little bit

Waiting for the next gorgeous work :)

Here is a cropped version without the twigs on the left side. It is a bit cleaner overall.

Its gorgeous! I also wanted to mention the twigs on the left and than I saw the repost. It looks better.

This is gorgeous again. Stunning light. I would also crop a bit from the left since this twigs are distracting a little bit. So I'd prefer the second post. Otherwise a perfect shot.

very beautiful. the crop is an improvement. extremeyl pleasant to look at, although the momentum of surprise is a bit weakened by the fact it looks so similar to Marcs version of this scene.
this will make a great print.
georg

Outstanding Zack - pops right off the screen!

This is gorgeous, Zack! An absolutely stunning image.

Guy

Burning Softly is a fitting title indeed. I can't stop looking at this wonderful light show.

But I disagree with cropping the left side. First, the original inclusion of the trees served to keep the eye on the tree colors and not the background, which pales in comparison. Second, when I consider burning I think spreading, raging, and that the fire goes on and on. In this image, because it's so powerful I want to think, fire out of control.

The lighting is stunning. Good find, Zack!

Well dang it, here I thought I was being original, I haven't seen Marc's version of this particular comp. I couldn't find it on his site, or anywhere for that matter. Can someone send me a link?

A really wonderful rendition of the infamous "Owens Valley" look. I think the cropped version is the ticket here, Zack.

It is a very nice image Zack. I love that forground, it looks like its on fire.

This is nicer than the last--love the fg lighting here! definitely cropped.

wonderful warm/cool contrast, beautifully done

Beautiful Zack. The light is fantastic here. The crop is an improvement as well.
Nice work as always.

Here's the link:

http://www.marcadamus.com/photo.php?id=13&gallery=favorites

Thanks for the link Miguel. Yes, that is one of my favorites of Marc's, and the one that inspired my post from last week. This image is from a different nearby area.

The crop works better, but the light and color in this series is just stunning. Marvelous shot.

What incredible light you had, though it does look a little saturated to me - I don't think it would lose any impact with a bit less saturation. The crop is a great improvement for me. I love how the foliage in the bottom really looks like flames! Regarding the similarity between this and Marc's image.. while it's clearly a different composition, it's also clearly a derivative of his, which is not necessarily a bad thing.. but perhaps worth noting as you did on the previous post. Don't get me wrong, I've been quite tempted to take a shot here myself, I just couldn't accept standing next to all the highway traffic That and the fact that I would never feel comfortable calling the image own.

I do know what you mean Floris, and this is indeed a similar area. The difference is this a different stand of trees all together, and while it does look similar, I was actually attempting to do something different with this shot than I had ever seen from this area. Granted, my last shot is really similar to Marc's. I'm not sure it's possible to shoot a completely original composition at this location, it's just been shot by too many photographers including Marc and it is a relatively small area, but that should not stop me or anyone else from trying something original from this or any other iconic location. Both my shots from here are in completely different light than Marc's image, and as I explained before, I really was trying to do something original with this one.

Like it or not, Marc's shot is so iconic that people will always remember it and judge any other shot from the area against it. Whether any shot of the same location can be called original is more a philosophical question. What I do know is how much I enjoyed photographing this area, and that I was using my own compositional skills to create this particular image, I didn't base this comp on any other image. To me it is original, but that is my own subjective opinion, and there will always be comparison to such an iconic shot and photographer.

Gorgeous image, I wouldn't mind seeing it with a little less saturation for comparison,

Here is a version with zero vibrance, or saturation for comparison. As you can see it didn't have very much added to start with, but there is a difference. Especially in print, I prefer the little bit of saturation.

Now that's a nice bath of light Zack. The crop is a winner. Love the textures and layers.

If Ansel Adams can shoot the Cliff dwellings from almost the same spot as Timothy O'Sullivan then I guess you'll be ok Zack, and I would bet there were many photographers prior to Adamus that took pictures of this brush and trees. No one cares about impinging on their artistic vision, and I'm inspired by many images taken as well .
Ok, just visted Adamus website and viewed the image in question, your shot is not identical and it would be pushing it to even call it derivative, unless taking a picture of something similar, even under different light could be considered as such. Anyway your interpretations are great images and I haven't seen this spot in all my travels around the Owens Valley, but I'm sure I will stumble across it, and if conditions and the light are right you bet I'm getting the camera out. With apologies to all previous photographers.

Paul

Zach, Stunning display of light. Great Job!!! Nicely done.

I'll go with the repost. This image has some POP to it!

Cropped version is better, IMO. Love the scene, though it doesn't feel quite as real as some of your other images. I'm the first to admit that an image doesn't have to be a straight take on reality, but the intensity here seems a bit strong. I like the less vibrance version better.

Love the reds and the oranges. Looks like you have a nice simple background here which really adds the refinement of the image also. Nice work here Zack.

I just got a burst of warmth. I like the feeling. I would try darkening the background a little to make the trees stand out a bit more. But I like it.

Beautiful photo Zack. I like the comp and feel it is different enough from Adamus' photo to stand on its own.

Definitely the cropped version, this is real nice Zack. What amazing light! And this is a different comp than Marc's and that is a whole different topic IMO. Not sure what the fuss is around that. Many places will be photographed by many photographers, simple as that.

Man, that light is killer. What a super image, Zack!

Yeah, I recognize this because of Marc's shot. But this is all yours( I have read that it is a different group of trees). The light and on fire color is fantastic. I agree that a lot of people are going to have shot the same locations. It doesn't grant an exclusive to be the first. Besides, I have looked for this spot a couple of times with no success. But when I do find it, I will definately get my versions too. Is it near 395, or somewhere else in the valley?

Chris

This is a beautiful image, Zack. I wish I had one of these in my portfolio. I dont care if images are very similar to someone elses, as long as that photographer doesnt have a full gallery of copies with little original work. Its sad for me to see some "profesisonal copycats" around on the forums. It's great to get inspiration...nothing wrong with that. Some sites have little options for differentiating comps, especially if you have an eye for proper comps and it sounds like this is one of those areas. Where was this taken?

Wonderful colors and comp, great find.

Let me say that I really like the dramatic tones and color. I don't like the intruding bush on the left, nor the bush bleeding off on the right. I wish the central and main feature was surrounded by the blueish shadowed brush on the hill behind. I know you can't control that. All and all the glowing golden hour brush is quite amazing.

Beautiful light and color here Zack, and a wonderful comp especially with the crop version.