Out of Chaos

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 16, 2010377 views40 comments

Well folks, I'm still in a photo funk and my apologies for not participating much - again. But I did just get back from a great weekend in Yosemite with Harley, Jason and my lurker buddy Kyle. We had a great weekend and I hope that the resulting film gets me going again.

This one here though is left over from my trip with Dan way back in January. Dan called this our "secret spot," but really it's right off the road. In fact just behind and to the right of this is a small electric transformer/transfer station and the Boulder lodge. We worked this meadow a couple of times and this was my favorite. Imagine also that this was captured the day after the epic snow storm that closed Yosemite Valley for a day. This was captured near El Portal just a few miles outside the Valley proper.

Full disclosure. A slight Orton addition as well as some added vignetting. Interestingly I think it helped with making the background simpler, yet kept the foreground tree with good detail. I would be very curious about your thoughts on the processing.

Thanks as always for your honest comments and critiques.

4x5, Nikkor 300mm, V100F f/45 @8s

Thanks!

Lon

Comments

40 comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on May 16, 2010 at 9:15 PM

Hi Lon,

I think it looks awesome. I can't even tell the Orton Effect and the vignetting is barely noticeable. Very moody. I hope this gets you out of your funk. God Bless!

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on May 16, 2010 at 9:31 PM

This is truly beautiful. The foreground tree is perfectly framed. The colors are subtle and well balanced. You've gotten the background trees to recede in an almost spooky way.

Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on May 16, 2010 at 9:32 PM

Absolutely beautiful, in almost a haunting way. Remarkable shot.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on May 16, 2010 at 9:44 PM

Absolutely outstanding. Very artistic, evocative image. This tree has fabulous form and detail which stands out nicely from the background.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on May 16, 2010 at 10:04 PM

I really love the silvery , tingling, edges of the branches Lon. Tyypical Lon, but this seems more ethereal in a way I can not describe. Lovely, evocative image.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Cartamil on May 16, 2010 at 10:09 PM

Wow - chaotic yet very intriguing and moody. I'm not a huge fan of the Orton effect, but I guess thats just my opinion.

Registered on November 15, 2007, 50 Posts, 601 Comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Glatt on May 16, 2010 at 10:22 PM

Love this. Great shot, Lon. There are a couple green spots bleeding through from the bg, I would be tempted to desat those.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 171 Posts, 3566 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Cram on May 16, 2010 at 10:23 PM

Beautiful. I love these types of shots. The detail in yours is remarkable in the larger version, I bet in a large print it's insane. I think the vinetting helps also.

Registered on June 4, 2006, 204 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on May 16, 2010 at 10:45 PM

Hi Lon

marvelous harmony of form, color and light, A superb capture

Albert Darmo Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Duval on May 17, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Lon,

Very nice, sorry to hear about your funk, hope your recent Yosemite trip washes that away. This tree image had a crazy quilt spiderweb look to it, if that makes any sense. The trees behind it look as if they are looming over the lone tree as if waiting for something. Moody and compelling.

Paul

Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on May 17, 2010 at 12:08 AM

WOW, this is extremely nice, Lon. The detail throughout the entire etching here is really exceptional. It would appear as though the perfect light worked some wonders on this tree grouping.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on May 17, 2010 at 12:14 AM

Spectacular Lon! No nits at all. Well seen and captured. I love the processing; it fits the subject and scene very well.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on May 17, 2010 at 12:18 AM

Pretty epic. Love the surreal nature of the depth. Awesome color

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on May 17, 2010 at 6:52 AM

Works for me Lon! Love the way you've managed to get the main branches to stand out from the bg here. You're a master working with these type of scenes. Nice work.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on May 17, 2010 at 7:02 AM

My thoughts on the processing are that it worked. I think the vignette keeps my eye trained on the center of the image but allows it to flow round the shot. I really like the effect and think the shot is great.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on May 17, 2010 at 9:12 AM

Amazing image. Beautiful color and detail with a superb composition. This looks great on my monitor in the large version. Nice work, Lon.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, Wi

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolas Belokurov on May 17, 2010 at 9:50 AM

I really like your tree worlds Lon and this one is not an exception. I'm not a big fan of orton however or any significant digital work on a film shot, but it does work pretty well here.

Registered on July 22, 2009, 41 Posts, 533 Comments

Comment posted by Bret Edge on May 17, 2010 at 12:07 PM

This is just outstanding, Lon. I see no funk whatsoever in this image. It's chaotic but your mastery of complicated compositions shines through here. It's just awesome!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on May 17, 2010 at 12:33 PM

Great capture. You framed the foreground tree perfectly and the details throughout the image are exceptional. I wouldn't have noticed the orton effect. Good job

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Wendy Blanchard on May 17, 2010 at 12:42 PM

Wow, I actually love the orton effect on this shot gives it a eerie mood. Very nicely done!

Registered on June 11, 2006, 58 Posts, 647 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on May 17, 2010 at 12:53 PM

So "simple" (not in reality of shooting/processing) but in the idea. Artistic to say the least, perfect comp, love the way the greens are subtly leaking out of the background.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on May 17, 2010 at 12:55 PM

This is really sweet Lon. For being in a funk you've been posting some nice stuff. Do understand being in a funk though!! This really is one that needs to be viewed large to be fully appreciated.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on May 17, 2010 at 1:45 PM

Gorgeous, Lon! I can't believe you were keeping this from us all that time! I love the processing in the small version, but find the Orton a little strong in the large version (mostly because I expect to see the details a little better in the large one). I love the purple/blue cast.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Joel Hazelton on May 17, 2010 at 1:46 PM

Ooooh, I'd love to see this one HUGE.

Registered on August 6, 2008, 194 Posts, 1315 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on May 17, 2010 at 2:14 PM

Welcome back Lon. What an inspiring image. It looks like you are trying something different here which I commend you for. It's really hard to make a judgment on the detail because of the limitations of compression, and it sure would be nice to look at this in person, but what an outstanding shot as is. I know what you mean by funk. I've been there for awhile now. This has got to help. I think one of your best.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Diggins on May 17, 2010 at 4:43 PM

Very cool Lon. Love the depth that the lines of the tree create. Nice shot.

Registered on May 8, 2010, 4 Posts, 83 Comments

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on May 17, 2010 at 4:57 PM

lovely image. Love the soft light.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on May 17, 2010 at 7:38 PM

Beautiful, Lon.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on May 17, 2010 at 8:55 PM

A classic and sweet Overacker if I ever did see an Overacker. You have an amazing way with trees! Excellent.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on May 17, 2010 at 8:56 PM

Extraordinary. Pure art.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on May 17, 2010 at 9:32 PM

This is a perfect example of how art and photography are not mutually exclusive--awesome!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on May 18, 2010 at 12:40 AM

Phenomenal Lon. One of the most artistic images of trees I have ever seen. Incredible work.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on May 18, 2010 at 6:27 AM

An image that really makes me go WOW! I wouldn't change a thing. The delicate fine details are a wonder.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on May 18, 2010 at 10:50 AM

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate it.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on May 18, 2010 at 12:59 PM

Another winner from Yosemite! This one has a lot of complex and intricate details throughout and it took your great compositional eye to make them sing.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on May 18, 2010 at 4:31 PM

You do these so well Lon. The larger version is a treat and does look a hair soft though. I like the way you framed this one and the hidden details throughout.
Thanks for sharing

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on May 18, 2010 at 8:01 PM

One of your best in my humble opinion Lon, I can't stop staring at it!

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by INGOMA on May 18, 2010 at 9:54 PM

Oh my, what a beauty Lon. So subtle yet impactful. You have made a work of art out of what I would have passed by. I also feel this is one of your best - awesome.

Registered on July 2, 2004, 231 Posts, 3110 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on May 19, 2010 at 12:13 AM

Well done, Lon. This will make a good addition to your tree(s)
portfolio.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Jesse Speer on May 19, 2010 at 3:53 PM

Beautiful image! This would certainly pull me out of any funk.

For a somewhat 2d, frame-filling textural image, this has a wonderful depth to it ... which the Orton effect enhances.

Registered on September 18, 2004, 19 Posts, 339 Comments