Crater Lake Sunset

Gallery: LandscapePosted September 28, 20101,052 views41 comments

I just returned from teaching a 3 day workshop at Crater Lake National Park with fellow Photo Cascadia Member David Cobb. We had some amazing weather and light, especially on Sunday when these clouds moved in.

The light on the tree is coming from the sunset reflecting on the clouds up above me and to the right. This was a 360 degree sunset, it was breathtaking. This is a shot I found on first trip to Crater Lake in 2003. I've been waiting to shoot it under better conditions ever since.

This is a just a quick edit I did last night, very little processing on this one. I'll probably fine tune it bit more for the print file.

Comments

41 comments

Comment posted by Anish Desai on September 28, 2010 at 5:04 PM

I've seen a lot of images of this lake, but usually without an interesting foreground like this. Great job showcasing the gorgeous light on this tree.

Registered on May 23, 2009, 49 Posts, 410 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on September 28, 2010 at 5:06 PM

This is pretty darn incredible Zack! The light is really special, and I like your comp. If you decide to fine tune anything I might lighten the mountain face on the right a little. Super pretty.

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

Comment posted by Aleksandra Miesak on September 28, 2010 at 5:20 PM

I agree with Bill's comment and I also wish I could see the top of the tree not cut off but I realize that might be something unavoidable depending on the lens. But I love the detail in the pine and how it frames the lake and Wizard Island.

Registered on March 1, 2009, 15 Posts, 133 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on September 28, 2010 at 5:25 PM

Aleksandra, I actually have an image shot right before this one with the whole tree included. I like a lot, but not as much as this one. I'll probably post that one too when I get a chance to work on it.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on September 28, 2010 at 5:50 PM

Beautiful, Zack. Love it. Amazing light and color. I totally enjoy looking at this.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Yan Zhang on September 28, 2010 at 6:17 PM

A great shot! I like the tree thunk details and the amazing color.

Registered on April 10, 2010, 28 Posts, 292 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on September 28, 2010 at 6:26 PM

Love this Zack. The tree root sweeping to the right fg is very cool. The light and the colors are spectacular. Great Capture.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on September 28, 2010 at 6:38 PM

Sweet shot, love the glowing light on that gnarled wood.

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

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on September 28, 2010 at 6:41 PM

Stunning light and a superbly crafted composition.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on September 28, 2010 at 6:44 PM

Very sweet, Zack. Love the light!

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

Comment posted by Neale Dyster on September 28, 2010 at 7:08 PM

Love it Zack, great light & comp.

Registered on February 19, 2008, 94 Posts, 738 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on September 28, 2010 at 8:26 PM

Talk about sweet light! I love the character of the tree and that sweeping FG root is awesome. A beautifully crafted image, Zack.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on September 28, 2010 at 8:28 PM

Just beautiful, nothing more too it. Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on September 28, 2010 at 8:29 PM

Beautiful light Zack. I think the top branch looking at the right compensates the cropped top of the tree, the comp works very well for me. Stunning scene.

Registered on July 22, 2009, 62 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on September 28, 2010 at 9:17 PM

Outstanding, Zack.

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

Comment posted by Peter Conway on September 28, 2010 at 9:46 PM

This is great stuff. I love the detail and light on the tree. Great character coupled with beautiful BG and sky.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on September 28, 2010 at 10:00 PM

The light is great but the comp maybe grabs me even more. Nicely done all around.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on September 28, 2010 at 10:22 PM

Great light and that's a real strong FG element. Well done, Zack!

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

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on September 28, 2010 at 11:07 PM

this is easily the best crater lake image i have ever seen ...awesome

Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on September 29, 2010 at 12:57 AM

This is an excelent Crater lake image. I did not find this an easy location, despite its scenic character. The tree in the fg works great.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Roane on September 29, 2010 at 1:17 AM

stunning!!!!

Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments

Comment posted by Giovanni Allievi on September 29, 2010 at 3:15 AM

Zack, this is probably one of the most beautiful landscape photograph I've ever seen.

Sincere congratulations!

Giovanni.

Registered on March 26, 2008, 87 Posts, 379 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on September 29, 2010 at 5:19 AM

Beautiful work, Zack. The light is just stunning and the old tree is a fascinating subject. Awesome conditions, well composed and captured!

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Loulou Beavers on September 29, 2010 at 6:26 AM

Wow!

Registered on June 21, 2008, 73 Posts, 205 Comments

Comment posted by Paolo De Faveri on September 29, 2010 at 6:55 AM

Stunning light indeed, and the tree is a strong and interesting element in the composition. I cannot avoid though to see the tree as truncated, my eyes keep going up there looking for some more...

Maybe turning the camera 90° and shooting 4-5 verticals for a stitched pano would have provided you with some more compositional choices.

Paolo

Registered on August 29, 2007, 318 Posts, 1651 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on September 29, 2010 at 9:28 AM

That's some great light indeed and it's amazing how the texture of the tree comes to life. Love this one, Zack.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolas Belokurov on September 29, 2010 at 12:51 PM

Wonderful light Zack and the composition is pretty strong IMO.

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

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on September 29, 2010 at 1:09 PM

This looks terrific Zack, comp, colours, everything looks spot on.

Gary.

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

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on September 29, 2010 at 1:17 PM

Stunning! Wonderful comp and colors. I love the fact that you've had this shot in mind for a few years, knowing that good conditions could make it spectacular. And you were right.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by John Lehmkuhl on September 29, 2010 at 2:03 PM

really a nice shot, Zack!! Love everything about it. If you can pull just a little more detail out of the shadows by the lake, below the tree, that might add even more to it but heck, this is so sweet as it is....

Registered on May 22, 2005, 165 Posts, 2008 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on September 29, 2010 at 2:24 PM

A unique image from Crater Lake for me. Wonderful composition, great work Zack.

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on September 29, 2010 at 4:33 PM

Gorgeous, just gorgeous! Sweet comp, colors and light. Glad you found the right time to go back!

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

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on September 29, 2010 at 8:42 PM

Sweet!! Lovely and very beautiful. Hats off, Zack.

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on September 29, 2010 at 9:23 PM

Very unique perspective Zack. I can see why you wanted to shoot this under optimal conditions. Looks like you got em. I like how the tree branches are pointing towards the island and the color of the sky, while that giant root stump thing is cradling everything at the bottom. Wicked stuff for sure!

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Cowan on September 29, 2010 at 11:06 PM

The light on the tree is sweet! This seems like very original comp from this lake.

Registered on September 22, 2010, 8 Posts, 165 Comments

Comment posted by Håkon Iversen on September 30, 2010 at 3:49 AM

Love that tree! THe light and tones are truly great as well.

Registered on August 16, 2010, 20 Posts, 123 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on September 30, 2010 at 1:46 PM

The light is very pretty here, but I personally find the tree to be somewhat of an eyesore. The branches seem clumpy and dont have a particular flow to them. And, being ultra picky, its too bad the top of Wizard Island is cut off...or doesn't have seperation from the background...

Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on September 30, 2010 at 5:13 PM

This is absolutely beautiful, what an amazing tree, oh, and the landscape ain't bad either

Well done.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on October 1, 2010 at 12:24 AM

Sweet lighting Zack. This is a very unique shot from Crater Lake

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 1, 2010 at 2:21 PM

Strong comp! Also, magical light. Superb work!

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

Comment posted by Mohammad Hosseini on June 23, 2011 at 10:36 AM

Wonderful image. Like Alexandria I would love to see whole tree specially when the sky is so gorgeous.

Registered on May 16, 2011, 15 Posts, 301 Comments