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Parete dei Militi
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Parete dei Militi

by Paolo De Faveri

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 20, 2010484 views18 comments
PLEASE VIEW LARGER, THANKS

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for the great commentary on my last image, I really appreciate the support and suggestions.

These vertical walls of limestone are huge, they're about 250 meters (800 ft) tall and 1 kilometer wide, and are known as Parete dei Militi, which literally means Soldiers' Wall, presumably because in the past its ridge marked the border between Italy and France and thus, in WWII, the war front line.
In the present days they're well known among Italian and international climbers for the fullfilling climbing experiences it can offer, and I think you can all easily see the reason why.

I took this picture the same day and in the same place (Valle Stretta in the western Alps, Piedmont, Italy) of my previous post, just about 40 minutes later, when the sun had already set and the only source of light was the blue sky.
I had my troubles processing this, particularly in finding a good balance with colours and contrast, as the available light was rather dull on the rock walls and colours where a little flat. However, I think I eventually came out with something I'm happy with, but I'd really love to hear what your thoughts are about it.

Compression is once again a strong limiting factor on the normal size image, so I highly recommend a click on the larger file, where details should come out a bit better, I hope.

Your C&C are as always highly appreciated, thanks in advance for your time.

Techs: Eos 50D, Tamron SP 28-75 f2,8, no filters, tripod. Stitched from five vertical frames, 0,4" f11 each

Comments

18 comments
Comment posted by Wayne Simpson on October 20, 2010 at 9:03 PM
Love this one! Thanks for posting the larger version, it's really worth viewing. I like the composition, but would prefer just a little less rock wall for my taste.

I must have missed your previous post... dang, that is sweeeeeet! Congrats!

Wayne
Registered on December 11, 2006, 303 Posts, 924 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Cordes on October 20, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Larger image really does show more detail. I love the strong colors against the grey wall. I agree a pano with less wall on top is even stronger.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 451 Posts, 3366 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on October 20, 2010 at 9:23 PM
Not really sure how I missed the previous post, wow! This is very nice as well, packed with great details. I too am thinking a little less rock wall however.
Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments
Comment posted by Angela Classen on October 20, 2010 at 9:47 PM
The details in this are amazing. I rather like the large looming walls over the trees - gives one more of a sense of how large the wall is. The colors are great, you did a wonderful job.
Registered on June 13, 2007, 434 Posts, 2742 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 20, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Great find Paolo! Nice contrasts -especially the color agaist the stark rocks!
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Guy Tal on October 20, 2010 at 10:22 PM
What a place, and an excellent composition emphasizing the sheer size of the cliffs. Beautiful work!

Guy
Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on October 20, 2010 at 10:24 PM
Really nice mix of colors with a contrasting blue background. Real pretty image.

Thanks for the comment about the red in the trees on my image. Good call.
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 20, 2010 at 10:53 PM
The trees give a good sense of scale, and the contrasts in texture and color work very well. The color is excellent! :toast:
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Sieren on October 20, 2010 at 11:02 PM
Such beautiful contrasts between cliff and foliage Paolo. :toast:
Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Dayton on October 20, 2010 at 11:41 PM
I like this very much, Paolo. The red-leafed tree makes it
work for me. The way that you composed shows the grandeur
of the area. I like the proportions of the granite wall and the
trees below in the FG. However, the wonderfulness of your
previous post makes any subsquent posts of this area an
almost impossible act to follow. That having been said, I
still like this very much.
Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on October 21, 2010 at 12:06 AM
Another beauty, Paolo! You know, this kind of reminds me of someplace. I can't quite put my finger on it though :smile:

Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Giovanni Russello on October 21, 2010 at 3:24 AM
Well Paolo,
I think that you nailed. The colours of the trees are well saturated but still looking natural. And the blue tone of the "wall" behind offers a very nice contrasting element.

well done,
gio
Registered on January 21, 2007, 95 Posts, 1617 Comments
Comment posted by Paolo De Faveri on October 21, 2010 at 6:08 AM
Thanks all again for the great feedback, I appreciate that. I'm happy to hear that colours and contrast work, as I was really unsure on tihs one. I made about 10 different versions and was never completely happy, till the last one (the posted one). Cropping from above might be an option, and I agree it could balance a bit the ratio between foreground and walls. But the reason for taking this picture is all in showing the grandeur of the rocky walls, so I don't know. Will think about it of course.
Thanks again.
Paolo
Registered on August 29, 2007, 318 Posts, 1651 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on October 21, 2010 at 8:33 AM
I certainly wouldnt crop it--but i do find the light on the cliff to be a bit flat, i guess there was no avoiding that (unless you shot it at a different time :wink: ). Still, its a pretty cool shot, definitely a keeper.
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Anish Desai on October 21, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Great job capturing the scale of the wall against the trees. The color mix in the trees is especialy pleasing against the gray rock.
Registered on May 23, 2009, 49 Posts, 410 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 21, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Another beauty Paolo. I particularly like the composition here - normally I would want a little more FG, but this works great. The color is beautiful, but what I really like is that the wall kind of mimics the trees with changing colors, although they are more subtle.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Ryan on October 21, 2010 at 4:15 PM
Hi Paolo

Another winner here. The colors you've lucky enough to witness are astounding as well as the terrain around them. Another fine image.
Registered on June 29, 2008, 85 Posts, 636 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 21, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Another beautiful photograph. I love the colors and amazing detail (large version) that you get, Paolo. I really like this huge rock wall behind these colorful trees. My personal feeling would be to leave it like you have it here, even though it would look fine with less of it.
Thanks for the help on my last image!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments