Rorschach's Kaleidoscope

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 21, 2010645 views46 comments

It's always changing, and never dull during storm light in the mountains. We were just standing there talking, and watching the light dance in and out of the clouds when, this spot light shown down on the scene. I was pretty giddy while trying to capture it, and didn't realize just how amazing it was til' I looked at this. Anyway, my camera renders shadow and overcast very blue. I've tried to balance this out by slightly warming the white balance, and making a few adjustments in color balance as well, while trying to retain the drama of the moment. A bit of a challenging one for me. I hope you enjoy it, and thank you for your thoughts. large version included as well.

Oh, also, let me just say how many amazing and high quality images have been posted this week so far. Very impressive everyone!

D200,
18-70mm,
1/6sec, F/9.5

Thanks,
Chris

Comments

46 comments

Comment posted by Art Escobado on October 21, 2010 at 1:28 AM

That's a sweet image Chris-I especially like the way the image's triangular shapes counterbalance each other providing great size and depth cues.

Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments

Comment posted by Jason Kim on October 21, 2010 at 1:32 AM

Beautiful! The saturated colors and contrast are wonderful, I love the comp and the reflection is great. This is a very striking image IMO.

Registered on July 1, 2006, 60 Posts, 1233 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on October 21, 2010 at 1:32 AM

What amazing light! I really like how you composed it with nearly the perfect mirror comp, but with the righthand peak cut off in the bottom - it makes the mountains look more majestic and ominous.

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on October 21, 2010 at 2:01 AM

Excellent! You guys had an amazing morning. The colors, reflections and light are all so sweet.

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

Comment posted by Edward Nunez on October 21, 2010 at 2:29 AM

Chris, This is great. Love the light, and actually everything about the image!

Registered on April 19, 2007, 65 Posts, 711 Comments

Comment posted by Giovanni Russello on October 21, 2010 at 2:55 AM

Hi Chris,
I must say that I like this one more then your previous from the same location.
I like how you worked out the dark stormy sky while maintaining the contrast at bay with the bright peaks. This really gives the impression of a very dynamic lighting condition.

good stuff.

gio

Registered on January 21, 2007, 95 Posts, 1617 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Gin on October 21, 2010 at 3:04 AM

This is stunning!! The colours and light are incredible. Nice capture.

Registered on October 13, 2008, 6 Posts, 43 Comments

Comment posted by Håkon Iversen on October 21, 2010 at 3:07 AM

Love that reflection, mate.

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

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on October 21, 2010 at 7:06 AM

Superb light and reflection here Chris! Also love the moody dark clouds above the mountains! Great scene and well captured!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on October 21, 2010 at 7:53 AM

Really sweet, Chris--you can't ask for better light than this!

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

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on October 21, 2010 at 8:16 AM

Stunning image, Chris. The ominous sky just sets off that color. Excellent comp.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pederson on October 21, 2010 at 8:25 AM

The reflection is just astonishing and the light is fascinating. With such a tonal range, I can see why taming the light wasn't easy. I think it would be an even stronger image if you could replicate the values and colors from the reflection into the mountains...still, nice job.

Registered on October 19, 2010, 95 Posts, 470 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on October 21, 2010 at 8:36 AM

Nice graphic quality to this Chris.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 21, 2010 at 8:41 AM

I agree, Chris, lots of great images here just this week. This is another one. Just Beautiful. Great light and colors. The reflection is awesome.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 21, 2010 at 9:26 AM

Gorgeous light and a perfect reflection Chris! Wonderful colors as well. Excellent image.

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

Comment posted by Joseph Kayne on October 21, 2010 at 9:38 AM

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on October 21, 2010 at 10:07 AM

That is very neat, Chris. The calm water and the stormy skies are an unexpected contrast that adds to the dynamism of the image.

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

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on October 21, 2010 at 10:38 AM

Wonderful, Chris! You captured great lighting with magnificant colors to
produce a grand scenic.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on October 21, 2010 at 10:39 AM

Real pretty, Chris. You sure nailed North Lake this year!

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM

Wow, wow, wow, another outstanding image Chris. What really strikes me is the clarity of this and, of course, the autumn colors and dramatic sky. Your processing is dead-on perfect.

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

Comment posted by Kenn Leonhardt on October 21, 2010 at 11:13 AM

This is stellar, Chris.

Registered on March 29, 2008, 27 Posts, 1710 Comments

Comment posted by Jeffrey Sipress on October 21, 2010 at 11:43 AM

Chris, good for you to be patient enough to stick around for this moment. One of the best I've seen from this place.

Registered on February 17, 2004, 236 Posts, 1197 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on October 21, 2010 at 11:58 AM

Awesome scene and the processing is spot on. What a great morning you had. I was on the slopes north of the June Lake Loop that morning and had some nice conditions, but not like this (but there wasn't another tripod within miles). Nicely done Chris.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on October 21, 2010 at 12:03 PM

Another stunner from North Lake. The light here is less impactful than your last post (IMO), but nonetheless spectacular. Very well done Chris!

Michael

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

Comment posted by dean hebert on October 21, 2010 at 12:32 PM

Terriffic reflection!

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Shephard on October 21, 2010 at 1:17 PM

This is spectacular. I love how the sunlight has caught the trees along the waters edge and of course the mirror image is fabulous.

Registered on February 23, 2010, 62 Posts, 132 Comments

Comment posted by Bob McQuade on October 21, 2010 at 2:05 PM

Great image! Really strange to see calm water with storm clouds moving about, and I guess thats what makes this such a dramatic shot. Well done.

Registered on October 8, 2009, 214 Posts, 432 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on October 21, 2010 at 4:17 PM

Great light and reflection.

Congrats

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ryan on October 21, 2010 at 4:30 PM

Another winner from NL Chris. The light is extraodrinary and you balance the light quite nicely. Did you clone out the fisherman or were you lucky enough to get the image without them? Your images are always top notch so keep up the good work!

Registered on June 29, 2008, 85 Posts, 636 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on October 21, 2010 at 5:32 PM

Chris,

Wow just gorgeous. One I can stare at for quite awhile. The light is the main subject here and it surely doesn't disappoint.

Wonderful capture

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 21, 2010 at 6:05 PM

Epic shot! Tim Fitzharris loves shots like this with the broken light shining through, and this is a perfect example of why! Absolutely fantastic light!

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

Comment posted by Larry Johnson on October 21, 2010 at 8:10 PM

An exceptional image, Chris, one I wish I could claim as my own. You expertly managed the dynamic light range, producing a dramatic and rich landscape. For those of us in Colorado, who don't recognize the setting, where was it taken? I'd like to visit this place some autumn in the future. I'll look forward to seeing more of your work.

Registered on February 19, 2005, 3 Posts, 1 Comments

Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on October 21, 2010 at 9:28 PM

Awesome catch Chris, just perfect.

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

Comment posted by Cory O'Neill on October 21, 2010 at 9:40 PM

That reflection really makes this image happen...just killer. Congrats on another fantastic shot, Chris!

Registered on October 4, 2008, 28 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on October 22, 2010 at 12:39 AM

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

Comment posted by Bruce King on October 22, 2010 at 12:54 AM

I'm really liking this one, Chris. I'm amazed that you didn't need several exposures to capture such a range. Sweet!

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

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on October 22, 2010 at 2:23 AM

Very powerful image Chris. This image has the color, the light, the reflection and just about everything else. There is nothing else to say but that this is an awesome image.

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

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on October 22, 2010 at 2:34 AM

Really nice Chris. Really nice.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on October 22, 2010 at 7:51 AM

Incredible lightshow Chris, beautiful capture.

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

Comment posted by Cory Freeman on October 22, 2010 at 12:11 PM

another fine shot of NL Chris!! You were the jackpot winner on this day!!

Registered on December 16, 2003, 107 Posts, 1341 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on October 22, 2010 at 1:06 PM

I remember this one, it was one of those oh, lets just get one more last shot. Perfect example of storm light Chris.

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on October 22, 2010 at 3:21 PM

Chris,

I've been to North Lake many, many times and I've yet to experience such gorgeous light and still water.

This is simply lovely. Well done!

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Good on October 22, 2010 at 11:29 PM

I see you decided to save the best for last.

This is freakin' awesome! Now I kind of wish I would have followed you all down to the lake. Excellent work, start to finish!

Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on October 23, 2010 at 12:48 AM

Nice bro

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Shaun Mazurek on October 23, 2010 at 2:04 PM

Chris, you nailed this one. The storm light is moody and wonderful. This is a very nice capture. :)

Registered on June 12, 2010, 21 Posts, 162 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on October 23, 2010 at 6:54 PM

Chris,

Just when I thought I've seen the best from North Lake, you drop this one on us. Your previous image would have made anyone happy if that was the only image they made on a trip. This one makes it double. You guys had one spectacular morning.

The light is fantastic of course and very, very High Sierra. In other words strong and bright. Given the conditions you guys witness I can't hardly bring myself to criticize this.... but I might be tempted to selectively burn down the highlights in the top half of the image. It's not a problem or a distraction per se, just something I might experiment with.

Sorry I missed commenting on this one. Another monster image Chris, congrats.

Lon

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