Rays Of Grinnell

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 4, 2011296 views17 comments

I originally posted 2 versions of this shot on RMNP forum. After reviewing all the helpful comments and suggestions, I finally came up with this version.

I used 5 different exposures (N,+1,-1,-2,-3) to make a HDR image in Photomatix. The HDR version was used for the sky, mountains and trees. I had a lot of unwanted artifacts in the water and grass in the HDR version, so I processed the +1 exposure and blended it with the HDR image to get the final image you see here.

Taken in Glacier National Park, Many Glacier area, Montana. All comments and suggestions appreciated.

Nikon D300 18-200mm @18mm 200ISO Normal exposure @F8 1/100sec. Tripod/Cable Release
Originally I shot 7 exposures 1 stop apart N,-1,-2,-3,+1,+2,+3

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Aaron Burdick on February 4, 2011 at 4:13 PM

Wonderful shot! The processing looks very natural. It may be a little dark in the foreground, but not too much so. Boy Photomatix has gotten a lot better since I used it 2 years ago.

Registered on May 1, 2009, 31 Posts, 197 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Stough on February 4, 2011 at 4:26 PM

Excellent work Laurie. The processing is very well done. I might consider a bit of a crop of the left edge but in any case this is a lovely shot which appears quite true to life.

Registered on November 20, 2010, 26 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on February 4, 2011 at 4:31 PM

Nice processing, Laurie. It really brings out the best of this magnificent and fleeting light.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Mat Malone on February 4, 2011 at 4:34 PM

I saw your post on RMNP and at the time preferred the non-Photomatix version. But I think you found the best of both worlds here. I would de-sat the blue clouds at top-left. Those god beams are freaking sweet! Lots of strong diagonal lines in the comp as well.

Registered on December 15, 2008, 91 Posts, 882 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on February 4, 2011 at 6:11 PM

You did indeed find the best of both worlds here. I like your final version quite a bit!
I'm amazed the light hung on long enough for you to bracket 7 exposures.

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 4, 2011 at 9:32 PM

Stunning light and scenery and you handled it all so well.

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

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on February 4, 2011 at 9:58 PM

Beautiful image. The light and color is great. Great job with the technicals too.

- Dan.

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

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on February 5, 2011 at 12:38 AM

Nicely composed and processed. Beautiful light. Clearly you used the HDR for the parts where it was necessary and blended it out where not.

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

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on February 5, 2011 at 1:49 AM

I think you managed very well to keep the dynamic range and the colors where they look natural, despite the blending and HDR work. The scene is very well composed and the light is fascinating. Good work Laurie!

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 5, 2011 at 3:47 AM

Laurie,

This is quite excellent and a great capture of a dramatic moment. One might assume that some hdr or multiple image blending had to be used simply because of the range of light, but I must say your processing sure doesn't show me that, and I really think that your processing is excellent here. (Admittedly, I haven't reviewed the RMNP forum for your other revisions.) But that doesn't matter because I think you did a great job with this. Excellent work!

Lon

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

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on February 5, 2011 at 10:47 AM

Hey Laurie,
I think you handled the processing very nicely!!! The dramatic light really shines in this one!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 5, 2011 at 11:01 AM

Perfect combination of the two versions on RMNP and it's just a great shot. Love those rays.

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

Comment posted by Mike Ryan on February 5, 2011 at 1:10 PM

Well captured and excellent processing. The shaft of light really makes this image.

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

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on February 5, 2011 at 6:07 PM

One of my favorite places in the world captured very nicely!!!

Makes me miss it.

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

Comment posted by Pam Colander on February 6, 2011 at 1:04 AM

Really excellent result Laurie! That brightest beam has an almost 3-D look. You should be very proud of this one

Registered on December 7, 2006, 210 Posts, 1062 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on February 6, 2011 at 1:02 PM

Laurie, you captured an impressive scene! The processing is perfect, as it is not obvious at first sight what everything you have done - it just looks natural. I like it.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on February 6, 2011 at 3:48 PM

Wow!!!! Gorgeous scene and amazing light. Wonderful job on the processing, too.

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