Bear Lake Storm

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 9, 2011333 views16 comments

It was our last day in Rocky Mountain NP and I had wanted to take a sunrise image of this beautiful lake. Since the forecast was for storms to move in in early morning I had visions of fluffy clouds in brilliant colors helping me along with this image. Unfortunately the the front moved in early and, as sunrise approached we saw nothing but sullen skies which were obviously not going to break up. After almost an hour I had begun to pack up when this shaft of light appeared out of the overcast. I took two quick images and it was gone. Not exactly what I had envisioned but I was pleased that I got anything that morning.

I took this image with my Hasselblad H4D-40 and a Hassie 35-90mm zoom lens. This is my second post on this site. My first yielded a number of excellent comments which were of immense assistance in making that image better. I would appreciate your comments on the composition and any other matters that would help me with this image.

Art Wycoff

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on April 9, 2011 at 4:19 PM

It is my opinion that this image is better that what you had envisioned (typical sunrise color...). I think you caught great dramatic light here. All looks very well.

In PS I think maybe you could do one slight burn (in Luminosity mode) with the "blend if" sliders split (black sliders split - the right side of the slider to 255 and the left side of the slider to 128) and Burn tool in Highlight mode, the bright rock/land area for the most subtle of localized adjustments there. Not necessary but I'd be tempted to do it.

Sharpening is pretty darn good. You might be able to sharpen it a bit more with the pre sharpen technique (that Marc A popularized) and then erase the very slight edge halo on the ridge a little more for web presentation.

I'm being EXTREMELY picky here only because of your request on how the image might be improved.

Otherwise, even without the suggestions this is GREAT as is!!!

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

Comment posted by Peter Richter on April 9, 2011 at 4:42 PM

Arthur, you show us a great interplay of light and shadow as well as gorgeous colors! A strong composition. I think of burning the highlights on the rock at least on my monitor, but maybe it looks different in a larger version or print.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on April 9, 2011 at 5:03 PM

Welcome to NPN Arthur, and this is a beautiful post. The color is intense, but not overly so. I think Mark's burn suggestion is a good one. Beautiful contrast between the lit trees and the dark sky.

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

Comment posted by Bret Edge on April 9, 2011 at 5:07 PM

This is pretty sweet and certainly different from most photos of Hallet Peak and Bear Lake. I like the drama created by the sunlit trees and ominous clouds shadowing the peak. I'd be happy to have this in my portfolio.

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

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on April 9, 2011 at 6:03 PM

Gorgeous light Arthur a wee bit of a localised burn in on the extremely bright sunlit rock may help a tad but otherwise just fine. it also looks like you could sharpen a tad more. Love that storm light though.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on April 9, 2011 at 6:09 PM

this certainly is a dramatic contrast of light Art

for my tastes I would have toned down the brightest brights and try to recover just a hint more detail from the distant mountains, but not so much that it looks "tonemapped", I like the moody clouds too

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on April 9, 2011 at 9:20 PM

Very dramatic picture with fantastic light Art. A joy to look at. I would have been very pleased with this too!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on April 9, 2011 at 9:51 PM

Very nice luck with the light here, Art. The wedge of light is very appealing. I agree with Mark that a burn of the rock could be useful. Could also see opening the shadows a bit to reveal more texture in the dark tones.

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

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on April 10, 2011 at 12:41 AM

Art, the light here is exquisite!
SS

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

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on April 10, 2011 at 2:57 AM

Wonderful light, I might lift the shadows just a hair.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pederson on April 10, 2011 at 8:15 AM

Very dramatic light; nice capture. The contrast between the dark sky and the trees is what makes it for me. Composition wise, I think I'd have preferred a bit more sky and slightly less reflection in the foreground. On my monitor it appears to need a bit more sharpening.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on April 10, 2011 at 10:36 AM

Wonderful storm light Arthur! BTW - Welcome to NPN. Burning down the bright rock on the left has already been mentioned.

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

Comment posted by Adrian Klein on April 10, 2011 at 12:28 PM

This is the kind of light we all hope to get out in the field, and yes when it comes it usually goes as fast it comes. You have to act fast and glad you did here. If I had to nit pick I would agree that possibly opening up the shadows a tad more might be good. Regardless, still a very nice image.

Registered on June 10, 2007, 112 Posts, 1506 Comments

Comment posted by Rafael Rojas on April 10, 2011 at 3:44 PM

Quite special...almost abstract, and for sure graphical. Light is here the subject indeed...very well done.
Maybe I would diminish a bit the luminosity of the big rocky head to the right...as it is too clouse to the border and competes a bit too much with the gorgeous texture of the trees, which for me is the real focus point here? Well done!

Registered on March 1, 2009, 56 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on April 10, 2011 at 4:51 PM

very nice light

i like it

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on April 10, 2011 at 7:33 PM

What fantastic and dramatic light, Art! The only thing I can think of is that the area around the rock (and the rock itself) seem a little hot, so I would bring those down a touch.

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