Across the River

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 21, 2011250 views18 comments

One of my favorite places in Yosemite Valley is just beyond Happy Isles along the Merced River. Early in the morning, while the rest of world is having their morning coffee, except for Lon and Harley, I like to sit here and listen to the white sound of the water sliding over the rocks and the whisper of the breeze in the trees across the river.

Tachihara 4x5
135mm Fujinon
f22@2s
Velvia 100
Cropped a bit from the top
5/13/2011

Your thoughts are always appreciated!

--P

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Barry Vangrov on June 21, 2011 at 3:02 PM

Well seen - I like the comp. Personally I'd prefer to see a bit more detail in the water - maybe 1s instead of 2. Nice lighting on the tree.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 148 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on June 21, 2011 at 3:12 PM

Lovely scene Preston! I can imagine why you like this spot. It conveys a relaxed feeling to me.

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

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on June 21, 2011 at 3:45 PM

This is a beautiful scene and i like how you composed it.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Julian Barkway on June 21, 2011 at 5:40 PM

Really rather lovely, Preston.

Registered on January 18, 2007, 344 Posts, 1961 Comments

Comment posted by Anne K. Rusk on June 21, 2011 at 6:56 PM

I like how the greens just pop! I can almost hear the water rushing by. Very calming effect!

Registered on October 10, 2010, 65 Posts, 904 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 21, 2011 at 11:08 PM

Beautiful scene, Preston. I am finding the greens of the tree a little too intense, but YMMV. Minor stuff though. Fine image.

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

Comment posted by Jeffrey Sipress on June 21, 2011 at 11:16 PM

As always, Preston, your subject's illumination is perfectly controlled. Quite pleasing to view for a while......

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on June 21, 2011 at 11:36 PM

Beautiful greens and very nice light. It's just my personal preference, but I wish there was a little more life to the water. A lovely, peaceful location.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on June 22, 2011 at 12:04 AM

This feel like John Sexton in color. Just gorgeous, Preston.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 22, 2011 at 12:25 AM

Beautiful Preston. That tree really stands out against the background forest and I really like the amount/proportion of river at the bottom. There's plenty of texture as far as I'm concerned.

I had two things, one which we've chatted about and that's toning down the brightest parts of the tree - and you said you already addressed that in print and so I'm looking forward to that. But the other thing I hadn't mentioned yet was that I still think you could pull back on the blue -say only 10pts or so in a Levels adj (Wide mids). Not unlike what you saw in my image, I'm seeing a little extra blue - it's very slight. Of course it's a moot point if you're already happy with the print.

Now for folks who have yet to look at this image, here's Preston in action under the "cloth" fiddling with his 4x5 in the act of actually capturing this image. Nice work Preston.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Mike Ryan on June 22, 2011 at 9:41 AM

Hi Preston

"Peaceful" is what first comes to mind when I view this image.I like how the tree glows relative to the background and the for me the shutter speed and texture of the water interplays nicely with the forest above.

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

Comment posted by Anders Engström on June 22, 2011 at 11:16 AM

Beautiful image with great light! Maybe I would have preferred a shorter exposure time to have a bit more texture and detail in the water, but thats only my own personal opinion. Otherwise a beautiful image.

//Anders

Registered on September 21, 2010, 21 Posts, 83 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Greer on June 22, 2011 at 2:32 PM

Very nice Preston! Looks so much like home here in the Blue Ridge.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 404 Posts, 1977 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on June 22, 2011 at 9:00 PM

I think this is very peaceful, and elegant. I can absolutely imagine sitting there alone and experiencing the freshness, and the sounds of the scene.

It's amazing how the camera can isolate only the good stuff in a comp, and cut out all the undesirables with the edges of the frame. Undesirables, like that big unsightly thing in the foreground!!!!!

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on June 22, 2011 at 10:26 PM

Nice Preston. I like the composition and the details and light are sweet.

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

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on June 22, 2011 at 11:13 PM

Preston,

I love the glow in the tree. It brings the whole image to life.

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 23, 2011 at 9:27 PM

I really like the curve of the tree creating some tension with the water flowing below. Love the spring green and the wonderful glow of the leaves. I might slightly decrease the higher values of the green leaves but that is a minor suggestion. Sounds like this was a really nice morning.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on June 24, 2011 at 9:35 AM

Many thanks to all for your comments! They are very helpful.

Happy Summer, everyone!

--P

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