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Sierra Summer
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Sierra Summer

by Chris Chamberlain

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 31, 2011248 views17 comments
A typical afternoon in the Sierra on Lake Tahoe's eastern shorline. More often than not, it seems that the days start with clear cloudless skies. But as the afternoon arrives, so do the thunderstorms. I took this a few years back, but have had another go at the processing. Large version included, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

D200,
18-70mm,
GND,
2sec, F/13,

Thanks,
Chris

Comments

17 comments
Comment posted by Russell Colletta on August 31, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Very dramatic image Chris, befitting the location. The mid and foreground really capture the spirit of the place.
Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 31, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Wonderful textures, Chris. The rocks and water are very strong elements. Some of the items in the distance seem to hint at a human presence but I'm just guessing. It's hard to tell in a jpeg.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on September 1, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Wonderful textures in the water and rocks Chris. I like you use of diagonals as well.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by David Edwards on September 1, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Love the fg material in this image, Chris. A very nice arrangement of rocks and lovely green/blue tones. The upper section seems a little dark, and I could see perhaps lightening up the line of those beautiful trees that curve around so nicely.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on September 1, 2011 at 1:08 AM
Chris,

I absolutely love the texture and color of the water and the interaction with the rocks. The light glancing off those rocks is beautiful too. I think you processed for this look very well. Personally, I see a new alternate by completely ridding this scene of the far shoreline and sky, just showcasing the water and rocks. that is where the entire images is for me. But that's just a suggestion for an alternate and not a fix for anything.

So Chris, are you pushing the limits on this "hand of man" thing or what? :rolleyes: :wink:
The small jpg version evidence is pretty insignificant and frankly you've got to look pretty good even in the large version, but are you testing me? :confused: :wink:

I would clone out the bright thing that is centered on the far horizon. Not sure what it is, but it's an eye magnet. The house on the left? Or is it a big rock? Nice piece of real estate regardless.

A beautiful image no matter how I try and criticize it!

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on September 1, 2011 at 8:01 AM
Hey der Chris. Sorry my Chicago was coming out there. Lovely rough palette knife water textures and the subdued hazy landscape. Seems real peaceful. I can see some rock abstracts in this scene as well.
Well done
Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on September 1, 2011 at 9:02 AM
Lake Tahoe is one of the prettiest places I've visited, and with this image it's easy to see why. I love the water motion and, of course, the texture of the rocks. The clouds add a nice touch as well.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on September 1, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Beautiful image, Chris. I've been planning a trip up to this spot for some time (if it's where I think it is), but it just hasn't come together. Too many other places to see! I really don't have any critiques to offer. I like the composition and shutter speed and yoru processing looks very good. Nice job harvesting your archives!
Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on September 1, 2011 at 1:02 PM
Real nice, Chris. I am not on a calibrated monitor, but the rocks seem a little cyan heavy to me. Minor stuff. Strong Tahoe scene.
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on September 1, 2011 at 1:13 PM
Nice comp and the colors are just as good. Well done.
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on September 1, 2011 at 1:51 PM
Smile.
Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments
Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on September 1, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Hi Chris - check you mails and grab a coffee!


Believe it or not, I saw this as print in the trunk of your car. Yes I am pretty sure this was one of the photographs you showed me. There is your "trademark" cyan tint (rocks, water), but it does not bother me here. The texture of the water looks great, and I also like how the rocks are placed in the frame - this looks really elegant and exellent. In fact the lower two thirds make the image for me, but I also think the upper part is really important for that "sense of place". Good stuff here Chris!
Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Richter on September 1, 2011 at 3:25 PM
Chris, the way you present the water surface in the foreground is really fascinating for me, and I especially like the delicate colors there. This part would be excellent for me even as an own image, without the landscape elements. Nevertheless, I like the image as it is, the cloud formation adds an interesting element to my eye.

Peter
Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments
Comment posted by Matthew Goldsmith on September 1, 2011 at 6:33 PM
Fantastic Chris. I'm mesmerized by the textures and color in the foreground water.
Registered on June 29, 2010, 37 Posts, 286 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 1, 2011 at 6:56 PM
Love the rocks and water, and the curving shoreline. I'd lighten up the trees a bit .
Definitely evidence of "Hand of Man" here, though. No "hints" that I can see -
I doubt whether there are many places at Tahoe any longer withOUT "hand of man" , sadly..

Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on September 1, 2011 at 10:31 PM
Thanks guys!

Sorry, I forgot to clone the bright speck in the distance. There is something there, not sure what, but to me, it just looked like a big rock. Not trying to stir the pot or anything.

Dietrich,

You are right, it is the one I showed you in the trunk. Not sure about the cyan you and Harley mentioned. I actually warmed it up 1000 points in ACR. And did some additional tweaks with color balance and selective color to try and neutralize the cyans even more.

Charlie,

Thanks, but your text went right over my head. Too sophisticated for me I guess! :smile:

Thanks,
Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Michael R Reynolds on September 3, 2011 at 1:37 PM
Chris,
For me the pastel colors in the water really make the image by creating the contrasting textures. To my eye, the sky seems just a touch too dark, but not to the point of being distracting. Did you darken the sky in post-processing? Still, you gotta love this image. Best Regards.
Registered on February 26, 2008, 54 Posts, 812 Comments