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Lund's Gulch Trail
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Lund's Gulch Trail

by Craig Myers

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted September 4, 2011230 views7 comments
Meadowdale County Park in Snohomish County, WA, features a trail that drops about a 500 feet from a parking area through woodlands on either side of Lund's Creek to a beach on the Puget Sound. The trail is pretty gradual for most of its 1-1/4 mile length. But there is a fairly steep portion about 0.4 of a mile from the top. The trail has been widened in this section and enhanced with a series of steps to make the trail more easily negotiated, as it is particularly slippery when wet, a trademark condition around here. This is a recent image shot on a dry day when the sun was in and out of clouds and creating some interesting light as it filtered through the arboreal canopy. The image was processed in Nik CEP 3, using the tonal contrast and low key filters. Canon EOS 5D Mk2; 1.3 sec @ f/25; 70mm; ISO 200; 70-200 f/2.8L; tripod; cable release.

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Paul Duval on September 4, 2011 at 11:40 PM
Craig,

A really cool trail.but with the steps it looks like a heartbreaker to me. Even though you say it's dry, it still has a "wet' feel. Must be the mud on the wood steps. I really like the creative way you got your signature in the frame.

Paul

Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments
Comment posted by Barbara Graham on September 5, 2011 at 6:28 AM
Craig, with the image positioned so that the bottom of it is at the bottom of my screen I feel like I'm there.
Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy de Flon on September 5, 2011 at 2:56 PM
Craig, I also enjoy photographing "manmade" paths in nature and so was glad to see your post. I like the way the stairs and railing lead the viewer from the bottom right to the top left of the photo, and you've got great detail in the steps. As Barbara said, you feel as if you're a hiker about to embark up those steps!
Registered on June 28, 2010, 61 Posts, 284 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on September 5, 2011 at 7:04 PM
The linear pattern of the steps and rails makes a nice contrast with the chaotic greens and the rocky dirt path. Looks like a real challenge when wet.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on September 5, 2011 at 8:22 PM
I agree with Barbara's comment. The POV makes the viewer feel like he/she's in the image, about to ascend the steps.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Minish on September 6, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Looks like taking this photo was a good excuse to rest for a minute :wink: Nicely composed with the path curving from corner to corner plus the narrow aperture gave you great detail from front to rear. Good shot and a nice selection for the challenge, Craig.
Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments
Comment posted by Varina Patel on September 9, 2011 at 10:38 AM
The light is really nice, here, Craig! And I love the curve of the steps. The bottom of the image seems to be level - but the crooked tree trunks and fence posts at the top make the upper half seem to be tilted. And interesting effect - almost as though exhaustion was setting in as you climbed, making you feel a bit dizzy! This is really nice! Love the perspective and depth!
Registered on August 22, 2008, 45 Posts, 1578 Comments