Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
The Quandry
‹ PreviousLandscape GalleryNext ›

The Quandry

by Morris McClung

Gallery: LandscapePosted September 18, 2011328 views24 comments
The question is, "Is it fall yet in the high country?" For some life below Quandry Peak (another 14'er here in Colorado) the answer is yes. For most, it is no. Another week could make a lot of difference.

comments and critiques always welcome, and thanks for looking,

Morris

Comments

24 comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on September 18, 2011 at 5:04 PM
Well, if you're not limited to one stab at it, then it doesn't really matter, does it? I'm heading out to the Eastern Sierra first week of October, hope the timing is as good as last year. I hope you can check back here again next week. The foreground is very nicely colored right now though. But if the distant yellows intensify, that would be nice. Oh yeah, a fresh dusting of snow on the peak wouldn't hurt none either!

Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on September 18, 2011 at 5:44 PM
Excellent framing. Nice shot Morris.
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on September 18, 2011 at 6:01 PM
Nice shot Morris. A beautiful place and you captured it well with this comp. It does look like fall starting. I could see a small crop off the bottom just to eliminate the dark area, but you might prefer it better this way. Just a thought as it works well as is. This looks like it would be a great place to spend a couple of days!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on September 18, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Beautiful colors, perfect serenity, The light trail across the water is pretty special
Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments
Comment posted by Bruce King on September 18, 2011 at 7:54 PM
I like the near to far comp with the water connecting the two. Nice colors also.
Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Reed on September 18, 2011 at 8:13 PM
50's postcard feel. I like it. :toast:
Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on September 18, 2011 at 9:19 PM
Morris, I think you have a strong foreground here. However, although this is nice I'm afraid the composition doesn't hold up to your best work. The framing of the trees feels a bit forced if that makes sense and just doesn't work for my tastes. Your posts from this trip over on RMNP were spectacular so I suppose that raises the bar very high.

I hope the fall color starts to show up soon as I have planned a trip in the Crested Butte area at the end of September. I'm holding my breath for color. I have a narrow window of time during which I can take time off from work so I am limited on my choices.
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on September 18, 2011 at 11:18 PM
Thanks everyone :wavey:
Chris, that happened Friday night and Saturday with the dusting, but the peaks were clouded over on my return trip Saturday.
Nick, I will try that crop.
Brian, thanks for the critique and I hope you have great weather and fall conditions on your trip.
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Russell Colletta on September 18, 2011 at 11:21 PM
Very nice introduction to a new season Morris. Looks like a taste of things to come. I like your framing, all the elements have their space without stepping on each other and I wouldn't leave any of them out. It also has a serene feel to it. Nice shot.
Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments
Comment posted by Sarah Marino on September 19, 2011 at 1:03 AM
Hi Morris - I think you found the one colorful plant in the state of Colorado! Generally, I like the framing here but wish the tree on the left were bare and without the twigs sticking out. Otherwise, nice work.
Registered on November 10, 2008, 23 Posts, 393 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on September 19, 2011 at 5:00 AM
Gorgeous, Morris. :toast:
Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on September 19, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Very pretty Morris. I'm so envious of you guys that enjoy early autumn color - still a couple of months away here. Nicely composed.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Andreas Resch on September 19, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Looking at the thumbnail I wasn't too sure, but now I really like this one. Lovely framing and use of the foreground.
Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on September 19, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Interesting, no one seems to mind the branches intruding on the peak--i find them very distracting. But i guess that's just me! Otherwise, I really like this.
EDIT: Ok, i see Sarah noticed...well, she's right :biggrin:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on September 19, 2011 at 2:33 PM
This has a nice contrast of color and tone. It works for me. My only minor nit is the dead branches on the left hand tree that are intruding on the mountain and the sky. This has a nice atmospheric look that I really like.

--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on September 19, 2011 at 2:57 PM
I think that's called Fireweed and I can see why. Great red colors mixed with nice fresh green grass. I see nothing was going on in the sky so it was a good idea to use the trees as a frame. Lovely image.
Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on September 19, 2011 at 11:00 PM
So, how does everyone feel about the twigs sticking off of the tree on the left? :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
I'm going to check next time, and if they are dead, I'm breaking them off! :jump:
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on September 20, 2011 at 8:03 AM
Ahhhh fall, can't wait Morris. I like what you framed up here and very interesting plants in the fg. There is some nice harmony going on in this scene.

Thanks for sharing
Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on September 20, 2011 at 1:40 PM
No, no, Morris--if they're dead--set them on fire! I think flaming branches over Quandry would be wicked--almost biblical... :wink: :biggrin:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on September 20, 2011 at 2:29 PM
No, Stan, that's moving into Anthony Vincent's territory. Remember his fire and ice shot a couple of years ago?
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Pelton on September 20, 2011 at 9:16 PM
Very well put together. Love the 3 distinct layers; really draws me all the way through to the mountains.
Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Minish on September 21, 2011 at 12:18 AM
An interesting composition and it works well for me! I like the framining of the mountain and the contrasting bright colors of the foreground vegetation. Very nice, Morris!
Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Clothier on September 21, 2011 at 1:03 PM
Nice composition Morris, the branches are a bit of a distraction, IMO, otherwise I really like the scene.
Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments
Comment posted by Taylor Reed on September 21, 2011 at 2:38 PM
Interesting, creative composition.. it looks like some minor haloing around the trees, but no biggie. Nice foreground!
Registered on February 18, 2010, 26 Posts, 556 Comments