Yosemite Chronicles #1

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 25, 2011558 views28 comments

Title: Cascading Geology

I'm sorry for having been away from the forum for so long. I finally have some new images to share and hope to be more active in the weeks to come.

Earlier this month I spent a few days in Yosemite for fall color (go figure.) We were blessed with a passing storm that dusted the valley in snow for 2 consecutive mornings. What was most amazing about this trip was the diversity of conditions where I felt like I was photographing Yosemite in fall, winter and spring, all in a matter of a few days, and in most cases, simply hours or just a couple miles apart between images of different seasons.

I want to share these images in order of capture, kind of chronicling things as they happened.

Technically this first image wasn't taken within the bounds of Yosemite NP, but was the first image of the trip. This, from a sheer rock wall that guards the Merced River canyon near El Portal. I've stopped here on countless occasions to either just stare, or many times, photograph the amazing patterns, textures and colors of this wall. And for the first time, I actually scrambled to the base of this wall and studied and felt with my hands, the texture and details, which gave me a whole new appreciation and wonder of our world and of this place.

I hope that comes through, if just a little in this image. Thanks for any comments and honest critique.

4x5, 210mm, V50, f/16 @1s

Thanks!

Lon

Comments

28 comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on November 25, 2011 at 4:31 PM

Lon: I like this composition, the colors, tone, and textures. But I'm having a difficult time seeing this as real. Not sure what is going on. Maybe over sharpening and/or all the edges seem to have a halo.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 25, 2011 at 4:31 PM

Hi Lon, Really nice to see another post from you, and this one is fantastic! The colors are wonderful and that textured feel really came through. Maybe it helped just because you went up and felt it, and somehow that came through! This is a beautiful image!!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Barry Ashenhurst on November 25, 2011 at 4:34 PM

It comes through Lon. Damn near broke my monitor.

Registered on August 4, 2009, 253 Posts, 455 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 25, 2011 at 4:39 PM

Peter,

Thanks for the comment. I can certainly understand your interpretation, especially without some context or not having been there yourself. Other than color accuracy, which is all subjective anyway, this is pretty accurate. Maybe this image will help with context. The blue/gray area to the left of the linked image is the same as my post here. Hope that helps you, and perhaps some others.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on November 25, 2011 at 4:55 PM

Ah yes, finally something new from you! I have been waiting for it. As usual, there is not much to critique in terms of composition. No nits here! The warm orange works great with the blue, the texture and details look great. It is fun to explore it all. I also like the cascades - this resembles a waterfall for me.

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on November 25, 2011 at 6:29 PM

I love rock and stone. There's something eternal about it. The colors and textures here are wonderful and the weathered surface forms patterns that amaze. Very nice, I look forward to more.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on November 25, 2011 at 6:34 PM

The large image gives me goosebumps - this is just spectacular Lon! Absolutely one of your finest IMO.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on November 25, 2011 at 7:08 PM

Beautiful cascade of color and light Lon. Glad to see new work from ya. I am enjoying the abstract qualities here and can't wait for more.

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

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on November 25, 2011 at 11:58 PM

Good to see a post from you, Lon. And a nice start of a continueing trip.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Crich on November 26, 2011 at 5:28 AM

As a geologist by discipline I understand exactly what you felt. I like the way you selected the area to give a sense of flow towards the brc and of course the contrasting warm and cool colors are very nice. I look forward to seeing more from the trip.

Registered on May 6, 2005, 12 Posts, 74 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pederson on November 26, 2011 at 8:25 AM

Great colors and textures. Reminds me of ice rather than stone. Good job.

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

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on November 26, 2011 at 10:11 AM

I really like shots like this Lon, colours look great and your exposure looks spot on. It's a nice chunk of rock face.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 26, 2011 at 10:21 AM

Sweet, Lon. Keep practicing. You'll be ready for Coyote Buttes soon.

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

Comment posted by Tom Haxby on November 26, 2011 at 10:38 AM

I really like this image a lot and it would look great printed large and hanging on a wall. The lines, textures and subtle colors are fantastic.

Registered on July 6, 2006, 126 Posts, 647 Comments

Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on November 26, 2011 at 12:43 PM

Gorgeous textures, Lon, and I love the blue/gray color

Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on November 26, 2011 at 1:17 PM

Love the textures here Lon. And I like the contrast between the blue/grey rocks and the rust colored streaks. Well seen!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on November 26, 2011 at 4:25 PM

Beautiful Lon in every way.

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

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on November 26, 2011 at 5:24 PM

A very interesting rock abstract, Lon. I also like the larger image from
which you got this. I have no suggestions for changes or improvements.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on November 26, 2011 at 11:00 PM

Loks like a cascasing ice flow to me - The reds mixed in with the blue works very well. Given there is a lot to see in the Yosemite Valley area, I'm glad to see something like this that I might not see elsewhere. It's such an iconic destination, your intimate views keep it fresh fo rme. Keep 'em coming!

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Hillary Younger on November 26, 2011 at 11:26 PM

Beautiful image of warm/cold contrasting colors and cascading textures...the link to the larger image gave it scale as well as context, otherwise it could have been a macro or an immense wall....either way, intriguing and a visual treat. thank you also for your helpful critique :~)

Registered on October 2, 2011, 17 Posts, 167 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 27, 2011 at 3:51 AM

Nice abstract, Lon--simple, but well presented. I look forward to more of your series!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Art Escobado on November 27, 2011 at 10:52 AM

subtle and effective - excellent job.

Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments

Comment posted by Sandipan Dutta on November 27, 2011 at 12:32 PM

Hi Lon,
Wonderful image. The textures and visible patterns on the rock wall along with nice blue hue make the image for me. I also like the way the orange lines contrast with blue colour of the wall.

- Sandipan

Registered on March 9, 2009, 171 Posts, 493 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on November 27, 2011 at 12:37 PM

What an awesome take on this location. As you know, I love this place, so this has special meaning for me.

I look forward to your new pictures from Yosemite.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on November 27, 2011 at 4:29 PM

Gorgeous study in tone, lines, and patterns. A quiet and beautiful abstract.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on November 28, 2011 at 12:00 AM

Amazing image, Lon, absolutely amazing. How you have created a sense of rock that appears to be literally flowing, is beyond me. Another example of your tremendous gift of seeing. Gorgeous work, simply gorgeous work.

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

Comment posted by Peter Richter on November 28, 2011 at 3:15 AM

Lon, I appreciate your minimalistic approach here. The predominance of cooler shades helps me to follow the flow of warmer tones. I think you did great work extracting this composition.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on November 28, 2011 at 1:06 PM

Welcome back, Lon! While not a wow factor image, I still like it a lot. It has your touch for sure....a definite good thing! The colors are a great combo. Looking forward to more.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments