Yosemite Chronicles #6

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 9, 2011302 views14 comments

Verticals. Within an hour or so of capturing #5 in the series, Chris and I stopped off at the Bridal Veil parking lot to check things out. I had noticed the bg fall color in years past and wanted to see if I could compose something. Bear in mind this is from a parking lot. Whilte composing this one of those GIANT tour buses unloaded in front of me. I was lucky enough the bus pulled ahead another 20ft so I didn't have to move my tripod... ;-)

The impression I had from this trip was the change in seasons within a matter of miles and minutes. Less than an hour before this image we were in a half foot of snow. Now, we're back in autumn backlighting....

I like the uniformity of the vertical trunks with the autumn colored background. I'm curious to hear if this works for anyone. Not one of the stronger images from this trip, but I wanted to show these as a series and in order.

Curious to hear your thoughts on color and processing.

4x5, 300MM, V100F, F/32 @ 1s

Up next: #7 Sring Greens

Thanks!

Lon

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on December 9, 2011 at 2:11 AM

A beautiful capture, Lon. What hits me first is the amazing detail in the tree trunks. Then I start to appreciate the light and colors of the bg, which really lift the image for me. Since there is no single focal point I find myself just enjoying the image on a graphic level and appreciating the overall forest atmosphere. The color looks very natural to me, and I really like the light on the bg yellows and greens. Processing is very sharp and clear. I can see some potential for a b&w too, perhaps with the red channel.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 9, 2011 at 9:27 AM

Lon, This works wonderfully for me.Your comp works great and I would not have thought you were in a parking lot!

I very much enjoy looking at the large version...its a beautiful photograph with fantastic detail. Only thing I can think of is that it might be nice if the yellow in the bg was just a bit brighter or had a little more glow. That is just me thinking and it is beautiful just as is. If this was a large print I probably would not even be thinking that. Excellent work imo.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 9, 2011 at 9:56 AM

When I first opened this, I had an immediate reaction of "nice, but......". However, the longer I look at it, the more I like it. Great job on getting full detail on the trunks without blowing out the background. The trunk detail and the contrast of the detailed dark forest with the bright background really make the image work for me. Not one of my all-time favorite Overackers, but a real nice image to sit back and enjoy.

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

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on December 9, 2011 at 10:31 AM

Nice trees.

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

Comment posted by Tom Hilton on December 9, 2011 at 10:45 AM

Lon,
You have taken a scene that I would not have even noticed and turned it into a first class image.

Registered on September 19, 2011, 68 Posts, 668 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on December 9, 2011 at 6:20 PM

The details in the trunks and branches are great. This reminds me of shots from "the masters" and makes me wonder what it would look like in b&w, especially since the colors in the background are muted.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on December 9, 2011 at 7:13 PM

Lon,

I know this already is Velvia, but I'd love to see those background colors more saturated. The trunks are fine as they are, just the background.

Yes, my Merced photo was taken on Swinging Bridge. Boy, I miss the place. RMNP is very beautiful, but it's not Yosemite.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on December 9, 2011 at 7:15 PM

I do like this, Lon. Not mindblowing in any sense, but it has a quiet charm about it and, like you, I enjoy the impression created by the strong vertical lines and the light on the trees in the background.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Jude Haase on December 9, 2011 at 10:23 PM

Beautiful capture Lon!!

Registered on April 3, 2006, 236 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Haxby on December 9, 2011 at 10:57 PM

I really like forest scenes and I think I would like to see this even bigger. It would really make you feel like you were in the woods. Even though I know it is a parking lot. Nice texture and detail on the trunk and that little hint of light coming through is a bonus, though it could be just a tad brighter. That however is a personal choice.

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

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on December 10, 2011 at 1:05 AM

Amazing textures, lovely comp, and excellent processing. Overall I think you did a fantastic job here Lon - not nits or suggestions.

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on December 10, 2011 at 7:04 AM

Lon, I like this. Especially the details in the trunk. The processing looks great to me.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 10, 2011 at 1:59 PM

Its real nice Lon, feels maybe a tiny bit underexposed to me, but otherwise very nicely presented.
I'm jaded, but ive seen so many of these forest scenes with the verticals and horizontal branch mixes that it takes something really exceptional to grab my attention and hold it. Not sure this has that 'X-factor' that id like to see, but it's definitely a keeper, and will work well in the series.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 10, 2011 at 3:42 PM

Thanks for the honest comments folks. I think Stan pretty much nails it. This certainly isn't an original concept and I agree this might not have an "x-factor," a nice image, nothing to write home about. I like the complicated simplicity about this and the bg color and I do agree it could use more pop. It was boosted quite a bit already, just stopped too soon.

I appreciate the honest critque.

Lon

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