Light Painted/ With Edits

I really like the contrasts in the lower 2/3's and subtle colors in the upper portion Chris. A different and very beautiful view of Yosemite.

I gotta find a good excuse to get back there. Visited Yosemite in the early 90's when our oldest son (now 22) was in his "waterfall phase" (probably six at the time). Combined the trip with a visit and family trip with my sister and her family who live in the east bay area. There ya go! Found my excuse....... visit my sister and go to Yosemite with some real camera equipment.....

I'm with Eva on this. The contrasts really make the scene (for lack of a better word) pop, visually.

Chris, I like your composition with the emphsis on the verticals in the rock face as well as in the trunks, together with the more chaotic pattern of the delicate twigs. The reflection at the bottom anchores the image well in my opinion and the subtle colors in the background really bring it to life for me.

Peter

nice layers here - as sharp as ever. i like the colour but wouldn't mind seeing this as a well-crafted b&w as well??

This is very beautiful Chris! I like the golden color of the ganite, it makes and excellent contrast to the lower 2/3rds of the composition. I also like the overall structure - very simple, divided into three (or four) main sections.

Very nice golden colours on the rock and as mentioned lovely contrasts.

Gary.

I really enjoy this photo, the coffee like rocks tones combine nicely with the whites of the trees. Reminds me some of Charlie Cramer's shots from that area. Nicely done.

Lovely image. The light on the wall is wonderful. Bet it made you grin when you saw it.

Nice, Chris--the copper,black,white are a great combo here!

What a beautiful sight! Nice light and color. Did you take any verticals? Wonder what it would look like with a little more of the reflection. I really like the contrast of the dark trees with white snow against the warm rock.

El Cap sure makes a great background. The light on the base of the cliff really helps define the shapes of the trees. Nice image, Chris!

This is really nice, Chris! A beautiful background for the snow covered trees. The colors in the rock look fantastic.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

I am really enjoying this image. I love the horizontal sections; the river, snow, trees, and rock face. It seems like this doesn't bother anyone else, but to me it feels everything is leaning to the right and would benefit from a CCW correction.

Very nice image Chris. I like the fresh coating of snow on the trees and the golden light in the background. The larger version is outstanding.

Beautiful Chris. Great color combination and pleasing composition. The snow on the trees adds so much to the image. A winter wonderland for sure.

Ah, how could I forget this moment Chris? You firing away as the fleeting light danced on the face of El Cap... while I stood and watched after putting me gear away... Sure glad you were able to capture this.

What I find very, very interesting now knowing that I stood there and watched this, is that this presentation isn't necessarily registering with my memory. Not quite sure how to explain this and I'm really curious now to understand if it has to do with the idea that two (or more) photographers can witness the same thing and come away with not only different images, but different impressions?

Don't get me wrong Chris, I love the image and think this is beautiful. If I was to comment/critique something as it relates to what I'm thinking, is the light on El Cap seems too bright, to "hard;" almost like it's the rock coloration rather than light? Maybe the light hitting the wall is too white and not warm enough? Like I said I can't quite put my finger on it. I think this would be a great candidate for TK's Lights Triple Play to tone down the brightness on the wall.

Then again, it all could just be in my own mind....

Lon

ps. Chris, drop me a note if you want to see my interpretation.

Fantastic, Chris. With those superb layers and contrast, this would be superb without the light on the wall. But that light just bumps this up to another level, gently backlighting those trees. While I could seeing warming that light a bit and perhaps trying to bring out some detail in the rock in that area of light to some degree, I really like this as it stands. A beautiful 'moment in time' image.
Really hope, Chris, that you have your name on the wait list at B&H (or somewhere) for a D800. You need to get one. No, you have to get one.

Thanks everybody!

Lon,
I think you are seeing it right. But, It's not that the light on the granite is too bright necessarily. It might be a bit brighter than it was at the time. But more so, I think the surrounding areas in the frame were a little darker. I passed on processing this one until now because it just didn't grab me enough to go to the trouble. It just seemed sort of flat. So When I was culling old un processed raws the other night, I came across it and decided to see what I could do with it. In the end, the brightness and contrast were boosted, and then some selective burning here and there to try and optimize the depth in the scene. I think it might be bordering on too contrasty, but????? I do think you are also right about two people standing in the same place watching the same thing and coming away with different images and or impressions. I think this whole scene was just somewhat more subtle than this presentaion is. I would love to see you take on it. You can post it here if you'd like, or send me an e-mail.

Vance,

Thanks! not on a waiting list yet, but I'm keeping an eye out for some more information with user reviews. I'm not so sure it sounds like the camera for me. I like the big resolution, but not sure how the IQ at higher iso will be with all thos little pixels crammed onto that sensor. It does look very nice and fills all but one of my criteria for an upgrade. Just don't want to end up unhappy because it's too much for me to handle. I also here all that resolution is going to expose any weakness in technique and quality of glass!!!! The price sure seems to be pretty good considering the improvements from the D700. In the end, I think I'd go for the D3X, or D4, if price was no consideration of course! 20-24 MP full frame with higher iso capability and a faster frame rate with dual card slots good video and sensor cleaning, 100% viewfinder and virtual horizon with the in camera dynamic range blending all for around 3 grand and I'd be a happy camper!!!

Spectacular light on the granite wall and excellent mid-ground detail.

Chris,

Thanks for taking my comments in stride. There really is a LOT to be said about individuals witnessing the same thing and coming away with different impressions and renditions. I think that's something to pursue for those who are interested.

....anyway, here's my rendition. Of course I'm not starting with the original pixels, so ignore any sharpening or quality issues. But the bright area is considerably toned down and also a bit warmer. I can't say that even this version depicts the moment, only that it depicts my interpretation after the fact. The bottom line is that this is a beautiful "moment," classically Yosemite and I think very worthy of maximizing the potential of this image.

BTW, I used TK's Light's Triple Play and an additional "Bright Lights" luminosity mask as well as a hue/sat adj layer to tweak things to my personal taste. I ended up masking out the trees and snow since that looked good to start with so I didn't want to mess with that.

Lon

Lon,

Thanks. I think what you have done is better. I think it looks slightly less bright overall as well, and that looks good too. While I like the contrast/range of difference between the bright spot and it's surroundings in my version. I like the color and texture in yours. I think the raw file is a little brighter than yours, but less than mine. As my eyes adjust to it, there is still plenty of difference in the light to stand out nicely. So, in the end, I'll make an adjustment in the direction you went.

I didn't actually dodge that area. I made my adjustments using curves in ACR, and a second time once opened in photoshop.

Yeah, there is a lot to be said about individual takes on things we witness and photograph. We pretty much have to go by memory when the processing starts. Or, just go with what resonates as "normal" to our mind's eye. But beyond that, I think with at least some images if not all of them, it's about how we see what it can potentially be as a final processed image. I think that is where a lot of differences in personal taste and artistic vision come into the process. Also, workflow and processing skill are a big factor. I don't very often try and take a dull or uninteresting image and say to myself I can make it good/pretty in photoshop. I started out thinking this image needed a little extra something, but your rendition shows me that it really doesn't. I do think a little spice is good for just about every image. Sometimes a lot if you are a garlic lover!!!!!!!

Chris

Here is the unedited raw file converted to jpg, just for kicks. Yje only thing about it was that it was underexposed slightly to keep the spot light in check. White balnce was recorded at 5550.

It's a pretty scene, Chris. I like how the snow unravels the chaos of the tree branches a bit. I also like the color you were able to pull out of the RAW file. Agree that bringing down the highlights and adding texture to this light areas is an improvement.

Beautiful Chris,love the sweet light on El capitan. The fresh snow on the trees tops it off for me. Great job on your cover shot and photos in the Sierra H. Magazine, they were all spectcular.

Thanks Kyle!

I had a few images submitted for that winter photo essay. I was in high hopes that at least one of them would be selected. The cover was a huge suprise! A copy of the edition was sitting on the christmas tree when I arrived home after being out of town for work that week. A very nice surprise for sure.

For those of you that may not know. What we are referring to is the February edition of Sierra Heritage Magazine. I have the cover, and three images included in the winter photo essay, along side a few other photogs, some of whom the names should be familiar! I'm very excited about it as it is my first publication.

Chris

It's a beauty! I like the intricacy of the tree branches contrasting with the vertical straight lines drawn by the geology...