Albine Eclipse

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 21, 2012361 views9 comments

Sunset during the partial solar eclipse here in Wyoming last night. I wanted something different to commemorate the occasion other than close up sun shots, as the eclipse was not full, only about 80 percent. I really thought the warmer low light being cast during the eclipse was pretty cool so I went the route of a full blown landscape, albino lupines and all. Not sure what they are really called, but the flowers appear to be lupines with little or no color pigmentation.

This area is fairly unique in Wyoming's lower elevations. Every other high plains area below 8k feet that I've found with lupines has TONS of sagebrush everywhere. This spot was burned out a half decade ago and the brush has not had a chance to fully recover, allowing for more lupines in greater density.

9 image blend for DOF and dynamic range. So lucky there was no wind!

Thanks for looking!

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on May 21, 2012 at 1:21 PM

Nick - Beautiful scene and blend job. The lower left blade of grass is a bit hot for me - I would prob. crop off the bottom just below the lupine so they don't compete with the flowers and sky. Difficult exposure but looks like you nailed it. Congrats

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on May 21, 2012 at 4:30 PM

Sweet photo. I agree with Harry, but the grass blade is a very minor nit.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on May 21, 2012 at 6:53 PM

This is a beautiful scene Nic. This has the look and feel of actually being there to me. Very nice work on the blend and getting a natural look. Cropping off just at the top of the bright blade of grass does work nice I think. Excellent image!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on May 21, 2012 at 7:53 PM

Exquisite back lit flowers Nicolaus. The subtle, realistic color also works well for me as dose the low perspective.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on May 21, 2012 at 10:07 PM

Sweet image, sweet light. Very strong comp.

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

Comment posted by Alex Mody on May 22, 2012 at 3:00 AM

Nice! I really dig this one. I'd echo the previous comments suggesting a slight crop from the bottom. It might be a pretty easy clone job, if that suits you better. That aside, there's no other critique that comes to mind. I'll take you up on that offer if I ever make it out your way, thanks! Times of Grace it is!

Registered on December 25, 2007, 163 Posts, 1896 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on May 22, 2012 at 9:40 AM

the light is special. The flowers are wyeth lupine, they can be white, pink, blue, or purple. Beautiful image, I like this composition a lot.

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

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on May 23, 2012 at 12:00 PM

I like the light, airy feel of this Nic. If it were mine I would try to burn down the highlights on the 3 blades of grass at the bottom of the frame as they tend to pull the eye a bit. Nice exposure control as well.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on May 24, 2012 at 10:41 AM

Thanks to those who provided feedback.

Here is the cropped version. I was on the fence about the grass myself. My wife liked it there, I did not. Felt it was distracting. This is a 5x7 ratio crop. Will be printing it fairly large for an upcoming gallery showing. Fun stuff.

Thanks again!

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments