In The Cathedral

Thanks so much for the feedback on the previous photo. Its one of my favorite from this trip.

So I continued to wander the meadow just letting the light lead me around. I made a couple more exposures which did not turn out how I had envisioned, and then ended up in the Cathedral Grove of Black Oaks on the west end of the El Capitan meadow. For years I have brought workshop clients into that grove and pointed out interesting, or at least what I thought were interesting compositions. Most often the clients don't see it my way and try something else.

This year, not having any clients, I thought I would take my own advice finally and make this photo. Its not unique as a concept, and most probably not even as an actual photo. I think Michael Frye might have even done this, if I recall correctly, but I wanted to have a go at it and I think it has turned out to my liking.

What strikes me about this grove is how the oaks there arch overhead and toward each other forming an almost dome like structure that really does give the feeling of standing in a cathedral. However now its not a cathedral of Man's making in praise of the Creator, but one of the Creator for us to stand in and realize the greatness of what we have in the handiwork of the Creator. I hope that is not to religious for folks here, this place does bring me a sense of great awe.

4x5, Nikkor 75mm, f45, 1/4 sec, Fuji Provia 100F. Developed in CS5 with TK luminosity and saturation masks.