Yosemite Moments #18

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 20, 2012329 views26 comments

This series may seems like it keeps going and going, but in real time, 4 days goes by like a wink of the eye. I know you all know what I'm talking about; I wish I was still there. Now it's the last day of our trip to Yosemite back at the beginning of November. Chris if off finding is own stuff (or snoozing in the Jeep,) Preston's enjoying his morning coffee in camp, Kyle had to leave the night before and so Youssef and I ventured out in to El Capitan Meadow on our own.

I mentioned early on in the series that I was determined to photograph the grasses of the meadows in Yosemite. As I'm sure most of you have experienced, it's one thing to photograph whatever comes along and strikes your eye, it's an entirely different thing to have a subject in mind and try to seek that subject out. Well, here is the next in a few more grass images coming up. I'm pretty happy with this one.

Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions. I appreciate all the comments during this series.

Chamonix 4x5, Nikkor 300mm, Velvia 50, f/45 @8s
Tony Kuypers masks and actions.

Many thanks!

Lon

Comments

26 comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on December 20, 2012 at 11:40 PM

Love the detail in the larger version here, Lon. I also really like how you've captured this scene splitting the two areas of grass in the FG & BG with the hoar frost covered grasses in the middle. Almost the perfect dividing barrier or contrast split zone. At first looking at the larger version and scrolling up & down I thought maybe a slight crop from the bottom, but after playing with for a bit I think not. Looks dead on to me.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 21, 2012 at 12:13 AM

I think this is the nicest one of the 'Grasses' series. Lon. It has a nice balance of color and tone. My only minor nit are the three or four small black plant stalks--they grab my eye. That's minor, though. This is a nicely composed and processed image. The larger version should be seen: The detail is really something.

Well done!

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by INGOMA on December 21, 2012 at 12:26 AM

Beautiful work, Lon. I love the layering here and how the foreground layer softly transitions into the frost covered grasses.

Registered on July 2, 2004, 231 Posts, 3110 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on December 21, 2012 at 6:27 AM

Another excellent capture Lon, really like the way the grasses flow to the left, making for a well balanced composition, and the color is very natural, exactly what I would expect to see, yup, definitely like it. Beautiful work Lon. Oh, really like the mix of different grasses also.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on December 21, 2012 at 8:17 AM

Most people would consider grass to be a mundane subject, yet you captured and presented it beautifully. As was mentioned in a previous comment, I like how you framed this with the frost in the middle, giving this image depth and added interest. The details are excellent and the saturation is just right. Well done.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Cothran on December 21, 2012 at 8:24 AM

Lon - This is my favorite so far. Even though the subject matter is clearly recognizable, it takes on a soothing abstract character which is very calming and restful for the eye. I see almost a rainbow of subtle colors in the upper area. Sort of like dessert after a good meal. Whether it's hung in a doctor's waiting room, or at home on the wall, it will certainly still the nerves of anyone who gazes upon it.

Registered on December 5, 2012, 31 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on December 21, 2012 at 8:59 AM

Everything I wanted to say has been said, so I will content myself with saying I really like this, but I wish Preston hadn't mentioned the black stalks. Once I found them, I couldn't take my eye off them!

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

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on December 21, 2012 at 9:02 AM

This is really nice Lon, the detail in the larger version is very good! I agree with Preston about those few black stalks but they're minor for me as well. Maybe a clone for them?

What I really like about this though is the sense of movement conveyed here. Nicely seen!

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on December 21, 2012 at 9:20 AM

Wonderful layers of subtle color and motion Lon. Love all the delicate details as well.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on December 21, 2012 at 10:01 AM

I love these grass shots! Absolutely beautiful Lon!

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

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on December 21, 2012 at 10:16 AM

I believe that you showed another grass image a week or so ago. I prefer this one.
Because of the color, tones, lines, and textures, this one excells. There are also
some layered areas. It goes without saying that you certainly have a good eye.

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

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on December 21, 2012 at 10:18 AM

This looks absolutely super. I like the color layering here, this is really effective. So, this image combines not only some nicely texture grass scene, but has that color theme working on top of it. This makes this a pretty strong effort. Great to see such strong closing images to your series!

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

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on December 21, 2012 at 10:28 AM

This really is beautiful Lon. I especially like the added BG layer with its reds and greens. Wonderful image!!!

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 21, 2012 at 11:13 AM

Thanks for the comments, observations and insights. Funny, all the time spent scanning and processing, I never once "saw" those little black thingies in the grass. Just goes to show how we sometimes "can't see the forest for the trees..." I'll certainly consider those when I go to print, but apparently they didn't bother me from the beginning.

Some folks have noted in this one and in previous images about the frost in the grasses. There's no frost here - these grasses were as dry as popcorn. There clearly are different kinds and colors of grasses and processing to bring those things out has resulted in the appearance of frost, but that wasn't my intention. Knowing it wasn't cold enough for frost, and just like the little black things, it never occurred to me that it might look like frost.

I didn't mention in the original post, but this one is also one of my favorites from the trip. Top 5, maybe top 3. Toss up with #21 coming up after Christmas. Speaking of which, Happy Holidays everyone!

Lon

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on December 21, 2012 at 11:23 AM

Whoa! Without seeing what else you caught, I have to say this is the one! For this subject, it has elegance, detal, color and the frost. A great mix of good stuff. This is great!

I was a little long in the sleeping bag that morning. But I was aware of you two sneaking away!

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Grant Collier on December 21, 2012 at 12:45 PM

Really nice close up! Love the hint of white.

Registered on July 29, 2005, 73 Posts, 430 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on December 21, 2012 at 12:54 PM

I like the "sandwich" of lighter grasses in between the mid-toned ones. Lots of textures and subtle colors to enjoy in this one. Another fine one in your series, Lon.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on December 21, 2012 at 1:27 PM

Excellent sutbel layering, Lon. Fortunate that the lack of wind cooperated for 8 seconds exposure.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 21, 2012 at 4:57 PM

I love this! This really has a wonderful feel. The extra band of color across the top looks great! Really some nice work Lon.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 21, 2012 at 10:29 PM

Beautiful, Lon!! Great color layers, textures and detail. Sweet!

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

Comment posted by Nick Palmieri on December 22, 2012 at 7:18 AM

The colors, layers, and textures in this image are awesome. I found myself just spending time looking around and wanting to go back and look again. Sometimes I think an image like this is so simple...and sometimes I think "this is what the art of photography is all about". Thanks for sharing this great series!

Registered on September 1, 2011, 35 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on December 22, 2012 at 11:58 AM

This is beautifully balanced, nice complimentary colors and rich detail. In addition, I like the feeling that I sitting right there, with the dried grass softly sighing in a light breeze. (wish It were!)

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on December 22, 2012 at 12:29 PM

This is really lovely, Lon. The variety here is very nice, and it seems the frost was a necessary element to get this. Just love how such a lowly subject can end up looking so good.

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

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on December 22, 2012 at 1:51 PM

Lon,

Are you kidding me! This is pure magic. The colors, the patterns, the delicacy of the frost on the grass; all of it is just incredible. Something to strive for in future visits to the meadow, but now they will only be copies.

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

Comment posted by Justin Richardson on December 22, 2012 at 5:30 PM

WOW!! This has to be my favorite of your grass shots up to this point. Love the comp in this one, and the detail is just amazing. The frost sets it apart..

Registered on November 18, 2012, 28 Posts, 134 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on December 22, 2012 at 11:11 PM

Hi Lon

I always have loved grass scenes. but this one is very special to me. The detail and color of the layerd patterns is mesmerizing..the cool color tones in the center balance beautifully with the top and bottom. this is my favourite so far
Albert Darmo

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments