Tufa Time

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 28, 2013335 views10 comments

The first time I made it to mono lake I only explored the south tufa preserve. I had such a magical sunset that I was so focused on that particular section of the lake. Knowing about navy beach and the other tufa formations, I decided to check this area out. The lake levels were much lower than last time so many of the comps I wanted to reshoot were impossible. The same thing seemed to be happening too. The clouds kept rolling in, all shapes and sizes and the sky was clear to the west. I was almost certain I would get lucky again with the light, but alas, the clouds moved in just before the light would explode and killed any hope for a dramatically colorful image. Was able to get some nice light just before the clouds covered the sun. Comments and critiques appreciated. Large version included.

Canon 7d
Tokina 11-16mm @11mm
f14
ISO 100
1/10 sec
CPL
Tripod

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Thomas Haney on April 28, 2013 at 10:59 PM

Very interesting composition Peter, and I really love the vividness of the yellow grass in the background. It's not a very visually impactful scene to me I guess, but not through any fault of yours. I think you did the best with what was there.

Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments

Comment posted by Glenn Tunaley on April 29, 2013 at 2:10 AM

I really like the comp and the yellow grass in the middle. I think I would like to see it just a tad bit darker in the middle third part of the image and maybe a little more contrast.

Registered on March 1, 2013, 19 Posts, 93 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on April 29, 2013 at 7:26 AM

Very strong compositionally, and the light on the grass is great. Dramatic and heavy sky too.

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Ted Gore on April 29, 2013 at 11:46 AM

Hey Peter, I really like your processing here. You have a style that I've noticed in your photos overall. Hard to pinpoint, but it's kind of a vintage thing, faded blacks. I like it, and I like the color of the brush and grass,. I think this image represents this area really well. nice job

Registered on April 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 149 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on April 29, 2013 at 2:13 PM

Thanks everyone. Looking back at the image I could probably darken it a bit and add some contrast as well. Definitely not what I was hoping for here, but the cloud formations were too good to pass up over the tufas.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on April 29, 2013 at 3:46 PM

I like this Peter! Really an interesting scene for me. The colors look great and those clouds are wonderful. The yellow in the grass really adds to the scene. Nice work on this...

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Nick Palmieri on April 29, 2013 at 7:44 PM

Very nice as presented.

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

Comment posted by Bill Reid on April 30, 2013 at 12:18 AM

Beautiful image Peter. Like the yellows in the middle and such unusual formations. Hope to see this area some day. Very nice scene.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on April 30, 2013 at 12:29 AM

Weird and really cool!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on May 1, 2013 at 1:23 PM

The middle part of the image seems a little bright to me, as others have mentioned, but still nicely done. This is one of my favorite areas around Mono Lake, but I find coming up with a good comp to be difficult. I also tend to avoid this area when there a lot of footprints (after a big wind event is best). I was at Navy Beach on April 11th (or the 4th?) and the sky looked very similar to what you have here. I was also hoping for a nice sunset, but the sky pretty much stayed gray.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments