Light Through the Valley

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 13, 2013422 views21 comments

Another image from Glacier. This was shot after shooting swiftcurrent lake and the falls and noticed this incredible light through the clouds. I rushed around the road and found a spot to quickly compose my shot. Almost every image I have seen from here includes the trees from the hillside opposite the road. I thought about hauling myself up there, but the day before we saw three grizzlies on the same slope, and I wasn't about to meet a bear for breakfast, I did see a few others up on the slope looking for the best gnarled tree (plus I wanted something a little different). The light didn't last long either. I managed two shots with the incredible light which I blended together. As always, comments and critiques appreciated.

Canon 7d
Canon 17-40mm @17mm
ISO 100
f14
1/5 sec & .8 sec
Tripod
CPL

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on August 13, 2013 at 6:29 PM

Sweet light indeed and the composition is classic!

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Evan Olson on August 13, 2013 at 6:41 PM

Great shot Peter. I may have to order one of these from ya:) That light is incredible. My only nit would be to add a tad more contrast to the mountain but it really is just fine the way it is

Registered on November 17, 2012, 31 Posts, 70 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on August 13, 2013 at 6:46 PM

Thanks David and and Evan!

Evan, the print version does have some added contrast, but I can always add more.

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

Comment posted by Sairam Sundaresan on August 13, 2013 at 6:49 PM

Truly the light makes this image. It's great that you were able to capture it, and you've done a fantastic job blending too!

Registered on March 14, 2013, 100 Posts, 643 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on August 13, 2013 at 6:58 PM

My favorite from your trip! Beautiful light and superb 'development'. I especially like how the dark cloud contours almost mirror the mountain's contours. May be one of your best, period!

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 13, 2013 at 7:13 PM

What wonderful light this is!! The image is beautiful.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on August 13, 2013 at 7:27 PM

Thanks guys!

John, this was probably one of the images I was most happy to come home with. It's up there with my favorites from the trip and the light was probably the best I had the entire time (unique wise). I've only shared a small fraction of what I shot. Though I probably won't post them all here. Probably 3 or 4 more. Whenever I get this type of light, the image always seems to do well, so hopefully any suggestions will help me fine tune it for print.

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

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on August 13, 2013 at 7:33 PM

This looks really nice, Peter. I like the soft warm glow on the landscape topped with the dramatic clouds. This is nicely composed as the curve in the river leads my eye to the distant peak.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on August 13, 2013 at 8:52 PM

Beautiful image, very painterly looking. The light is sweet, nice leading line and very dramatic sky.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on August 13, 2013 at 10:17 PM

Works for me. And the curve of the river stays in frame :) Woop!

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Warren on August 13, 2013 at 10:49 PM

Gorgeous, Peter. Amazing light and you capitalized really well. Congrats!!!

Registered on May 11, 2012, 84 Posts, 931 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on August 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM

I like this scene and you processed it very well per your style. Perhaps lighten the dark storm clouds just a very tiny bit to better match the lighting of the rest of your image?

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on August 14, 2013 at 12:27 AM

Thanks everyone!

Doug- I had tried that a few times, but what I kept noticing is that it started to lose the drama. I had lightened it a bit before as the horizon was still quite dark but had to add some contrast to it.

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

Comment posted by David Edwards on August 14, 2013 at 4:31 AM

Great capture of the warm light on the trees and river. The bg mountain and sky seems a bit pale in comparison, but it does force focus on the river and trees very nicely.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on August 14, 2013 at 9:08 AM

Killer shot Peter. This has so many nice elements and they're composed masterfully. The centered light is so warm and nice. I love everything about this.

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

Comment posted by Tony Prower on August 14, 2013 at 10:34 PM

Very impressive light and well balanced composition.

Registered on February 5, 2012, 24 Posts, 167 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on August 15, 2013 at 3:28 PM

Very magical light. I love this one, it has the feel of a dream, or a grand adventure. Very nice

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

Comment posted by Phillip Noll on August 15, 2013 at 11:07 PM

Love the warm tones and that dark sky! Great image, Peter!

Registered on November 17, 2003, 207 Posts, 1083 Comments

Comment posted by Shantikara Valuska on August 17, 2013 at 5:27 AM

What a wonderful image! And this beautiful soft light. Magical. Really love it.