Five Stones +1

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 28, 2013228 views11 comments

Five stones plus one in the Merced River, Yosemite Valley.

Initially, I had converted this color image to B&W, but preferred the hints of color as presented here. I did crop this a bit from the bottom and the right side.

The backlight was a bit of a challenge, since the dynamic range of color transparency is rather small. So, I opted to expose for the mid-tones in the rocks and processed the image accordingly.

Hindsight always being 20-20, I should have used a color negative film (Kodak Portra-160) which has a much wider dynamic range.

I thinks this works pretty well, as-is, but am curious as to your thoughts on it.

Chamonix 4x5
Nikkor-M, 300mm
Astia 100F
October 2013

Please see the large version. Thanks.

Your comments/critiques are always appreciated.

--P

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on November 28, 2013 at 1:46 PM

Nicely seen Preston. I like the juxtaposition of elements here.

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on November 28, 2013 at 2:20 PM

A very nice take and a bit unique scene along the Merced, Preston. Perfect placement of the reflection amongst the rocks too. Looking at the thumbnail one would immediately get the look and feeling of a B&W, however, this seems to fit the color version here quite well. I do think it could go with a little more web sharpening, but obviously not a big deal there at all. Have a good T-day also.......

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on November 28, 2013 at 6:59 PM

Preston: I thought this would be B&W from the thumbnail so I was pleasantly surprised to see the hints of color. Really well seen, composed and captured. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 28, 2013 at 10:20 PM

Preston, I think you came up with a wonderful composition here. Really nice use of the reflection and what it added to this scene.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on November 28, 2013 at 11:07 PM

I love this one, Preston!

The upside down trees in the reflection look cool. Also enjoy the starkish pallete.

Did you show me this already, or something similar with a fighter view?

Chris

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on November 28, 2013 at 11:19 PM

Chris wrote: "Did you show me this already, or something similar with a fighter view? "

No, this image is very recent and hasn't been posted before today. I believe the one you saw was from the summer at the tarns up at Tioga Pass. Was it this one?

Thank you for your comment, and also to the others who have commented!

--P

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on November 29, 2013 at 1:40 AM

preston - i like this - it tends towards an abstraction. I wonder about a slightly lower perspective/a pano - to eliminate the sky which would enhance further that feeling of an abstraction. that's what appeals to my eye in any case - the geometry of the rocks against the colour and 'fuzziness' of the BG.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on November 29, 2013 at 9:12 AM

Preston I find this interesting, and pleasant to view, definitely like the touches of color and reflections. Beautifully seen and presented.
John

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on November 29, 2013 at 10:22 AM

Other than the fact that you can't count, nice image. It has a fine abstract look to presenting the big wall.

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on November 29, 2013 at 2:56 PM

Yes, that was the one. Very nice on both accounts.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on November 29, 2013 at 3:36 PM

This is neat, Preston. It has a wonderfully serene, even meditative feeling with all the clean lines including the reflections and the almost b&w presentation.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments