Pillars of the Sun Redux

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 12, 20142,918 views19 comments

This is a reedit of an image I shot a few years back in the Oakland Hills. The original post was received pretty well. There were a few suggestions though. Too much shadow recovery on the two main trees, too cool color temp in the sunbeams, and too hot highlights down the vertical center between the two main trees.

So Here it is with those things in mind. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

D200,
18-70mm,
1sec, F/9.5
Thanks
Chris

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on April 13, 2014 at 12:13 AM

Chris, I never saw the first version, but I like this one a lot. I can only imagine the tough technical challenge of this composition. Great work. It's cool to know that you can always go back and apply new techniques. I think if this were mine, I might try to darken the tree between the back lit trees slightly and work some on the halo's along the bark lines. Pretty sweet as is.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on April 13, 2014 at 12:24 AM

Wonderful graphic qualities and spectacular light Chris! The rays are especially nice. I see Gary's point about the halos on the edges of the trees, but I don't believe they are halos in the normal sense of halos caused by sharpening but more due to position / comp. None-the less I think this is a fabulous image.

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

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on April 13, 2014 at 12:54 AM

I like the light you had and the bold shapes. I think a step back or two might have looked good with a tad thinner trunks.

Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on April 13, 2014 at 3:10 PM

An amazing and convincing composition for me, Chris.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on April 13, 2014 at 7:01 PM

To me these are probably some of the toughest scenes to get right. For me exposure is a real challenge on these areas. This is exceptional all the way around, Chris.

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

Comment posted by Sairam Sundaresan on April 14, 2014 at 5:00 PM

those light beams look otherworldly Chris! Awesome shot!

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

Comment posted by Jared Warren on April 14, 2014 at 5:16 PM

Wow, Chris, I love this. A very strong image. Great light, comp and processing. Congrats!

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

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on April 14, 2014 at 9:11 PM

Reminds me of the twin towers, also buck teeth. ( I did hit my head a lot as a child )
Wonderful contrasts, mood, and processing!

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 14, 2014 at 10:05 PM

This looks very good, Chris. The dynamic range is striking with some nice textures seen in the center tree's bark in the larger version and of course the lovely rays of sun.

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

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on April 15, 2014 at 4:10 AM

I really quite enjoy these high contrast yet subtle images that reveal / don't reveal all in one image. The light spill around the edge of those trees is beautiful.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on April 16, 2014 at 12:31 AM

A real beauty Chris!

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on April 16, 2014 at 6:24 PM

Wonderfully done graphic tree portrait.

Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on April 16, 2014 at 7:34 PM

Chris, I really like this! I think your comp works very nice and I just love the light in this scene.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on April 17, 2014 at 2:06 AM

seems good to me. can't remember the original but everything working well here.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 17, 2014 at 4:26 PM

Very evocative - congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on April 18, 2014 at 10:55 AM

Congrats on the WP for this image, Chris. Very nicely done.......

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on April 18, 2014 at 7:34 PM

Wow! Thanks, I appreciate that.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Paul DeCesare on April 20, 2014 at 4:28 AM

Great control of light. Congrats Chris!

Registered on August 31, 2007, 29 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on April 20, 2014 at 3:23 PM

Simple but incredible light! Nice Chris!

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