Windswept

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 4, 2015256 views10 comments

Sony A77
Sony SAL 16-50 @ 16mm, CPL
ISO 400. 1/250 @ f8
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP

I had never been to BCGNP so I decided to make a day trip from my base at Alamosa when I was visiting in November. I underestimated the amount of time it would take to get there so I missed sunrise and had pretty crumby light during the morning. As the afternoon approached clouds started to build up along with the wind. Found this old tree near the end of the south rim road and since old timers like this are favorite subjects I decided to work it over. The wind worked me over! Had to boost the ISO a bit to get enough SS to combat the movement of the tree and would wait for a lull to minimize motion blur. Also had to shoot between reaches up to my head to keep my hat from taking off never to be seen again. The clouds eventually organized to the east and dumped a fair amount of snow on my route back to Alamosa thus enhancing the adventure.

This was one of my favorite comps and the first image I've processed from the park. All comments welcome.>=))>

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 4, 2015 at 10:39 PM

Large version is superb Bill. Incredible amount of detail. Masterly composed & executed.

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

Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on February 5, 2015 at 9:16 AM

I agree with Bill - large version is must-see. I like the composition a lot, but for me what truly "makes" the picture is the light on the juniper's bark.

Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Falley on February 5, 2015 at 1:59 PM

Kudo's for pushing against Newton's first law and getting out of bed early! I like the sky and composition, though it is possible the Juniper, which is the anchor of the image could have been approached slightly closer at the same focal length. The clouds add a lot except on the left, where they are a bit washed out. Yes the sky is brighter in that direction! Color balance is always a personal choice these days of digichromes and no having been there I can't say what it was like, but it appears just a hint too yellow to my eye. Eye's vary!

This type of image has a lot of detail for the eye to feast on and give a great feeling of being there and works larger and larger!

Thanks for sharing! Regards: Tom

Registered on November 21, 2014, 189 Posts, 454 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on February 5, 2015 at 8:09 PM

Bill,

I love the richness of the colors in this capture, and the juniper tree is such a killer element of this sweet scene. The large version is inspiring and refreshing, and excellent work in photography.

Registered on February 20, 2007, 226 Posts, 4571 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on February 5, 2015 at 9:57 PM

Really sweet juniper, Bill. I think I agree with Tom that the green/yellows are a little strong. Lovely image from a rugged location.

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on February 6, 2015 at 3:57 PM

Nicely done, Bill. The light is very nice and you did a good job holding everything together. You might consider reducing the cyan in the sky just a bit. I love that tree.

--P

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

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on February 6, 2015 at 7:39 PM

Well Composed. Has a nice grace and flow to it.

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on February 6, 2015 at 11:43 PM

Great detail, beautiful light and color, and a gnarly old tree. Works very well for me!

Chris

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

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on February 7, 2015 at 8:07 AM

I am thoroughly enjoying your images from your trip. Think this is my favorite so far. Keep them coming.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on April 16, 2015 at 10:47 PM

Really nice. With the shape of the tree and its bold off center placement reminds me of some of those classic old Japanese landscape paintings. Somehow my eye would like a little less sky for a faux pano look.

Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments