Alone Again, Naturally

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 5, 2015186 views9 comments

Ok, if you're old enough (not that old,) you'll know how corny this title is. My first title was "Valley View Grab shot." Photographing in Yosemite Valley can be a dizzying experience. I mean there is about an 11mile loop that is mostly one-way that goes around, in and out the valley. Typically we find ourselves making this loop multiple times during the day, chasing timing of light and conditions. I almost always stop at the last pullout which is Valley View - or Gates of the Valley. But I rarely get out the camera for this classic view - been there done that. However, this little tree (which has been photographed numerous times by many, many people, including my partners in crime,) caught my attention on this day. The waning light on the bare tree and grasses made me go grab the camera and fire off a few images. Yep, a grab shot, no tripod. Hey, I'm shooting digital now, I can do that!

Anyway, thought I would put this up here for some comments, critique and suggestions.

Nikon D800E
Nikon 28-300VR @100mm
f/8 at 1/160, ISO 400
b/w conversion in PS, slight crop

Thanks!

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on December 5, 2015 at 2:37 PM

Beautiful B/W Lon. Love the detail in large view with hints of the background showing. Very inspiring . The only suggestion I have would be to burn the very bright rock btm left a tad. It appears brighter than the rest of the rocks and keeps pulling me there. Small nit on an outstanding image.

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

Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on December 5, 2015 at 7:08 PM

Gorgeous B&W. The low angle light feels just right to give the feeling of "end of the day", and the detail is truly beautiful.

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 5, 2015 at 7:17 PM

I like this a lot--very graphic. I do think I'd like to see just a hint more detail in the forested background and the dark areas of the river. I agree with burning down that bright stone on the left. I like the details in the naked tree and the willows.

--P

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on December 6, 2015 at 7:49 AM

Excellent use of the light, Lon. This looks perfectly exposed to me (with the minor suggestion to burn the rock on the left a bit as suggested by Gary). I like the light in the river and hint of tree reflection. Very nice.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 6, 2015 at 9:58 AM

Beautiful, Lon! I love the high contrast presentation. Real nice!

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

Comment posted by Bruce King on December 6, 2015 at 6:49 PM

Normally contrasty BW's don't appeal to me and there are a lot of nearly blocked shadows here but there is just enought detail in them to keep my interest. It appears to be a well thought out image even though it is a grab shot as you say. I find the reflection, one of not details but luminosity very interesting and it's what makes it work for me. Not sure if I've seen a BW from you.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Marylynne Diggs on December 6, 2015 at 10:48 PM

Ah yes, Gilbert O'Sullivan, I think it was. The stark contrast between tree and background, and the singular line of trunk reflected in the water make this one work for me. Sometimes it's because we have shot "everything else" there that we see something new. Nice job here.

I Agree on the bright rocks left and right of center in the fg.

Registered on December 14, 2010, 122 Posts, 1034 Comments

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on December 7, 2015 at 11:02 AM

The strong contrast works really well, Lon! I have no problem with the bright rock, I like this as is presented. The reflection of the tree with the horizontal gradient to both sides is very nice too.

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 7, 2015 at 8:02 PM

Thanks for the comments everyone. I agree about the bright rock, and maybe eve more detail in the bg. Not sure if anyone else feels like this, but the less effort I put in to capturing the image, the less inclined I am to put a great deal of time in to the image. Of course, haven't been doing this digital thing very long, so I'm sure things will evolve.

Appreciate your comments and taking time.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments