Sheltered

Large Version Available

I bailed early toward the end of a backpack trip this past July in CA Trinity Alps due to oppressive heat around 100 deg., even at 7,000 ft.  I am not a warm weather person, and the solo trip meant I was hauling everything.  There was rarely a cloud in the sky, and I remember scouting for objects of shade such as a boulder or tree to stop and drink.  I decided to escape the heat and headed for the coastal fog and redwoods for some relief.  The weather was much more to my liking.  No great foggy conditions,but a beautifully peaceful experience none the less.  Saw very few other hikers along the trails of Prairie Creek State Park in northern CA where this was taken.

I saw this as more of a BW interpretation - though it simplified the scene more.  Maybe still a bit too busy though a larger print might allow a viewer to make sense of all of the details.  It amazes me how much detail and dynamic range these camera sensors can grab in 1/6 of a sec.

Curious if you all think it is too busy.  

Nikon D810, 16-35mm, polarizing filter, ISO 200  2 exposures, one general exposure, and another to control flare/contras

NOTE:  Both versions appear a bit less sharp than the files do prior to upload, but I'm hesitant to sharpen more for fear of overdoing it.  I've increased the sharpening more than usual as is, don't want it too crunchy.  Sorry about that.

A more appropriately sharpened version can be found HERE