Near Mt. St. Helens

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 27, 2017147 views3 comments

I photographed this scene last April along Route 504 overlooking the North Branch of the Toule River. Gray, dark, rain, and snow prevented us from observing the dormant volcano and surrounding features. This was one of the better days and I processed the scene to bring up some of the colors and contrast. I used Tone Mapping in the HDR Efex Pro 2 for darkening the sky and reduced the opacity of this layer down to 60 %. I bumped up the midtone contrast with a curves adjustment on the midtone luminosity mask and bumped up the lights and brought down the darks in similar fashion. Final adjustments to Brightness & Contrast was used to finish the image. K5 IIs 18-35 f1.8 set at 23 mm (1/30 sec at f7.1, Iso 100).

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on December 28, 2017 at 9:19 PM

Jim, I like this overlooking scene from this vantage point. For me the image is all about the RH side of the view. I especially like the layering and detail of the different tree groves leading toward the distant BG.
Had you given any thought to cropping in on the left and removing the tall FG trees? I might try that just for another look to this scene. Processing looks good overall.
Not sure if this area takes in the damage from the original volcanic disaster, if so it sure has healed wonderfully. I recall the event very well. I was helping my grandfather who was still alive at that time celebrate his 75th birthday.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 29, 2017 at 11:56 AM

Jim,

This scene reminds me very much of the Snake River overlook; the elevated view makes for a grand landscape. And the layer of clouds actually help hide this location. What I find unique about this are all the little "spouts" of fog or cloud remnants (same thin?) in the forested hills in the bg; almost like either smoldering fires or some geo thermal activity.

Thanks for your detailed processing information. The processing looks good here. My one comment/observation after learning the clouds were darkened is that the tree covered ridge at mid ground looks darker too - as if a graduated ND was used, although you didn't mention using one. Of course that hill could be naturally darker as well. No biggie, but that seems to contradict slightly all the lighter colored trees in the lower half. again, minor and only a picky photog would comment.

No other nits or suggestions.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 30, 2017 at 6:43 PM

Nice color and contrast. The brooding clouds add a lot to the mood. It is amazing how the area has recovered from the eruption.
--P

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