Posted by David Taylor on March 9, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Hey there,
This was shot Saturday evening, and is a stitch of 5 vertical images taken a few seconds apart.
Canon 50D
100-400 IS lens (at 100 mm) with IS and AF off
1/10" @ f/14
ISO 100
Composed with Live View at 10x zoom
Here is a link to a larger version (1200 px wide)
http://sixtyonenorth.com/IMAGES/Alaska%20Range%203-7-09.jpg
Your thoughts?
Posted by Ron Niebrugge on March 9, 2009 at 11:07 PM
That is really pretty Dave - love the colors!
Posted by David Taylor on March 10, 2009 at 1:07 AM
Thanks Ron, much appreciated. And welcome home! Judging by your blog, you got quite a "fin" fare welcoming committee... sorry, I couldn't resist
Nice work capturing that late winter afternoon light. And the storm cap is a plus.
Posted by David Taylor on March 10, 2009 at 4:28 AM
Thanks Jim, hope all is well "Up Nort'"
Posted by Kent Mearig on March 10, 2009 at 11:26 AM
I think if it were me, I would take some blue out of the mountains, leaving it in the sky. That added separation could give the mountains more emphasis. Anyway, really nice work.
Posted by David Taylor on March 10, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Hey Kent
That was my first thought as well. I did try "neutralizing" the blues in the mountains, but doing so (even a little bit) really reduced the contrast I had in the Range. Then it seemed that whenever I did some local area contrast enhancements to the mountains, it would just pump the blues back into it
2 steps forward and 2 steps back again, it would seem. I think what really draws me into this scene, is that the sky/clouds almost melt into the mountains & there isn't much separation between the two to my naked eye. At this time of the evening, the sun is already below the "horizon" for the lower ramparts of the Range, and the light is mainly blue because of the shadows.
I do very much appreciate & respect your input Kent, just wanted to take the chance to respond for everyone's "benefit"
Thanks again.
Posted by Ron Niebrugge on March 10, 2009 at 1:15 PM
LOL - yeah that was some welcome home!
I'm surprised I used the word pretty - that is very macho of me!
Ron
Posted by David Taylor on March 11, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Well, Ron -
I wasn't gonna say anything... it was such a pretty sentiment and all
Hey, it looks like I'm going to be down in Seward one of the weekends in April (either the 18-19 or 25-26) for a grey whale tour. I'm joining another photographer (Angie from Anchorage), but we're waiting for weather to pan out for final plans. I'll get in touch with you before I head down. If you'll be around, it'd be great to finally meet up and grab a bite - if your wife is around please bring her along. Take care.
Posted by Kent Mearig on March 11, 2009 at 1:57 AM
I looked at the photo again with the idea of 'mountains blending into the sky is a good thing', and...well...I'm cool with that.
I like the way this photo starts off all about the soft bands of colors sweeping across the winter sky, and then, low and behold, Denali shows up when you begin to dig into the details at the bottom. I'm not against having my own opinions about things and giving my input, but I think dialogue is much more valuable, and after all, it's your photograph. I would much rather get a deeper understanding of other photographer's work/ideas/vision than have everybody change their images to match my taste.
Posted by David Taylor on March 11, 2009 at 2:19 AM
I agree Kent, constructive criticism is (I believe) one of the most valuable tools that we as photographers can offer one another, in our continued struggle to improve our craft. It's difficult for me to draw the line as to where I stand on my photography - on one hand, I really want to get a very pleasing photograph out to the viewers (and sometimes I wonder if I make too many concessions in order to try to please too many people). On the other hand (the one that I find myself "erring" more towards in the past few years) I got into this art form in order to share my vision with others - rather than altering my vision to please the masses. It may be less financially "successful" right now, but I figure that by doing so, I am developing my personal vision (some call it style). In the end, I've decided to make the photographs matter to me first.
Galen Rowell said something that I really try to adhere to, I'll paraphrase "When I take a photograph that really moves me, my heart is pounding in my chest. If I don't have that feeling, why would anyone else feel that way when they look at the print". Again, paraphrased liberally - but still applicable to our discussion. On occasion, I shoot with others (close friends or workshops). Many of them ask me why I'm not shooting much. If I'm not absolutely moved by a scene, I'd rather spend my time finding out why I'm not - and more importantly, what would it take with the subject before me to put me in that state of mind - so that I can recognize more opportunities in the future. I suppose that this is what has kept me from pursuing more stock photography business - and kept me more in the "fine" art category.
Well golly gee, I tend to get long winded
In short Kent, I'd love to see more discussion along the lines that you brought up so eloquently - I love reading or hearing of how a photographer works (less technology, less mega pixels, more theory, more passion) - that deeper understanding as to how individuals create. By learning how others create, perhaps I can improve my own craft as well.
Thanks again Kent, I always look forward to your opinions. They are always well thought out and valuable.
Posted by Ron Niebrugge on March 11, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Keep me posted Dave, it would be great to meet you as well! I should be here in the office working away looking for any excuse to take a break!
Discussion
12 repliesThis was shot Saturday evening, and is a stitch of 5 vertical images taken a few seconds apart.
Canon 50D
100-400 IS lens (at 100 mm) with IS and AF off
1/10" @ f/14
ISO 100
Composed with Live View at 10x zoom
Here is a link to a larger version (1200 px wide)
http://sixtyonenorth.com/IMAGES/Alaska%20Range%203-7-09.jpg
Your thoughts?
That was my first thought as well. I did try "neutralizing" the blues in the mountains, but doing so (even a little bit) really reduced the contrast I had in the Range. Then it seemed that whenever I did some local area contrast enhancements to the mountains, it would just pump the blues back into it
2 steps forward and 2 steps back again, it would seem. I think what really draws me into this scene, is that the sky/clouds almost melt into the mountains & there isn't much separation between the two to my naked eye. At this time of the evening, the sun is already below the "horizon" for the lower ramparts of the Range, and the light is mainly blue because of the shadows.
I do very much appreciate & respect your input Kent, just wanted to take the chance to respond for everyone's "benefit"
Thanks again.
I'm surprised I used the word pretty - that is very macho of me!
Ron
I wasn't gonna say anything... it was such a pretty sentiment and all
Hey, it looks like I'm going to be down in Seward one of the weekends in April (either the 18-19 or 25-26) for a grey whale tour. I'm joining another photographer (Angie from Anchorage), but we're waiting for weather to pan out for final plans. I'll get in touch with you before I head down. If you'll be around, it'd be great to finally meet up and grab a bite - if your wife is around please bring her along. Take care.
I like the way this photo starts off all about the soft bands of colors sweeping across the winter sky, and then, low and behold, Denali shows up when you begin to dig into the details at the bottom. I'm not against having my own opinions about things and giving my input, but I think dialogue is much more valuable, and after all, it's your photograph. I would much rather get a deeper understanding of other photographer's work/ideas/vision than have everybody change their images to match my taste.
Galen Rowell said something that I really try to adhere to, I'll paraphrase "When I take a photograph that really moves me, my heart is pounding in my chest. If I don't have that feeling, why would anyone else feel that way when they look at the print". Again, paraphrased liberally - but still applicable to our discussion. On occasion, I shoot with others (close friends or workshops). Many of them ask me why I'm not shooting much. If I'm not absolutely moved by a scene, I'd rather spend my time finding out why I'm not - and more importantly, what would it take with the subject before me to put me in that state of mind - so that I can recognize more opportunities in the future. I suppose that this is what has kept me from pursuing more stock photography business - and kept me more in the "fine" art category.
Well golly gee, I tend to get long winded
In short Kent, I'd love to see more discussion along the lines that you brought up so eloquently - I love reading or hearing of how a photographer works (less technology, less mega pixels, more theory, more passion) - that deeper understanding as to how individuals create. By learning how others create, perhaps I can improve my own craft as well.
Thanks again Kent, I always look forward to your opinions. They are always well thought out and valuable.