Ah, yes, a good song from Judy Collins but also an apt title for Galen's Arch. Not until this last trip did I even bother to look at the other side of this arch. Perhaps I reasoned that without the Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop it would not be photogenic. Or maybe I thought that if Galen had failed to display this angle then perhaps it did not have merit. Well, no matter, this time I looked.
The arch, of course, from this angle is far less distinct. It lacks a dynamic subject for its window. But the supporting background, I think, makes up for that. The Inyo Mountains and 2 good examples of the Alabama Hills can be seen. To me, this shot, more than any others that I took, best shows the nature of the Hills.
Both Sides Now, of course, would not be complete without the "other" side. I posted this several days ago before processing the first one, but, as a reminder, I think you can see how easy it was to concentrate on only this side.
I really like your second shot with the mountain range showing through. I appreciate keeping the little tufts of foliage in the forground and like the interesting sky.
I like the compostion in #1 and the way your eye follows the sweep of the arch to that little road at the top right. It makes me wonder where it leads to?
I think that I understand you perfectly: the "easy" way and the "other way".
The easy way, certainly, is not always the best, although in this case I like the two ways, sides or points of view.
Good work!
kaltree wrote:
I really like your second shot with the mountain range showing through. I appreciate keeping the little tufts of foliage in the forground and like the interesting sky.
Great job here!
Love the composition as well.
Thanks. I like it, as well.
Henry wrote:
More beauties. Thanks, Don.
If you keep posting enough of these I'll finally figure out where it is. These two really help.
Henry, I think you can find it from that first shot. That hill in the BG is very easy to find.
pcd72 wrote:
Nice shots. Unless I am wrong, I think that the Both Sides Now song was originally written by Joni Mitchell.
WRT the song, I believe you're right. I just remember the Collins rendition. Thanks for the comment.
I have a question about the location, not the hills but the location of the arch and a few other of your prefered spots for pictures. Is there a local map or do you just drive around and find them on your own? I live in So Cal and will be going up soon but want to make the best of my time.
Dave wrote:
I like the compostion in #1 and the way your eye follows the sweep of the arch to that little road at the top right. It makes me wonder where it leads to?
Well Done!
Thanks, Dave. The road you see goes only as far as you see. It takes you up into the rocks and no further.
Javier wrote:I think that I understand you perfectly: the "easy" way and the "other way".
The easy way, certainly, is not always the best, although in this case I like the two ways, sides or points of view.
Good work!
In this case, both are easy but only one is very obvious. It is a good lesson, though, to examine all sides.
Mark wrote:
Very interesting to see the new view. It's a terrific composition: I like the sweep of the arch from this angle. Great shot!
Thanks, Mark. Glad you like it.
Larry wrote:
I have a question about the location, not the hills but the location of the arch and a few other of your prefered spots for pictures. Is there a local map or do you just drive around and find them on your own? I live in So Cal and will be going up soon but want to make the best of my time.
I now tend to drive around but this may help
For guidebooks, maps, and more information about finding your way around the maze of dirt roads through the Alabama Hills, stop at the Eastern Sierra InterAgency Visitor Center. It’s located about 2 miles south of Lone Pine on Highway 395 at the intersection of Highway 136, the road to Death Valley. Start planning your trip by checking out their Web page at: www.r5.fs.fed.us/inyo
Don, I like the lighting much better in the second one creating a strong arch shadow and lighting the distant mountains, but both are masterfully done.
David wrote:
Don... both of these are outstanding. I especially like the first one... very rich in things to see.
Thanks, David. It's a photo-rich area.
Stan wrote:
Don, I like the lighting much better in the second one creating a strong arch shadow and lighting the distant mountains, but both are masterfully done.
I do prefer the second, as well. My point about the first is that I think it best illustrates the Alabama Hills but, photographically, it is not as pleasing as the second.
