Very Inspiring. I can't pick a favorite - Love them all. If I were forced to choose
one it will be #1. Your dedication to photography shows in each and very image.
Hope this is not the end of the series.
Fabulous set of shots. Since you ask for critique, I'll only comment on the 'negative' ones, if you can call them that. Lost World and Stone Vortex, while both striking, seem to lack what your others do in terms of big and bold. Gateway to Paradise, while certainly presenting a grand scene, is a bit ordinary for you; the large empty space that makes up the bottom left quarter of the shot really takes it down a notch, I feel.
Honestly though, this is an unbelievable set of images any one of which anyone would be proud to call their own. Looks like you had a great last few months Your portfolio over on photo.net is really something to behold.
AJ
Oh, ps, I think you're doing a wonderful service answering everybody's questions as you've been. I think its much appreciated and only serves to build your mighty reputation amongst us mortals
Edited by ajkessler on Dec 13, 2007 at 11:51 AM GMT
Marc:
I would echo Randy's comments. Any tidbits on your workflow would be valuable to all of us. The backlit trees are absolutely stunning. Your ability to make the most out of every image is amazing.
Hi Marc. A fabulous set of images from your trip, all of them worthy of repeated viewing. I'm wondering what is your technique for focusing given the large (ish) apertures used in some of the images? (I know its still possible to get good DOF at these focal lengths but how precise are you when focusing? Do you focus on the hyperfocal distance, or on the point of interest? Cheers. Paul
OK, we have a few questions about workflow. I'm not going to sit here and go step by step with everyone. There's just too much to say, most of which is just my way of doing things, and someone else will invariably tell you not to do things that way ;-) I teach workshops if you want to know more (shameless promotional plug, I know).
There was one specific question about the blending. Well, I can say in short that I prefer to do pretty much all of it manually and I don't feel great about using HDR. Just my opinions. I also avoid it when I can.
To address the issue of focusing distances, it really helps that I am extremely familiar with the hyperfocal distances of all of my lenses at all focal lengths. There's no substitute for experience here. Bracket if your not sure. Look up hyperfocal charts if you want to spend days memorizing things only to guess wrong in the field anyhow ;-) I like to just use AF on a full-frame evaluative mode for most situations unless I need to use a selective focus on a non-moving subject.
Another exceptional series, Marc. I always enjoy and look forward to your beautiful images. Very inspirational.
I saw in your previous thread that you favored "hard" GND filters over the "soft" GND. For you WA shots, do you still favor the "hard" GND filters? Or do you tend to use "soft" GND when shooting WA?
Nice set Marc. I like the 1st three best. I find the others aren't as dynamic as most of your other work. The 2nd one is great for the divergence of the yellow trees and water streaks and the rocks jutting out of the center - very powerful. #1 and 3 are great compositions of more intimate scenes.
I managed to gather a bit more funds (some surprise print orders!) and have a 2 stop hard and 3 stop reverse grad on the way - thanks for being such a good source of inspiration.
Congratulations on a successful trip, Marc. I have two favorites that I favor considerably. The first shot is so beautiful. Lovely colors, textures, and light make a wonderful shot. And I like the last shot tremendously. It's one of the best shots I've seen of the canyon. I like that you didn't over-brighten it.
Thanks for sharing your trip. I hope you post more.
Sharon
Dec 13, 2007 at 06:24 PM
Mark Metternich Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
I am mostly drawn toward 1, and 2, then 8, 9, and 10 (not in that order). My favorites are #1 and #8. "No way out" is striking to me, and is what I have come to expect from your work. #1 is subtle beauty yet powerful and original.
The "Flaming Canyon" (10) was too dark on my too dark monitor, so I switched to my wife's monitor and it also became a fav.
Now if I could only figure out why my smugmug photos will not come up in a series on this site? I tried this long ago, and I never figured out the problem.
Really nice work, Marc. Some of the most natural, yet still intense, images I've see from you. Terrific and original compo's, too! Great work!
I share Randy's request, and thanks for your tips. I also shared Randy's visit to Galen Rowell's gallery......Wow!!
Of particular interest in regards to your technique is "Stone Vortex" where you used 30 seconds at f22. So prior to taking the shot, it must have been a pretty dark setting then? In that kind of light, how did you get the sunlight to not completely ruin the shot?
From the first time I saw some of your stuff I knew what to aspire to. This set continues that. I went out west for the first time 2 summers ago, and this makes me yearn for those times, and to go back soon. I really can't pick a favorite, all are amazing. When I started shooting a little over 2 1/2 yrs ago and saw your stuff, it had that shock value, very impressive. But as I have grown as a photographer, I come to appreciate even more things in your pictures, the subtle details of composition and positioning that make them that much closer to perfection. You are doing something I would love to make happen in my life. Congrats on being able to do something you enjoy so much.
Your portfolio over on photo.net is really something to behold.