After leading a small group workshop in Yosemite Valley last February, I took a couple of days to focus on my own photography. I was hoping to take advantage of the angle of the sun at this time of year, and compose a dramatic, iconic sunset. This evening at Tunnel View was amazing, and the extreme cold kept the crowds away.
I used my 8x10 field camera, expecting to crop to the 6x10 proportion you see here. The extreme contrast range was a great test for a relatively new film for me, Kodak Ektar 100 print film. This film has an extreme exposure range (perfect for this shot), which I assisted with a 3 stop ND graduated filter. I took one exposure.
I am extremely impressed by the shadow detail in the foreground forest. This is one of the most painterly landscapes I have composed. I hope you enjoy the image.
Thanks,
Jon Paul
Thanks guys.
Dan, I have this in the gallery as a 30x50 inch print and the minimum viewing distance is, "get your nose off the glass!" I have to get used to looking at negatives, as opposed to the transparencies I am accustomed to.
Sunny, the titles are often the hardest part! This one came easily.
Awesome shot! I got somewhat familiar with Ektar in the last year, and it's really amazing stuff for the range that it captures. When in doubt, just load up some Ektar!
You really seem to have taken great advantage of what film has to offer with this excellent exposure. I hate to think what sort of dodging and blending might be required for me to replicate this with digital. Thanks for posting. Good work out there in the cold getting this all set up and captured so well.
Thanks Dave! I am curious as to whether a full frame digital, with the use of a split ND filter couldn't capture this range? The Kodak Ektar 100 is reported (by several photos) to have a latitude range of up to 15 stops. I was really amazed at the way it enabled me to hold this exposure. Nice to have possibilities!
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I have to get used to looking at negatives, as opposed to the transparencies I am accustomed to.