Sorting/processing through 4600 pictures and thought I would share what I call a classic Patagonia shot. Its on the Chilean side in Torres Del Paine NP at the Salto Grande site.
Normally a pic is worth a thousand words but not in this case. Walking to this location was battling 50+ mph winds. Climbing up the small ridge to get to this site had winds that literally stopped me in my tracks - I guess gusts were hitting 70-80 mph. There was no way my would tripod stay put - even with my pack weighing it down. So it was always one hand weighing very heavy on the tripod, the other hand turning the camera away from the wind and blowing spray and wiping the lens between each shot - and then taking the shot when the wind would die down to about 30mph.
The sound of the wind and rushing water was awesome - and the view was enthralling. What a rush! No way the camera can record all of that.
I’m trying to decide if I like this wide or a little tighter in composition and would be grateful for your opinion.
Awesome Dave!! I actually like them equally... I was out shooting in the wind yesterday and had to lean heavily on the tripod to keep it stable. My arms are a bit sore today.
Those are crazy conditions to be shooting in! It's great you were able to get anything with those kind of winds. Both of these are nice, but I think I like the wider version better. I think both version can exist beside each other.
Both beautifully executed shots. I like the tighter second view that focuses in more on the water motion and crops out some of the relatively less active water in the bottom of the first frame. The balance of the rushing water on the left with the mountains and cloud shapes on the upper right is really nice too.
I know what you mean about that wind! Love em both!
I think the 2nd one captures the "stormy" feeling better than the first. It shows off the rushing water and the darkness in the valley.
Dave;
I lean toward the wider version. Nice job on both, though. Still going through mine too (I can verify the wind & spray!) - but also leaning to the wider versions of the various shots we were able to capture from this wonderful location.
Todd
Thanks for all your thoughts. . . pretty much agrees with my thinking as well. I just may have to print them both!
Todd - hope to see some of your Nikon captures soon!
Dave
Wow! I actually prefer the second for the slightly different processing and the tighter frame. The first gives me a feeling of simply being an observer, while the second makes me feel more like I'm there feeling the spray on my face.
David, wow these are mesmerizing beautiful and evocative!
I like the compositions as they are. Great selection of shutter speeds, would love to know more about your EXIF data.
