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Archive 2015 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

Ben Horne
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

These photos were shot on day 2 (my first full day) of my fall 2015 trip to Zion National Park. I spent some time scouring the washes on the East side of the park, and my timing was very good for the maples this year. The thing that's great about the east side of the park is that you can find so many different subjects in such a small area. I'd be curious to hear your honest thoughts on the images. What works? What doesn't?

The first photo was taken with my long lens (450mm) which I rarely use. This maple tree had lost most of its leaves, and was in the shade along a wash. I liked the way the leaves were floating in space, and how the tree branches went rather bluish in the cold light, yet the leaves were very warm. I used 8x10 Velvia 50, and this scan VERY closely resembles the original film. I just darkened it a bit since I always expose as bright as possible to help with my shadows.

The second was taken about 200 feet away. I've always wanted a maple in the mud shot. On this trip, I learned that the mud ripples look best when they are in a semi-wet state. When they are completely saturated or completely dry, there isn't much variety of color, but when the sand is damp but in the process of drying, it really helps. The light source is reflected light from some sandstone in full sunlight just across the wash. I placed the leaf there, but in all fairness, it was about a foot and a half away, and this photo was shot at the base of a big red maple so there were leaves all over the place. :-) This photo was taken on 8x10 Velvia 50 with my 300mm lens over extended for the closeup shot. This one is crazy to view on the light table because with a loupe, you can see that many of the sand grains are transparent.

The third is a photo of randomness. This was definitely a bit of an experimental shot. It's not as cohesive as the others, but I did like the look of the color on the tree. This was photographed on 8x10 Velvia 50 with my 450mm lens.

For those who are interested, here is my video journal from Day 2:

8x10 Velvia 50 | 450mm | many seconds @ f/45

8x10 Velvia 50 | 300mm | 15 seconds @ f/45

8x10 Velvia 50 | 450mm | many seconds @ f/45

Edited on Dec 08, 2015 at 10:11 PM · View previous versions

Dec 08, 2015 at 08:29 PM

blueshadows
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

After you look at the first photo for a while, the branches become more apparent, a bluish skeleton, whereas the leaves are bits of colorful skin, and there's a roundness to it all. My favorite of these;

for creating this under a cloth, upside down and backwards.

The leaf is also nice, but perhaps easier? More common? I think you'd have to see an enlargement to appreciate the fine details, the Web doesn't cut it here.

The last shot—

I think it might grow on you after a while, although the leftmost area leaves a space for the attention to wander away. I think it depends on how you feel about it; the idea of randomness is a good one.

I'll go check your blog so I don't miss anything from the trip.

Dec 08, 2015 at 09:02 PM

Ken_Cravillion
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

The first one is absolutely perfect.

Dec 08, 2015 at 09:52 PM

matthewsaville
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

It's like a window to the actual views themselves. Amazing.

I see a bit of shallow depth in the 3rd one, at f/45 and a great distance; yet the close-up (2nd) shot looks to have succeeded in achieving / using scheimpflug. Great work!

Dec 08, 2015 at 09:55 PM

dswiger
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

Ben, very nice set. Love what you have romanced out of the Velvia.
The 1st & 3rd being similar but different in the colors
The "blue" shadows in the 1st catch my eye but in #3, the maples stand out.
I've yet to be successful at the subtleness of Velvia. Much to learn

Thanks for posting

Dan

Dec 09, 2015 at 12:55 AM

MartinMcl
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

Love these Ben, and all work for me in different ways. The first is beautifully formalised with the structure of the tree amongst the colour. The second I like for the almost stark contrast of element and texture, with the structure contained within the beautifully coloured leaf standing out of the random patterns of the background.

Though you say the third is random there are echoes within it. The green of the lower right is complemented in the upper left, whilst the bare area of the lower left is echoed by the bare area near the top right. All with the beautiful colouring of the reds and yellows between - a sort of "X" composition.

Dec 09, 2015 at 02:21 AM

Milan Hutera
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

The first and second are outstanding Ben. Excellent compositions and colors.

Dec 09, 2015 at 05:14 AM

Gary Clennan
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

First pic is beautiful Ben. Well done.

Dec 09, 2015 at 09:59 AM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

I like them all - probably the second one the best. We ran into a guy shooting MF at the mouth of the Subway when I was there, and I asked him if it was you. He knew of you though. I Can't, for the life of me, remember his name.

Dec 09, 2015 at 10:07 AM

uintaangler
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

Ben, I agree with Milan on these.
The first is wonderful, it really works.
The second is also great and the third only suffers from not being quite as good as the first two
Been enjoying your videos as usual.
Happy New Year

Bob

Dec 09, 2015 at 10:18 AM

mstrickland
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

If only I could write the profanities that I was thinking. Bravo, my friend. The first two are two of my favorites of yours. You especially killed it with the first. The textural branches combined with the pop of color is exquisite. I'd love to see this in print.

Dec 09, 2015 at 11:26 AM

kurt765
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

Great work! I loooove the first one. It reminds me of Christopher Burkett or Elliot Porter, who are two of my favorites. 1&2 are my favorites in this set.

Dec 09, 2015 at 11:29 AM

DougDolde
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

Ben, the first one is my favorite by a long shot. Definitely a drum scan candidate. Now that i see them presented together this way I'd choose the leaves in the mud as my second fave. The last one is certainly a good shot but the first two overshadow it.

It's really cool to see such intimate scenes from Zion; I've been too overwhelmed by the grand vistas there to notice them. But I think that Manzanita you were aimed at when we talked wouldn't have been so powerful as these

PS just had another look at these and realized I do like the last one as well. ( hope you print at least the first one, let me know if you need any help I have an HP Z5200 44" wide.

Edited on Dec 09, 2015 at 07:50 PM · View previous versions

Dec 09, 2015 at 11:35 AM

QuinnImages
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

Three great shots on an amazingly productive day. The first image is just gorgeous, the blue of the branches with the pop of color from the maples makes this one stand out. Looking forward to seeing more from this trip.

Dec 09, 2015 at 02:37 PM

Steve Perry
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

Great shots and comps Ben - and of course I always enjoy your videos!

Dec 09, 2015 at 04:12 PM

gordon l
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

First shot without you (no offence) is awesome. Love it.

Dec 09, 2015 at 06:38 PM

Jeffrey
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

Nice soothing images, Ben. Sorry I did not just happen to run into you on the trail this year. I was there in July but not there this fall.

Dec 09, 2015 at 06:43 PM

OregonSun
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

These are all excellent, but the first two are perfect. Thanks for sharing.

Heron

Dec 09, 2015 at 08:45 PM

Travis Rhoads
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

it must have been incredibly still to have no movement in the leaves...I am drawn to #1 the most for the bluish tint to the trunks contrasting the leaves...and #2 while some say it might be easier, I love the simplicity of it.

Dec 10, 2015 at 11:33 AM

morris
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Maples of Zion (8x10)

The first for me Ben

Morris

Dec 10, 2015 at 08:17 PM

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