I was photographing in the Carrizo Plain National Monument this week, just west of the bottom end of California's San Juaquin Valley. Had rain, hail, sun, clouds, and a good share of mud. Glad I had a shovel and recovery ramps or I'd still be in the hole. Meanwhile, this wonderful light appeared, and I had to respond. Not much processing on this one, it was so naturally and perfectly illuminated .
Thanks, everyone, for the kind comments. I noticed the painterly look immediately while reviewing the RAW's. Guessing how this takes place, it may have been a combination of a long camera to subject distance (used a 200mm lens) and the smoothness of the grasses plus a possible bit of early day haze. I did not add any contrast or filters of any sort in pp. Thin soft clouds between the sun and these hills added their contribution as well.
ChrisAttebery wrote:
Nice picture Jeff. Are those bushes or animals in the distance?
Chris, I believe they are shrubs. Could be scrub oaks. They were quite a distance away. This area is primarily 'grasslands', something you don't see much of in CA. Hardly any trees or large vegetation.
