I've had this shot in mind since I first visited the Bristlecone NF in 2007. Generally what we see are the portraits of the trees, because well, the trees are awesome. I wanted something that really portrayed the landscape - desolate, barren, and with a phenomenal view of the Sierras. I scouted this viewpoint out two years ago, and last week on the Summer Solstice (morning after) I shot this 6 shot pano with my 500 f/4. (shooting on the Solstice gave me maximum northerly angle of light, which gave me this sweet golden light on the bristlecones even on the north facing slope).
And yes, I did shoot a portrait too. I had also scouted this tree out 2 years ago, and was fortunate to have a clearing storm cloud light up at sunset for me.
The first one has a beautiful rendition of mountains and fabulous pink hues, but I'm affraid the FG doesn't do much for me. The second one has a killer subject and nice colors too.
Slightly difficult to get a sense of scale in the first one. The trees look more like branches. The light however is absoluteloy awesome. I also like the diagonal composition.
Ute
ScaryFox wrote:
Slightly difficult to get a sense of scale in the first one. The trees look more like branches. The light however is absoluteloy awesome. I also like the diagonal composition.
Ute
Thanks Ute, yes, the scale is a bit hard to get... those trees are about half a mile away! I really think this is one that's going to have to be really huge on a wall to have the impact I want, maybe at some point I'll get to see that.
Floris, the light in the first is fantastic but I must admit I didn't realize those were trees at first. The second is just a killer shot, a very "formidable" looking tree.
Without knowing the distance, the trees do look like twigs
Awesome sight, Floris. The dawn light on the Sierra is magical!
Love the 2nd, too. The old gent appears to be holding court with that pose.
Nice title and nice colors on the first. Like the second also. Not a real big fan of the magenta casts but, the first works very nicely and I like the comp also.
epeorusjim wrote:
Nice title and nice colors on the first. Like the second also. Not a real big fan of the magenta casts but, the first works very nicely and I like the comp also.
Jim
Thanks Jim - not sure what you mean about the magenta casts. On my calibrated monitor (albeit a little outdated) I don't see any magenta casts in either. If you're referring to the soft pinks in the mountains of the first.. that's natural, a result of shooting a 12,000 foot ridge that's 40 miles away from an 11,000 foot vantage point, at sunrise.. if you mean something else, could you clarify? Thanks!
ScaryFox wrote:
I can offer you a wall in my house........
haha.. actually this would look pretty sweet in my new house... which has very light lavender walls (the bathroom is bright pink and the kitchen apple green... ). I'll just have to see if I can get a frame
Floris,
love the soft pre dawn colours in the first and the way the sun is catching the old stumps,
like the second, though as a small crit, would of prefered all of the left root in frame.
parsons wrote:
Floris,
love the soft pre dawn colours in the first and the way the sun is catching the old stumps,
like the second, though as a small crit, would of prefered all of the left root in frame.
simon
Thanks Simon. Including the full root would have added about 50% more image on the left including an ugly bush too... it's a long root That's why I made sure to include the spike, to give it an appearance of ending.
Very nice work here Floris. The first has a strange sense of scale to it. This is likely a result of the focal length and great distance. I get a hovering feeling from the first... it's almost a bizarre dreamscape of an image.
Floris really I think the first one is an absolute masterpeice, one of your best. I find the trees give a whole new meaning of scale to the mountains and, even if you had the smae conditions again, I really wouldnt change a thing.
Fabulous, Floris. I've spent huge amounts of time in the Whites, and it is not easy to make meaningful images of that terrain. I particularly like the Palisades Crest, which is the group of high peaks that you captured in the background.
Floris,
Although I am partial to the "portrait", I like them both.
The first appeals for the other worldly sense of scale & majesty and I am sure will be appreciated large and on a wall!
The portrait is very nice and gives character to this "old friend", the sky really sets the mood.
I was starting to think I wouldn't get up to the Whites this year but these images have reminded me I must return.
Really digging the first. Great layered composition and the view really puts the trees in place. Nothing like high alpine light. Great stuff. 2 i'm so so about. The bright clouds distract especially since they are so far bottom right with nothing to balance on the left. The exposure and processing for the tree is killer though. I'm going to go dig the first again
