Marsh Valley meandering stream....

Marsh Valley meandering stream.... · 06:24 PM

This one attracts me any time of the year but from my drive on Saturday the simplicity of the snow with touches of subtle colors of earth, dried vegetation and rock with occasional splash of blue sky sucked me in and I just had to see if I could capture the essence of the place.

Your comments are appreciated..

mtnbearhug · 02-25-2008, 11:08 PM

Clarence..

Looks like you had a nice drive!!

I really like the 2nd and 3rd pics.. The color of the water and the snow is very good..

I am not found of the first one.... Not sure why... I guess it just doesn't have that snap appeal..

Thanks for sharin!! Kim

scott-devon · 02-26-2008, 05:41 AM

Nice area Clarence. That second shot really is very good. I have to agree with Kim on the first one, somehow it just doesn't hold my attention although it's a good shot.

mtnbearhug · 02-26-2008, 07:25 PM

You first shot has been on my mind Clarence.. I usually really like mountain and snow shots..

I think that if you were to crop the mountains out of it.... it would help... The dullness of the top of the pictures kind of takes away from the sharpness of the bottom... does that makes sense?

Perhaps I am just babbling...

Can you tell I really want to like it and it bugs me that I dont..

Kim

LaRee · 02-26-2008, 10:03 PM

I like them all Clarence. I think the small last shot has the strongest feel for me. But I don't know, I like the reflection in the water in the second shot and the depth of the first.

clarenceclose · 02-27-2008, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by mtnbearhug

You first shot has been on my mind Clarence.. I usually really like mountain and snow shots..

I think that if you were to crop the mountains out of it.... it would help... The dullness of the top of the pictures kind of takes away from the sharpness of the bottom... does that makes sense?

Perhaps I am just babbling...

Can you tell I really want to like it and it bugs me that I dont..

Kim

Kim,
No matter how much I 'willed' the mountains to be part of the shot, even isolating them in PS and bringing up the contrast, there was so much haze in the cold air from evaporation/condensation that I couldn't get the depth and clarity I really wanted. Thank you for being persistant and bringing that to my attention. For this shot, I agree that a more horizontal crop would probably be better, even to cutting out entirely the snow/lava rock at the back of the shot and just having the 'S' curve of the stream through the snow foreground.

clarenceclose · 02-27-2008, 09:07 AM

Scott, thank you for your observations.

Originally posted by LaRee

I like them all Clarence. I think the small last shot has the strongest feel for me. But I don't know, I like the reflection in the water in the second shot and the depth of the first.

I believe it was quoted by a famous architect "God is in the details". I see that a lot in all types of photo shots and sometimes a detail shot of the subject actually conveys more the beauty and sense of place better than the overall shot. Thanks again for your inputs.

channeler · 02-27-2008, 10:13 AM

Nice series of shots Clarence. I like the lines and reflections of the last two. I think it is the harshness of the ridge rather than anything else that causes the first picture to not work quite as well. I think it breaks up the unity of the picture, drawing the eye at the expense of the best features of the picture ie: the stream and mountains. Would WB have benefited from some adjustment? I'm not sure. I'm no expert re taking photos with snow in them; don't get much practice here in England.

Paul

craftsmansky · 02-27-2008, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by clarenceclose

Kim,
No matter how much I 'willed' the mountains to be part of the shot, even isolating them in PS and bringing up the contrast, there was so much haze in the cold air from evaporation/condensation that I couldn't get the depth and clarity I really wanted. Thank you for being persistant and bringing that to my attention. For this shot, I agree that a more horizontal crop would probably be better, even to cutting out entirely the snow/lava rock at the back of the shot and just having the 'S' curve of the stream through the snow foreground.

i think the problem is the darkness of the lava across the center of the image. perhaps taken at a higher angle to reduce the impat of the rock would bring the background more to the point, although the lack of contrast would still be to little.

Marsh Valley was one of our favorite areas. always loved driving through, watching the harriers flying low over the landscape, the meandering stream, and such. having mt. bonneville as a backdrop didnt hurt either.

we spent a lot of time in Lava Hot Springs working with the historical society, and driving through to Salt Lake for shopping.

thanks again for the images.

clarenceclose · 02-27-2008, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by channeler

Nice series of shots Clarence. I like the lines and reflections of the last two. I think it is the harshness of the ridge rather than anything else that causes the first picture to not work quite as well. I think it breaks up the unity of the picture, drawing the eye at the expense of the best features of the picture ie: the stream and mountains. Would WB have benefited from some adjustment? I'm not sure. I'm no expert re taking photos with snow in them; don't get much practice here in England.

Paul

Paul,
I believe you are correct about the dark streak of the lava through the shot.
I could 'cut' out the middle and splice back in the mountains.

That would be more the shot I was striving to capture. WB is tough in snow, too much and I get blowout but when I shot I did a +1 to +2 on the shots and took them in RAW. Could fiddle with it but then again it may not be worth the trouble on this shot. Thanks.

clarenceclose · 02-27-2008, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by craftsmansky

i think the problem is the darkness of the lava across the center of the image. perhaps taken at a higher angle to reduce the impat of the rock would bring the background more to the point, although the lack of contrast would still be to little.

Marsh Valley was one of our favorite areas. always loved driving through, watching the harriers flying low over the landscape, the meandering stream, and such. having mt. bonneville as a backdrop didnt hurt either.

we spent a lot of time in Lava Hot Springs working with the historical society, and driving through to Salt Lake for shopping.

thanks again for the images.

This stream is attractive year round bringing in all kinds of wildlife. Have wanted to drift it in a canoe in the summer and see if there are any German Brown trout lurking beneath the banks.

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02-25-2008, 11:08 PM	#2
mtnbearhug Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Emmett, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,351	Nice shots.. Clarence.. Looks like you had a nice drive!! I really like the 2nd and 3rd pics.. The color of the water and the snow is very good.. I am not found of the first one.... Not sure why... I guess it just doesn't have that snap appeal.. Thanks for sharin!! Kim

02-26-2008, 07:25 PM	#4
mtnbearhug Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Emmett, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,351	Been Thinkin..... You first shot has been on my mind Clarence.. I usually really like mountain and snow shots.. I think that if you were to crop the mountains out of it.... it would help... The dullness of the top of the pictures kind of takes away from the sharpness of the bottom... does that makes sense? Perhaps I am just babbling... Can you tell I really want to like it and it bugs me that I dont.. Kim

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02-26-2008, 05:41 AM	#3
scott-devon Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Alberta Posts: 2,140	Nice area Clarence. That second shot really is very good. I have to agree with Kim on the first one, somehow it just doesn't hold my attention although it's a good shot.

02-26-2008, 10:03 PM	#5
LaRee Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,225	I like them all Clarence. I think the small last shot has the strongest feel for me. But I don't know, I like the reflection in the water in the second shot and the depth of the first.

02-27-2008, 09:02 AM	#6
clarenceclose Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,506 Original Poster	Originally posted by mtnbearhug You first shot has been on my mind Clarence.. I usually really like mountain and snow shots.. I think that if you were to crop the mountains out of it.... it would help... The dullness of the top of the pictures kind of takes away from the sharpness of the bottom... does that makes sense? Perhaps I am just babbling... Can you tell I really want to like it and it bugs me that I dont.. Kim Kim, No matter how much I 'willed' the mountains to be part of the shot, even isolating them in PS and bringing up the contrast, there was so much haze in the cold air from evaporation/condensation that I couldn't get the depth and clarity I really wanted. Thank you for being persistant and bringing that to my attention. For this shot, I agree that a more horizontal crop would probably be better, even to cutting out entirely the snow/lava rock at the back of the shot and just having the 'S' curve of the stream through the snow foreground.

02-27-2008, 09:07 AM	#7
clarenceclose Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,506 Original Poster	Scott, thank you for your observations. Originally posted by LaRee I like them all Clarence. I think the small last shot has the strongest feel for me. But I don't know, I like the reflection in the water in the second shot and the depth of the first. I believe it was quoted by a famous architect "God is in the details". I see that a lot in all types of photo shots and sometimes a detail shot of the subject actually conveys more the beauty and sense of place better than the overall shot. Thanks again for your inputs.

02-27-2008, 10:13 AM	#8
channeler Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northwich Cheshire England Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,009	Nice series of shots Clarence. I like the lines and reflections of the last two. I think it is the harshness of the ridge rather than anything else that causes the first picture to not work quite as well. I think it breaks up the unity of the picture, drawing the eye at the expense of the best features of the picture ie: the stream and mountains. Would WB have benefited from some adjustment? I'm not sure. I'm no expert re taking photos with snow in them; don't get much practice here in England. Paul

02-27-2008, 11:05 AM	#9
craftsmansky Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: louisville, ky Photos: Gallery Posts: 163	Originally posted by clarenceclose Kim, No matter how much I 'willed' the mountains to be part of the shot, even isolating them in PS and bringing up the contrast, there was so much haze in the cold air from evaporation/condensation that I couldn't get the depth and clarity I really wanted. Thank you for being persistant and bringing that to my attention. For this shot, I agree that a more horizontal crop would probably be better, even to cutting out entirely the snow/lava rock at the back of the shot and just having the 'S' curve of the stream through the snow foreground. i think the problem is the darkness of the lava across the center of the image. perhaps taken at a higher angle to reduce the impat of the rock would bring the background more to the point, although the lack of contrast would still be to little. Marsh Valley was one of our favorite areas. always loved driving through, watching the harriers flying low over the landscape, the meandering stream, and such. having mt. bonneville as a backdrop didnt hurt either. we spent a lot of time in Lava Hot Springs working with the historical society, and driving through to Salt Lake for shopping. thanks again for the images.

02-27-2008, 08:43 PM	#10
clarenceclose Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,506 Original Poster	Originally posted by channeler Nice series of shots Clarence. I like the lines and reflections of the last two. I think it is the harshness of the ridge rather than anything else that causes the first picture to not work quite as well. I think it breaks up the unity of the picture, drawing the eye at the expense of the best features of the picture ie: the stream and mountains. Would WB have benefited from some adjustment? I'm not sure. I'm no expert re taking photos with snow in them; don't get much practice here in England. Paul Paul, I believe you are correct about the dark streak of the lava through the shot. I could 'cut' out the middle and splice back in the mountains. That would be more the shot I was striving to capture. WB is tough in snow, too much and I get blowout but when I shot I did a +1 to +2 on the shots and took them in RAW. Could fiddle with it but then again it may not be worth the trouble on this shot. Thanks.

02-27-2008, 08:45 PM	#11
clarenceclose Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,506 Original Poster	Originally posted by craftsmansky i think the problem is the darkness of the lava across the center of the image. perhaps taken at a higher angle to reduce the impat of the rock would bring the background more to the point, although the lack of contrast would still be to little. Marsh Valley was one of our favorite areas. always loved driving through, watching the harriers flying low over the landscape, the meandering stream, and such. having mt. bonneville as a backdrop didnt hurt either. we spent a lot of time in Lava Hot Springs working with the historical society, and driving through to Salt Lake for shopping. thanks again for the images. This stream is attractive year round bringing in all kinds of wildlife. Have wanted to drift it in a canoe in the summer and see if there are any German Brown trout lurking beneath the banks.