Cottonwoods Near Bishop

[Photo-John]

I love cottonwood trees and I love the Eastern Sierra around Bishop. This photo was taken about 10-15 miles north of Bishop, on a dirt road. It's near the end of a shuttle-able mountain bike trail (surprise!) and I was waiting to meet some guys I was supposed to ride with. It's another photo that I've been sitting on for a while. It was actually taken in September of 2004. Pixmantex RawShooter Premium and Photoshop CS2 helped bring it alive for me.

The photo was taken with the Canon EOS 10D and 28-135mm IS lens at 85mm and ISO 200, with a circular polarizer. The exposure was 1/200th second @ f/11.

[PlantedTao]

When I first looked at this photo I thought it had nice composition. Now I realize the reason it has great composition is because of the lack of sky...great job on a real tight shot

I love the colors and the lighting only enhances them...looked like a great day fo a ride.

Now I don't feel as bad for sitting on my photos for as long as I do...2004 impressive

this is a great shot. Cheers.

[swmdrayfan]

PJ, I think PlantedTao was right about the comp. It's marvelous. But the trees and grass just look too saturated for my taste.
John

[jar_e]

John,

I love it, Wouldn't change a thing. Strong composition, and a very surrealistic feel to it.

Well done,

Jared

[gahspidy]

John, excellent composition. The amount of foreground and trees really puts a powerful perspective in size relationship of the mountains behind them. Lighting working well in bringing out the shadows and depth of the Rocky area . I agree with anothers comments on reducing some saturation of the trees and grass. Possibly bringing out a bit more shadow detail in there as well. Well done and executed.

[Loupey]

Awesome background. My only nitpick is the (guy?) in the middle of the foreground. Please excuse me if it's not a guy and (a vehicle?) as it's difficult to discern at this resolution. What ever it is, I keep trying to make out what it is Without it, it still shows scale and frees my eyes to wander the frame.

[jar_e]

John,

Did you get my PM about the photo of the year?

I tried to send you another one but your PM box is full.

Let me know,

Jared

[Photo-John]

My only nitpick is the (guy?) in the middle of the foreground. Please excuse me if it's not a guy and (a vehicle?) as it's difficult to discern at this resolution.

The size of the image is a problem in this case. It's actually a stump and a slash pile. The stump is probably 15-20 feet high. Those trees are a lot bigger than you think

At this size, it kinda looks like a sasquatch, doesn't it?

[Loupey]

At this size, it kinda looks like a sasquatch, doesn't it?

Yeah... Big Foot taking a break off his riding lawn mower.

[SmartWombat]

To me this one is about the background, that's awesome.
The trees, the foreground, all supports that background.
Did I say it looks awesome?