Evening Treat

Posted by Don Smith (California, United States) on 2 April 2009 in Landscape & Rural.

It never ceases to amaze me how many images I can find by just driving around and keeping an open mind. Such was the case with this image which I spotted about 20 minutes prior to sunset on Lone Tree Road near my home town of Hollister, California. I had actually gone out with a specific image in mind that never panned out. Somewhat disappointed, I turned my car around and began driving home when I rounded a turn and spotted this scene.

I had been aware of this setting but had never seen it backlit with this beautiful light. The recent winter rains had kept the small creek flowing and the low-angled setting sun gave a vibrant glow to the spring grasses (similar to backlit fall color)!

My main problem was getting a usable foreground. I walked the fenceline until I spotted this old log. The next trick was to get my camera into position as the barbed-wire fence meant "no trespassing." Having used a similar tactic for a recent image at Big Sur (see my blog post of Spring Lupine at McWay Falls), I positioned the camera and tripod over the fence, then turned on Live View until I got the composition the way I wanted it. Next, I used a 5-stop Singh Ray soft edged split neutral density filter to hold back the exposure on the sky and allow for proper exposure on the foreground.

In post production, very little work was needed to finish the image. I did use Nik Viveza software to balance the top left of the frame, and I used the "Foliage" filter in Nik's Color Efex Pro 3.0 to help bring out the vibrant color in the grasses. I have recently formed a relationship with Nik Software http://www.niksoftware.com and can now offer a discount on their software - please see information listed below! Please check out their products, I use them on a daily basis and I am excited to be a part of the Nik team!

My Website: "how to" articles, galleries, stock photos, and more...
www.donsmithphotography.com

Software Discounts:
Photomatix Pro 3.0 type in code at checkout: donsmithphotography
Nik Software type in code at checkout: DSMITH

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Comments (10)

Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States

Don - absolutely fantastic work! My eyes keep going back to the reflections on the small stream - just awesome! I love the composition and framing of the scene. I keep trying to climb through the barbed wire fences which keeps ripping my clothing! I will have to try your method next time - sounds a lot less painful! I am hoping to order the Nik black and white processing - I think Nik Silver - I will give it a try in the next few weeks.

2 Apr 2009 6:34am

@Scott Schilling: Hi Scott, you will meet my wife Beri on Monday. One of her only gripes about living in California (she grew up in Yorkshire, England) is that everybody fences their property off allowing no access. In England, by law, property owners are to give access along fence lines (just have to remember to close the gates so the sheep don't get out). And I agree, many a shirt has been ripped by barbed-wire fence! I think you will like Silver Efex Pro, the presets alone are worth the price!

Marie LC from France

Splendid light...

2 Apr 2009 6:39am

@Marie LC: Good morning Marie, it was all about the light in this image - that is what made me stop and explore this scene. Hope you are well!

"Marie" :-) from perth, Australia

The lighting is superb here, very relaxing and beautiful photo.

2 Apr 2009 7:39am

@"Marie" :-): Thank you Marie, my family is planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand next summer - I can't wait!

Hema Iyer from Bangalore, India

Very, very beautiful shot. The lighting is perfect.

2 Apr 2009 12:54pm

@Hema Iyer: Good morning Hema - thanks for your continued nice comments.

Eleftheria from Athens, Greece

Perfect light, yes!

2 Apr 2009 1:05pm

@Eleftheria: Thanks Eleftheria.

Tracy from La Selva Beach, United States

Superb Light! And beautiful composition too. I have been wanting to get over to that area, and the Pinnacles, too. Thank You for the inspiration!
Although now that I have gotten your e-book, I really want to plan some Big Sur work....Oh choices, choices!

2 Apr 2009 1:14pm

@Tracy: Hi Tracy, if it makes you feel any better, I do this for a living and can't get to many of the places I want to go. Was hoping for some sun this morning to shoot a poppy field I scouted the other day, and the fog is in! One thing is for certain, Mother Nature will do whatever she feels like doing! Have a great day.

john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States

Wonderful strong foreground (this seems to me a common weakness in landscape shots). Exquisite light. You have a heck of a load on your shoulders, Don; everybody expects nothing but the best from you. It's always such a treat to visit your post.

2 Apr 2009 3:03pm

@john4jack: Good morning Jack, I don't really consider posting images (or photography in general) as any type of pressure. I feel blessed that I have been given a passion for making images. There are so many talented image makers on this site alone (yourself included) that I learn from on a regular basis. Nature's beauty awaits all of us if we take the time to seek it. The key word for all of us is "time." Even as a professional, I have other commitments (there is a sports side to my business) and with raising a family, it is all a juggling act. When I do get to go out into nature with my camera, I try to turn all of that off and just allow myself to become absorbed with my surroundings, and in the end, I hope to come back with a nice image or two! Thanks for your continued nice comments, I hope all is well with you!

LauraS from Chico, United States

Oh, so lovely a scene.

2 Apr 2009 11:17pm

@LauraS: Hi Laura, it's really kind of a simple scene, but it looked so peaceful. I actually drove past this scene yesterday around 10 am in completely different light and it looked rather ordinary. Amazing how the power of quality light can transform a scene.

chakrapani from Hyderabad, India

Those are lovely colours . the foliage colour esp. The composition is good too. Dead wood on the left. live wood on the right. life giving light from left .. and a stream... ethereal !

3 Apr 2009 5:40am

@chakrapani: Good morning Chakrapani, I completely missed the dead wood / live wood connection as I was just trying to piece together nature's elements! Thank you for pointing that out!

john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States

Don, it was with a slight tongue in cheek that I spoke of pressure. It is just that your photographs are so outstanding. You clearly have set a standard of quality for yourself. And from that, we all benefit. I am learning from you every day. It is like taking a class from you. In fact, spending serious time with excellent photographs is perhaps my most valuable teacher.

3 Apr 2009 1:39pm

@john4jack: I figured as much Jack, and I always appreciate your insights. I am just at a stage in my life and career where it is time to give back a lot of this knowledge which I have accumulated along the way. Perhaps this is my way of thanking all of my mentors.

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