around NW US

[teokf]

Our goal was to travel through Glacier National Park, but along the way we made impromptu changes to our itinerary. I was the solo driver from Minneapolis airport and back. Although it was a tiring four thousand plus miles of drive, my family and I enjoyed ourselves. I have to mention this. I have met some of the nicest Americans along the way. To think of it, we did not have any bad experiences in the NW. People who were strangers to us would approach us and inquire where we are from and when our GPS failed us because of bad weather, we always had people who were willing to help without any hesitation.

These are some of the pixs of our 20 days travel.

1. this is one of the many fine arts pieces done by the University students found around the city


2. setting sun over Gull Lake


3. This is the first sight of what was in store for the visitor to East Glacier Park


4. I do not know what this Lake is called. It is before Two Medicine Lake


5. the same Lake, from ground level


will post more pixs later

[Digital]

These are excellent photographs. Really nice composition.

Bruce

[gregj1763]

Steven, glad you had a good time. Great images but 3 & 5 are amazing
Cheers, Greg

[dje]

Very nicely done Steven. The compositions are all excellent IMO. If they were mine, I'd probably apply a Levels adjustment to the last three and move the mid-tone slider to the right a bit to increase contrast. But that's just my personal taste.

Dave

[Karm Redland]

Really like pic 5.

karm

[teokf]

Thanks for the compliments.

Dave, I do see your point. I used the in-camera Level for all the above pixs. I guess sometimes our eyes does a better job.

[teokf]

Adding a few more from Two Medicine Lake as the pixs are being processed.

The Beauty of Two Medicine Lake ... any POV is beautiful

6. my daughter is with her camera ... contemplating, which angle?


7. a tighter crop of the Lake


8. this was shot very early as the rising sunlight hit the mountain side

[Andrew1]

Thanks for the refresher Steven. I've been to Glacier well over a dozen times. Never tire of the scenery and always see something new. Try some mid-level contrast to perk up your shots. Very good photos.

[dje]

Thanks for the compliments.

Dave, I do see your point. I used the in-camera Level for all the above pixs. I guess sometimes our eyes does a better job.

Steven

I wasn't referring to how horizontal the images were, but rather to the tonal contrast in the images which could I think be improved using the adjustment called "Levels" in Photoshop. It may be called other things in different software. It allows you to change the way the levels of the tones are distributed in the histogram. I see Andrew has referred to it in his post too.

I'll post an example if you wish.

Dave

[teokf]

Thanks for the refresher Steven. I've been to Glacier well over a dozen times. Never tire of the scenery and always see something new. Try some mid-level contrast to perk up your shots. Very good photos.

thanks for the view and critique.
been there over a dozen times? I envy you 8) Do you know the name of the Lake of #4 & #5? It is before Two Medicine Lake.

[teokf]

Steven

I wasn't referring to how horizontal the images were, but rather to the tonal contrast in the images which could I think be improved using the adjustment called "Levels" in Photoshop. It may be called other things in different software. It allows you to change the way the levels of the tones are distributed in the histogram. I see Andrew has referred to it in his post too.

I'll post an example if you wish.

Dave

Dave

Thanks for clarifying Please do post an example. Also, if possible let me know the steps taken. Very much appreciated.
I use CS5

Steven

[dje]

Dave

Thanks for clarifying Please do post an example. Also, if possible let me know the steps taken. Very much appreciated.
I use CS5

Steven

Hi Steven

Here is an example using one of your images. The picture shows the Levels adjustment details. To get into this adjustment, select Image, Adjustments, Levels. The mid-tone slider has been moved to the right to a value of 0.7 but you could adjudt to your own taste. You might find this causes the colours to over-saturate a bit so you might need to back off the colour saturation (which is what I did).

Dave

[teokf]

thanks Dave ... now I learned something new. I am always busy making sure the highlights and shadow form the "bell" shape and not really understand when the mid tones are to be used.

Much appreciate

[Brownbear]

beautiful images

[teokf]

beautiful images

thanks Christina

[teokf]

Just two more from East Glacier before moving on to West Glacier.

12. I believe this is THE perfect postcard pix. When I saw it while driving I actually let out a scream and jammed the breaks. I nearly missed this place. It is secluded and blocked by firs along the road and the layover for the cars to stop is at a turn of a long stretch of winding road.


13. Lower St Mary Lake


14. The last night in East Glacier. I was hoping to shoot the aurora over the Canadian border. I went alone into bear country at 10:30pm. The weather was bad ... dark clouds, no aurora, the freezing cold was biting me, I was hopping in the middle of the road to keep warm (only 2 cars passed me in 3 half hours) and then a bit concern a bear might hover over me while I hover over the view finder. I packed up and when back to the motel where everyone was already enjoying the warmth of the bed

[ggt]

Steven!

I've bee spreading myself too thin and wish I had more time to contribute to the forum right now--especially to comment on your pictures. They are all beautiful. I'm glad you had a chance to see the NW of the US. There is a vastness in the West that cannot be described in words, only pictures. I think you captured that.

Gretchen

[teokf]

Steven!

I've bee spreading myself too thin and wish I had more time to contribute to the forum right now--especially to comment on your pictures. They are all beautiful. I'm glad you had a chance to see the NW of the US. There is a vastness in the West that cannot be described in words, only pictures. I think you captured that.

Gretchen

Gretchen, thank you for those kind words.

[Shadowman]

Very nice, very artistic.

[Nat]

Just so beautiful. I spent some time in Arizona and Utah, and I agree, there is a vastness with such beauty......you captured some of the beauty of Glacier National park with your images...well done.