Benton Hot Springs and the White Mountains, California

[Donald]

As I drove down the hill on 120 going towards Benton and the Junction with Highway 6, my first reaction when I saw this scene emerging was 'Moonrise, Hernandez'. I know it looks nothing like that, but the low buildings, hills in the background just combined to bring that image to mind.

I knew I had to stop and get this as I could see the final image clearly in my head. I didn't want it to be an imitation of 'Moonrise ...', it needed to be my image.

Given that I made the image I 'saw' and wanted to make, I am pleased and proud of it. But, as always, I welcome a critique from my peers.

[LePetomane]

Donald, beautiful image. Keep them coming.

[Wavelength]

Excellent image

[billtils]

Donald, the allusion is clear, but the image stands very well on its own merits. As Paul David says, keep them coming - please.

[Mike Buckley]

This also reminds me of Moonrise but it only reminds me of it; it's clearly your own image. Well done!

[Daisy Mae]

That is stunning. Superbly detailed.

[Round Tuit]

... I am pleased and proud of it.

Rightfully so. This is superb.

André

[ccphoto]

I think what strikes me as most impressive is how you were able to show a distinct separation between the three mountain ridges. It does have the Moonrise quality to it, but in order for it to lose that quality to remain singularly your own, it had to have "this" something else. For that, Bravo.

[madcrow]

I don't believe one can take the perfect shot but this is as near to perfection one can get.

[Donald]

Thank you all so much for those positive comments. You think you know when you've got a good one, but then start to wonder if others will think the same. I'm pleased that those of you who have commented so far think that is so.

Two things about the making of this - One photographic, the other not.

In processing this I had to be really careful with the 'Structure' (Silver Efex Pro slider) and sharpening. Because of the detail in the scene, particularly all the loose rock on that first hillside which just looked really crunchy if I over-sharpened or put in too much local contract.

The second part of this is - I pulled over up above Benton Hot Springs. It was hot and dusty and not the sort of place you'd pull over if you were just wanting to stop a while. I had the boot/trunk of the car open to get the camera gear our. A younger man in a large 4 x 4 pulled up alongside me, rolled down his window and said, "You okay, sir?". Clearly he just wanted to check that there was nothing wrong with me and that I didn't need help. That represents what I have written earlier about how I have found American people to be. The warmth and friendliness of that gesture was quite moving. I know that probably wouldn't happen everywhere in the US, but the fact that it did happen here, to me, made is a wonderful gesture or humanity and friendship. I'm afraid to say that, nowadays, it would be very rare to find that happening in this country (the UK).

[Mike Buckley]

Clearly he just wanted to check that there was nothing wrong with me and that I didn't need help. That represents what I have written earlier about how I have found American people to be.

My experience is that that's typical of all people in the more rural areas of the world and less so in the more urban areas. As an example, if it had been a busy highway in a more urban area, it might not have happened because the vast multitudes would be thinking that someone else has already stopped to help or will soon do so...and nobody ever does. There are other factors as well.

[rpcrowe]

It's wonderful how the friendliness of individuals can influence out attitude towards a nation and its people. Like the man who stopped to offer you help.

When I arrived in Istanbul, several years ago, my wife and I were on the bus from where the plane disgorged us to the terminal building. The bus was crowded but, a Turkish boy and his sister stood and gave us their seats. After we were sitting, the boy smiled and said in English, "Welcome to Turkey!"

[Donald]

I wonder what this image would look like with a large moon in the sky?

Now that would have been a bonus, Richard.

I too am wondering where I could be next week for a shot of that moon.

[Donald]

In fact, Richard, your post just reminded me about this. I'm going to be at 56.2802°N 3.3893°W, looking over some of my favourite trees that have featured in a number of images that I've posted here in the past.

[rpcrowe]

Here is what my Photo Club Posted.

http://www.meetup.com/northern-san-d...2302&https=off

I have to figure oit where the moon will be in the sky, in relationship to shooting positions. I have a large number of places, quite near my house, from which I coild shoot...

[Donald]

It's great getting all these positive responses, but I'm sure there are some people who've viewed the image and haven't commented must be thinking, "What are they on about? What's so great about it?" OR "That's not a great image". So, come on and pitch in your comments too.

[Manfred M]

More lovely images - I suspect you must be running short on space to hang all these.

Just as an aside, Moonrise, Hernadez New Mexico is one of my least favourite Ansel Adams works.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

OK, you read my mind Donald.
When I first opened the thread and saw the picture, my first thought was "Man that looks grainy."
On closer inspection I see it isn't grainy, it's just highly detailed rocks.
Maybe I've seen too much of this type of landscape in person to be really moved by it. I don't know.
It just doesn't do all that much for me. Neither does Moonrise though, so don't feel slighted.
Maybe I just can't get into b&w landscapes that much.

[Donald]

Just as an aside, Moonrise, Hernadez New Mexico is one of my least favourite Ansel Adams works.

Is it not a hanging offence to say that?

[Craigie]

I visited that area of America in 1995. I was not into photography at that time and did not have a camera of any sort. If I had, I would have been very happy to have captured that image, its stunning.