Half Dome from Cook's Meadow

[Donald]

How on earth do you get a 'new' image of Half Dome, probably the most photographed lump of granite on earth. Well, head out into the gorgeous and glorious Cook's Meadow on the floor of Yosemite Valley early in the morning (6:30am), find yourself a good location which offers what you think is a good composition that is just, hopefully, that bit different ..... and wait for the sun to come up - if you want it shining on the valley floor in mid-September, your going to have to wait until about 10:30am. This one was captured at 11:26am.

I like it, but what do you think? Comments and critical analysis is always welcomed and enjoyed.

[John 2]

That's one gorgeous conversion Donald. As for originality it matters not. You've captured a memory to take home and shared it with us. I for one, am glad that you did. It's an excellent image.

[bje07]

Very nice real black and white!

[madcrow]

A good image, well taken.

[Shadowman]

Scene looks moodier and more crisp when viewed in the lightbox. Nicely captured and composed.

[mknittle]

Super image Donald.

[JBW]

just an observation and a question. As posted the foreground trees don't work for me. However in the light box they make the shot. Is this one of those shots that needs a frame?

[Donald]

just an observation and a question. As posted the foreground trees don't work for me. However in the light box they make the shot. Is this one of those shots that needs a frame?

For me, it certainly has more 'oomph' (technical term) on a darker background.

Thank you for all the comments.

[Dave Humphries]

I'm not sure about 2-3 of the biggest clumps of leaves directly blocking the view of the cliff face Donald,

I was assessing this by holding a finger in front of each in turn, while viewing at 100% in LyteBox and Full screen.

I hesitate to suggest cloning them out, but if you want an excuse to go back and just fold those 2-3 twigs temporarily back out of the shot ....

Dave

[Sam W]

Nice capture. I like the natural vignetting. However, I agree with Dave about folding the twigs back out of the shot.

[Mike Buckley]

It really is amazing to see the positive impact of the dark background provided by the Lytebox, perhaps more so than on any image I can remember viewing. Perhaps hanging the image on a dark wall or using a large, dark mat to frame the image would have the same effect.

just fold those 2-3 twigs temporarily back out of the shot ....

My wife does that sort of thing quite regularly for me when I'm photographing an outdoor subject. However, Donald was alone and had nobody to do that, not that he would have chosen to do it even if he had that option.

[Donald]

... not that he would have chosen to do it even if he had that option.

[JohnRostron]

I am unaware of pre-existing images of this subject, so I can assess it as it stands. My assessment is excellent! I am not bothered by the leaves in the foreground. I always find that such extras are just part of the ambience.

No need to go back, just have great memories of your visit.

John

[ccphoto]

I have to disagree with Dave Humphries on his assessment of the leaves and it is one of the few times I have disagreed. But, just because I have to wait for morning pills to hit bottom and had nothing else to do, I cloned and content aware filled those clumps out and in my opinion, the shot goes from art to postcard pretty quickly. Postcard appears to be overly contrived whereas art is au natural.

As with many of my own shots, I don't get much bothered by natural elements in the scene, It's what's there and making art from "what's there" is the challenge to all of us. I did knock down the mid-ground grasses a tad from the 230-ish range to closer to 185-ish in gray value, and that becomes a toughie due to working with a smaller file and on a different monitor. I did this because I don't like my eye stopping before it gets to the prize. I don't mind it going back and exploring the journey, but on the first run, I want the full and immediate impact, but that's just me.

[ccphoto]

Curious as to what lens you are using. This has a bit of a tilt shift quality to it???

[Donald]

Curious as to what lens you are using. This has a bit of a tilt shift quality to it???

Chris - This was taken with the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L USM on board my 5DS body.

I'm just full of admiration for the quality of the cloning job!

[Wavelength]

The power of B&W photography

[bnnrcn]

IMO cloning worked fine, very nice image Donald