Ghost Rainbow, Owens Lake

Image Critiques
1

Image(s)

Owens Lake Morning.jpg
Owens Lake Morning.jpg3000×1941 2.9 MB

Image Description

Went out on Owens Lake to photograph birds at dawn, got this other-worldly scene as well. The Eastern Sierra’s intermittent showers often reward the photographer with rainbows and related features.

Feedback Requests

It has been challenging to avoid over-processing this scene. I didn’t do much to it except clean up the file (dust on the sensor from the day before) and take down the blue, which got a little unreal with the contrast slider. Wanted to make the rainbow and beams pop, but that would have betrayed the ghostly reality of the moment, a great memory if not a winning photo!

Pertinent Technical Details

Well I had set up for birds so had to take off the telephoto and put on a 24-80MM, but in the rush to shoot this before it disappeared I forgot to change settings, so shutter at 1/2500th and ISO 1100 were both unnecessarily high! Should have calmed down, put up a tripod, etc.!

2

James, this is a fine catch, with the crepuscular rays creating a rainbow. When I’ve seen similar, it’s usually with the rainbow towards the bottom of the rays. The intensity of the rainbow fits the rest of the scene well.

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Thanks Mark

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Yeah, I wouldn’t change a thing. The low key treatment is what makes this photo, including the subtleness of the rainbow.

5

James: What @Mark_Seaver said. I certainly envy you the experience and think you did really well capturing such a unique moment. >=))>

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Thanks Connie — I might have to spring for a large print to see if this works as wall art !

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Stunning. I like the darkness of it. Thanks for sharing your editing process. And I’m glad you didn’t overdo the rainbow and beams.

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Thanks Elizabeth — I plan to revisit Owens Lake in stormy weather and see what develops !