Shot during twilight hour I missed a brilliant red and gray sky while hurrying to set up the tripod. But this works for me. Sky was very pale and used Lightroom white balance and a saturation slider to try and get an even balance, not sure if I overcooked it. Do you think the sky works with the meadow tones and colors? That Elderberry tree on the right side was just a skeleton with dead branches during the not so long ago California drought years. Thanks for viewing, all comments welcome.
Stephen, this photograph reminds me of a dictum of one of my favourite photographers and teachers, Sam Abell. It was something he learned from his father and which he claims, informs all of his photographs - “Compose the image from back to front and wait.” I think that is exactly what you’ve done. And it is a perfect composition - I can’t think of a singe thing to say about it that would improve it … except the second half of Abell’s dictum - “wait”. I think you have the perfect stage setting - the colours, the light, all lovely - but something needs to happen. Maybe a bird takes off from out of the tree or someone walks into the frame - I haven’t a clue. But wait. Abell says he usually gives it up to about twenty minutes and if nothing comes of it, he lets it go and moves on. So, maybe that is case with this image. We can be prepared but we can’t make it happen. All we can do is wait.
@Kerry_Gordon, Kerry thanks for commenting on my photo. I understand what you are saying. Its a big field of stillness and quiet and I guess the image is totally dependent upon the light and golden colors to issue a response. For me, knowing this area for years, the image evokes a more personal response, I can’t recall the grasses flooding with such color, so I was moved to stop and make the image. It is a meadow easily accessed and indigenous peoples still obsessionally gather here to harvest their basket making materials. Would have loved a few deer or a hawk to coming swooping through, but alas…no.
Hi Stephen, the complimentary colour of the sky and grass works for me. I did notice a couple of dust spots in the sky when viewing the full sized image.
Warming the magenta tones a little and cooling the yellows a touch gives the scene more presence to my eye but that’s definitely subjective.
@Nathan_Klein, Thanks for your input, Nathan. Yes, I guess I missed a few dust spots, definitely time to get a professional sensor cleaning. On the warm and cooler tones, my usual orientation is to warm the grasses and cool the sky magenta. But glad you think it seems to work.
So you missed the red sky. But as long as the image has some special meaning for you, that’s what matters most. Twilight can do interesting things to light and color, and you can get some interesting twilight glow on things, such as these grasses. If the sky had been flaming red, the grasses likely wouldn’t have looked this way either. I agree with @Kerry_Gordon, you have a well thought out composition. And the good news is that it sounds like you live near this location and can easily re-visit it. I enjoy traveling to exotic landscape photography locations as much as the next person. But I also have a handful of favorite close to home locations that I know intimately, and can quickly get to them if there are interesting weather or lighting conditions. You’ve already worked out a good comp, now you can revisit the place hoping for different light/weather. for example, It might be interesting to shoot the same composition in each different season, and show that as a collection.
Stephan,
This is one of those quiet and inviting scenes that one can appreciate if they take the time to slow down and look. The sky is quite nice and the subdued light is perfect for bringing out the lovely earth tones of the grasses. I hope you were able to capture some more intimate images of just the grasses as I think that would also work. The good thing is that this sounds close to home and you can work the area when conditions are right for you. Beautifully done.
This is a beautiful rendering of a scene that I did not think existed in CA any more … with development and grazing.
A long lifetime ago I could take my dog for long walks in native fields and cottonwood fringes, like this place.
Your careful attention to luminosity is the key to this image’s success for me. The sky gradients, the soft distant brightness of the far meadow, and the careful treatment of the forbs and grasses to bring forth their color and texture (but keeping them in a supporting role).
@Dick_Knudson@Ed_Lowe@Ed_McGuirk Thanks for commenting on the Oak Woodland Meadow Image. Posted almost a month ago and had pretty much given up on additional comments. Much appreciation to all.
[quote=“Dick_Knudson, post:8, topic:15212”]
This is a beautiful rendering of a scene that I did not think existed in CA any more … with development and grazing.
[/quote] It is a unique habitat that remains intact most likely with some invasive “weeds” To some it is considered sacred ground as the resources have been used for generations. Thanks for the luminosity comments, Dick.
Ed M and Ed L thanks for your comments, the area is within my comfort zone of daily travel and I go up into these Santa Ana Mountain “wilds” often, used to be for practice now to improve and try to fine tune.
