Mammatus Clouds and Barn, Palouse

Just beautiful.

An excellent photo, perfect composition, details, colours... congratulations!

I saw such an artificial landscape around me. And I am thankful for it. A real Zeitgeist manipulation. I wish big success!

Thanks guys.

RE-I'm not quite sure I understand your comment.  Are you saying that you think this image isn't real?  I assure you it is very real.  Maybe I misunderstood your comment (because you do wish me big success?)  I hope so.  Sorry if I did.  For future reference, none of my images are artificial, no elements have been added, skies pasted, etc.  In fact, I don't even know how to do that. 

It's simply impressive. Perfect semplicity, superb dramatic power.

Thanks very much for the comments!  I can't win on this site.  I'll have about a 6.6 or so average, and all of a sudden someone comes along and gives out a 3 or 4 because it feels good and bumps my average down a whole number or more.  Who could possibly think this rating system is beneficial to anyone, especially us photographers.  These people are spineless, and never give comments as to why they think this is a 3.  Does this feel good?  I just can't understand the personal benefit here. Who thinks this rating system is good?  Maybe I am missing something here.  I'm probably going to take this down if this trend continues.  Sorry for the post/delete.  I would never consider a paid account on this site until they fix the rating system, but have paid accounts on all the other sites I frequent.

Sorry for the rant guys-for some reason this just really gets me.  And then, they go and change it, making it worse! Now I have absolutely no idea what ratings anyone is giving and why!

Superb work,the most exquisite sky and mood,my compliments

like photo!! fine work!!

Wow!  What a stunning image!

Thanks guys!  I really appreciate the comments.

Oh, and thanks for the low score again.  Show your face.  If you don't back up your negative rating, what you are doing means nothing.

Wonderful work. Thanks for sharing. Best Regards.

Outstanding! The patterns of clouds and the contrast are very nice. The composition is simple and well balanced.

wow, i give it 7,how did you handle the exposure like this?thanks^^

You said it Chip, what they are doing means nothing. Actually, if a low rating gets such a negative and defensive response, then they feel they are doing something. That is why they do it. To get a reaction. And the best of the best are their targets. This photograph is the best landscape I have seen in months. Perfect composition, excellent timing, skillful postpro, great subject matter, ad infinitum. There is nothing someone could say wrong about this image. Don't sweat the anon low ratings, they are meaningless. Fine work Chip!!

Wow, amazing cloud formations!

for me absolutely great work............perfect sky, perfect light on the hills.....so a great landscape.........7

simone

Very good composition, This is a really good landscape photo. 

I like the quiet simplicity of this image.    It illustrates the principle that less is very often more.    I have  photographed in most of the areas you do and know the challenges one faces in trying to create a unique image there.    You are doing as good work as i've seen any where and, in fact, better than most. Keep doing what you do so well.    You inspire me to to keep pushing myself to reach beyond  the ordinary image.    And, yes The Photo.net system doesn't work perfectly.   I get frustrated with how soft my images look and the  weak colors.  

The clouds are just perfect, Chip.  What a contrast to the bright fields - is it canola?

Don't get hung up on ratings Chip, it's a stunning image, the Mammatus clouds breathe mood and life into this image, superb work!

Can't add anything more about this photograph. 7/7 for me and goes to my favorites. I share your sentiments about the ratings. - Lester

Chip, your picture and your rant go together -- the wind is going to blow. Long ago I gave up on the ratings. I really don't think they serve much of a purpose for the serious photographer on this site (there aren't all that many of them in any case). What really matters are the thoughtful critiques (regardless of whether or not they are admiring) from other photographers whose work we admire. As near as I can tell, that is the only value of this site is the exchange of information that is of value to the users. The rest is only noise.

I can assure R E above (if you're still 'listening') that the Palouse is a 'one of a kind place' where the skies do at times look unbelievable, and the artistic farm fields and contours of the land produce virtually every color of the rainbow depending on the season.  You have to see this place to believe it!  Having been there myself, I can assure you that this is real......just exquisitely processed by Chip.

Now to Chip....your work is really extraordinary, but finding this cloud phenomenon that is so unusual adds special interest to this shot.  It's so simple and artistic.........truly almost unbelievable, so I can understand the skepticism.  But you never push too far in your processing.  It's refreshing to know that there are still photographers out there who are not carrying the digital revolution to an extreme.

Keep up the great work.  I'm a huge admirer of your work, and the Palouse is one of my absolute favorite places.