"Open Gate to the Granite Kingdom"

Mark,

I am really torn with this one. First let me say that I think you have a number of really beautiful images from this trip and I was actually telling someone about them today because they are so fantastic.

Your choice of aperture and the sharpness created throughout this image is spot on. The horizon feels like it is a bit off - left to right, but that is easily fixable. What I am torn about is the green of the plants in the foreground. While they create a certain amount of visual interest, in the end I found them to be distracting from the grandeur of the image. My eye is continually drawn back to them and away from the river, trees, mountains, etc., that otherwise make this an amazing image. I recognize that they create a unique aspect to this image from the many other images of the park, but in the end I found them to be more of a distraction.

I am not a landscape photographer but you have created an amazing group of images with this trip that are truly enjoyable to see - thanks for sharing.

Greg

In a way, this is almost a nineteenth-century image of the Yo Semite valley. For all the detail and extreme DOF, it presents, in fact, a very Romantic vision of the untrammeled West. The green grasses, while a bit distracting at the smaller size, seem to add an important difference from the usual shot of the Valley, especially at the 'Larger' size.

And all of this with a NON-PRO CAMERA! (Shudder!) With a super-zoom lense (sic) to boot. What would the pro's (sick) say about using such a small apature (sicker)? Where is the BOKEH? :D

Thanks Michael, Wanghan, David, A.K., Gaetan, Greg and Les! Greg, I appreciate the honest feedback. Actually, It was my primary intention to include the grasses, being that such a vivid green partially covered in snow seemed inconsistent with a snowy scene, a unique contrast if you will. I know images succeed more often if they are simplified, but for this photographer, more information makes a scene more compelling as long as it is arranged in a meaningful away. In fact, I have been drawn to the more chaotic scenes, i.e. Robert Glenn Ketchum style. I just think there's more to observe. Les, no Bokeh needed haha! Really, the 60D is considered a prosumer I guess, but it is probably notches above the former pro cameras from the early digital age, so it is really a matter of perspective. I remember when Nikon came out with a 6 mp pro camera way back when that couldn't hold a candle to the 60D. As far as the lens, the jury is still out as to whether it is all that, but I am happy with the sharpness, just not sure I can deal with some chromatic aberration issues that reared their ugly heads with the contrasty snow scenes. It is probably one of the best lenses that covers that range (18-270), and lets face it, almost any current gear can create a tack sharp 1200 pixel wide image, given a tripod is used. The rubber meets the road when the image is printed 24 inches wide and up!

A fabulous photo of this majestic scene, Mark.

Great sharpness from front to back and brilliantly balanced exposure.

My compliments!

Often shot/painted, but still a fantastic scene well captured. Just because others have done it doesn't lower the signifcance of your work. This is my fav. from your set and the green grass is what makes it for me, providing a nice frame at the bottom, and showing that this might be the first snow of autumn. I love Yosemitie, but normally prefer the high country because the valley is so crowded in summer. I'm a teacher, so that's when I visit so I can hardly wait to retire and come down in the off season to hike, ski, and photograph. Thanks for the stoke.