The Waking Of The Rock Lord

Many thanks for your interest and kind words. It might get a lot worse than this : - )

Best Regards

Alf

 

JOE

 

I think most of us can get the basics right, but as you know thats only half the story, or maybe only a tiny fraction of it!  Because these days processing can make so much difference to an image. The B & W processing has been arribved at over a period of time and a great deal of trial and error. I don't know if I have it right, but the reviews seem to suggest that it looks ok.

I like the "American Werewolf in London" ananlogy and its very gratifying to read that this image fires your imagination to think of such drama and atmosphere. 

The essential ingredient of this image I feel,  is the timing.  Almost without exception I find the right light at dawn and dusk. Overcast days are sometimes ok, but nothing can replace that special first and last light.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and most encouraging feedback.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

TAMARA

 

I agree, the photo of the scenery itself was my primary objective and I chose the rock purely as a bit of foreground interest. I was fairly content with the scene as it was. It was only later when I processed the image that the Rock Lord manifested itself to my imagination.  I'm so glad you enjoyed this one Tamara....and oh look I think old gummy ( the rock Lord) is smiling back at you : - )

Sincere Thanks & Warm Regards

 

Alf

 

DAVE

 

I might just get this one printed as you suggest. On its own it looks to be a desolate boulder strewn landscape, but the realistion of the rock creature adds a bit more interest. The sky was interesting, the different levels of cloud and mist continually changing was fascinating.

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback dave, much appreciated!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

TIBI

Now thats a great alternative title "Ressurection"  I'll leave the "with a grin" to the perception of the viewers : - )

Time, eternity and infinity, are difficult concepts for us mere mortals to fully comprehend.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful feedback Tibi, very much appreciated!

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

EL

 

This is a transformation from a humble landscape into a launch pad for various imaginative routes, and as you correctly diagnosed, the landscape itself becomes secondary to the theme.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

 

CHRIS

 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and enthusiastic feedback, very much appreciated!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

HAMID

 

I wish I could take the credit for compiling the image with the story already formulated, but in truth the concept of the Rock Lord was a secondary notion that I thought of when I processed the image.  You are right, I don't think it would have worked half as well without the presence of the mist.

Many Thanks for your well considered feedback Hamid, much appreciated!

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

WANGHAN

 

Sincere thanks for your interest and positive feedback, much appreciated!  Yes I agree the mist does add much to the atmosphere of the shot, and contributes to the "powerful" aspect of the image maybe.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

GAIL

 

"Timing"  you hit on the key to this shot and indeed many other fine examples of landscapes on PN.  Dawn and dusk being the best times to capture gentle light, low laying mist etc.  "Another Planet"  Yeah I can empathise with those thoughts. The area directly to the right is an old glacier from the last ice age and the grass is relatively new.  The place would have been just a grey rock strewn ampitheatre with little evidence of life, very much like another planet. 

Actually there is a B & W competition coming up, you have just nominated this one as a possible contender : - )

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the rest of us might as well just go home!

 

that's really something.  i do think it would have been better from a little lower.  did you try that?  best, j

Gorgeous vista, Alf....  I really appreciate the perspective (a little lower as Jamie above suggested, might break the diagonal of white clouds perhaps.. (?)  Keep your 'warped imagination' running -- It adds a particular narrative to the picture :-)  Love the misty barrier in the middle of the frame.... it enhances the soft glowing mood.   (& I have to congratulate you on your B&W tones here -- very fine work!) Best to you, Marjolein

A rock creature for sure, but I see a Moon or Martian creature.  A spendid presentation...  Mike

Alf,

It takes courage to walk out into that landscape, it is dark and mysterious, one must be careful not to let the imagination play tricks.  The strength of your image is in its power to generate such responses from the viewer, as attested by the range of responses this photo has received.  Excellent B&W treatment, a very good choice for this photo.

Jim

Superb!! Wonderful b&w!! Congrasts!!

Always beautiful work.

Cheers

I had to scroll WAY down to leave my comment.....a testament to how great this is!  I know the rock was the focus of your shot, but even without the rock this would be extraordinary.  The barren landscape in front and mountains with ominous sky in the background separated by that band of mist collectively create a very surreal mood.  It's one of your best!

If you go home I'll take my ball back!  : - )

 

I think the point though, is infinite variety and appreciation of all.

Good call for the lower perspective, looking at the image now I can tell it would have had interesting interplay with the head in the mist. At the time though, I was just concerned about "thirds" composition, and getting the camera settings right ASAP before the mist dissapeared.

Cheers Jamie!

 

Alf

 

MARJOLEIN

 

Many Thanks for your thoughtful comments and suggestions! 

I agree it would have been an interesting angle from slightly lower. Usually I take several shots of a subject at different angles, but in this case I was quite hasty and wanted to move one as quickly as possible to the next point of interest before the mist evaporated altogether As for the warped imagination, I don't have any control over it, and it doesn't need an awful lot of encouragement to go into overdrive : - )

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

MIKE

 

I can appreciate the "Moon" or "Martian" anaology, the site is origin of a great glacier, and the scattered boulders are the remnants of the rocks it dragged with it as it moved over thousands of years.

Many Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

JIM

 

It takes courage to get out of bed at 4.00 am : - ) But in all honesty I didn't feel any threat or danger as I walked amongst the misty desolate place, in fact alls I felt was excitement at the prospect of getting some misty shots! Strangely enough though, a week later I visited the same area and got my foot stuck in a hole, and kind of wedged under a rock, I was lucky with some wriggling and loss of skin I managed to get myself out, but the sobering thought of being stranded there trapped, and helpless stayed with me for a while! And yes, the imagination could very easilly play tricks!

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

ALBERTO

Many Thanks for your kind words and enthusiastic reponse!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

CHRISTAL

 

Many Thanks for all that scrolling to leave your invaluable comments, much appreciated!

I agree the whole scene was greater than any one individual element, and I wanted the rock purely as a bit of foreground interest.  I didn't realise it looked like anything other than a rock............until I processed it, then my imagination kicked in and the possibilties occured to me.  The B & W was definately the better version for me, as the colour version looked warm and did'nt seem to convey that same surreal mood that you mentioned.

 

Cheers Christal!

 

Alf

 

 

I like this image, because t has a foreground, middle and background. The fog gives a nice extra touch.

Ben

Hi Alf. Awesome and extroadinary came to mind when I viewed this. The light, composition and atmosphere of this is just superb. B/W was a perfect medium for this and although I am no landscape expert this has to up there amongst your greats! Into my favourites it goes.

Best wishes. Sarah.

A bit like a good story, all the best ones have a beginning a middle and an end : - )  Glad you liked this one Ben!

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

SARAH

I think you are right B & W was the right choice, the colour version was ok, but it kind of looked too warm and comfortable for the subject, if that makes any sense.  I am deeply honoured you consider it a favourite!

Many Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

A very brooding image with wonderful atmospherics and an evocative backstory ;-) Love the mist!

I didn't notice it until I opened up the larger version but there is a noticeable halo above the darkest mountain in the center... easily fixed before printing.

Well spotted I didn't notice it myself, but I will make the necessary adjustments for any that I print.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and observations Dave, very much appreciated!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

Hi Alf,

This scene demonstrates the beautiful world that we live in.

The BW tends to isolate our minds from processing the color content, such that our mind opens up to accept the value of the various elements found with in the scene.

Nice accomplishment.

Best Regards,  Mike

 

It is an interesting point well made. We do tend to see only colour and sometimes to the detriment of everything else, like shapes and textures, light and shadow. I guess B & W focuses our senses in a different way. I'm very pleased you liked this one Mike.

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

The longer I look at this image the more I am drawn to it more so after reading your caption. Truly the rock in the foreground has a character in itself being placed on top of a mound as if it has its own life. The image speaks well of morning and catching the mist with the rising sun is a moment excellently captured. Amazing in black and white, this is a wonderful landscape, Alf.

 

Best regards!  -  LESTER

With a lower viewpoint the rock would have almost risen above the mist and jeopardized the tension and sublime hint of movement created by lines and shadows. So, my opinion: perfect as it is :-)

A lovely shot taken in God's own country ! I like the B&W to portray the starkness and ruggedness of the terrain.

Regards.....John

Many Thanks for your keen observations and positive feedback, very much appreciated!  There is something primeval about that simple lump of rock, as you say a character in itself, that seems to emerge from the crust of the earth. Glad you liked this one Lester !

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

WOLFGANG

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful analogy and observations.  I kind of now wish I'd taken the photograph from both perspectives just to compare. Being the photographer, trying to look at it objectively is difficult. My own analysis  : - Is that the element of seperation would be lost if the rock was amongst the mist or above it. On balance I'm with you on this one!

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

JOHN

 

You must know this place so well. I took a walk up to "Lake Australia" I think thats the common name for it. Pheww what a hike, and with all that photo gear. Worth it though what a beautiful place! Gods own country indeed!  Glad you liked this one John.

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

 

Exquisite image with a superb b/w feeling and a wonderful metamorphosis.  A story telling picture Alf, congratulations!

Panayotis

Fantastic work as usual! Best regards

I think you used the perfect adjective "metamorphosis" to describe this scene, it really does say it all.

My sincere thanks for your thoughts and observations!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

SADEGH

 

You are very kind! Thank you for your interest and thoughtful comments!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

I see this one has evoked one hell of a response and rightfully so. You seem to have a knack for turning a simple landscape into something that's mythological, a playground for the Titans.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and most encouraging feedback.

It's always very gratifying to read that a photo I have taken captures the imagination of others and even better when it provokes a "feel" of the image as I think this one did.  I have been most fortunate.

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

Hi Alf- Cripes-you guys all have it wrong.Can't you see the poor guy is scared silly,who would blame him. the poor guy is up ton his neck in quicksand. Sorry I can not help,seeing as how a few thousand miles separate us.Anyway the rest of the scene is worth commenting on. Those great black clouds & the morning mist help to increase the impression this is not a very pleasant place,except for those & I expect you are one of us. who like their landscape on the rugged side The crowd ahead of me have expressed their views quite well, all I can say is I receive pleasure in viewing your always well crafted images , including this one. Best Regards-Ross