"Sweetness of the Vine #485"

"Sweetness of the Vine" is one of my earliest images with my digital camera, in fact it was exposure # 485. I have had my Pentax K10D for nearly 2 1/2 years and I still have yet to crack the 10 thousandth frame count (getting close at about 9,500). I imagine this to be a low number for a digital camera that is over two years old, but I can't get away as often as I would like. This image is a special one for me. The lay of the land just comes together so well. When I took this, I had a tall chicken wire fence to deal with. Luckily, the openings were just enough to get my lens through. The next problem was the tripod legs. I managed to put the third leg through a lower opening and then work the lens through at the top. Sounds easy enough, but it is "trial and error" frustrating to get it just right. The Oleanders made a nice frame but were too close to render tack sharp. The result was worth the aggravation and after two years, I would like to go back and catch this at first light, if I can remember where it is!

The original post (over two years ago) was #486. I backed up a frame for this posting

to give a different look. Please consider the larger preview before offering a comment.

Thanks!!

I love this alot, it's beautiful!

Tis a gorgeous shot. I love the sense of depth you get looking into it, my eye following the rows up that beautiful hill to where I smack into a billowing, cloudy sky. Really nice.

Mark, this has to be one of your very best.& your correct to view it large.I would not venture to talk about technical details as that woud be like a kindergarden student telling the teacher how to do hs job.As the fellow in the museum said," Don't know much about art, but I know what I like".Visually, it is simply a pleasure to view, the lighting is superb & so many details to .examine as the eye scans all the great colours of the different elements.Definitely on it's way to my favourite photos. Regards-Ross

This picture is drop dead georgeous. Make sure if you remember where you took it you go back and let me know where it is. It's worth the drive... The colors are outstanding and as you mentioned the whole landscape flows perfectly. those oleander on the foreground contained the image and lead the eye to the more distant background.

Just perfect.

Best regards and congratulations on such awesome shot.

Alex

Excellent work!

One beauty of a scene. From the red flowers to the rolling hills and cloud system...love it...Bravo!

Gorgeous! I am green with envy on this one; even if I had been there I am not sure I could have come close to this one!

 

The lines and color draw you in and lead the eye back to those rolling hills, there is so much detail all presented in an outstanding image! Got to be one of your best!

 

Warm regards, Pamela

 

Mark,

Beautiful image. Regards, Patsy

Thank you Kelly, Ross, Alex, Maurizio, Keith, Pamela and Patsy. Ross, your analogy is far from true. Your photography is very inspiring and I have learned alot from your posts and comments. We are peers and I am certainly no teacher and you are most definitely not a kindergarten student. Your work is well respected among our other PNet peers. Well, I am humbled by your reference and your choice for this being a favorite. Alex, I actually do remember the general location. This is to the west of Paso Robles along the south side of Chimney Rock Road. This is a beautiful drive worth every bit of a day trip. Thanks to all!!

Simply amazing! An opportunity well taken and executed. Well Done!

Well, I'm quite dumbfounded by this shot! It's perfection itself......really! Every level has so much clarity, and all of the components come together so nicely. I'm just shaking my head.....actually thinking how nice it would be to take some 'lessons' with you on editing. I wonder if you'd ever consider having a summer 'camp' workshop?

astonishing to say the least, what a lovely experience to be there, just terrific, best regards, rek.

Thank you Stephen, Christal and Richard! Well, Christal, that is something to think about. You know, I see many fine photographs posted here on PNet and while they are good, they often lack the "finishing touches" that can separate them from the rest. I think it is also safe to say that I have posted a fair amount of average shots, but because of what I have gathered in the way of knowledge, especially in Post Processing, they have a chance of appearing better than average. I believe that perfection can never be achieved, but it is in the finer details that near perfection can be realized. As well as taking photos, I really love the process. I have entertained thoughts of "teaching" what I have learned. Much of my workflow is a result of trial and error. In fact, many of my best moves could be considered pleasant mistakes. As far as summer "camp" workshops, I am actually working on some things for this spring and summer here locally. I have always freely shared what I know here on PNet, but I often wonder how valuable that knowledge truly is. If you are interested in learning more, I am interested in providing. We should discuss that!

Absolut - as pure as ice - Applaud

It's nice to know that you're open to the idea at least. I obviously would need to get fairly proficient at a sophisticated editing program before 'lessons' would do me much good. But let's definitely keep that on the back burner. Thanks, Mark.....and yes, I would agree.....you're most generous with your knowledge, techniques and willingness to help along your fellow photographer. :-)

Thanks Marian and again to you Christal. Marian, I really admire your pano landscapes. They are works of beauty. Christal, you really need to crack an egg and get the CS3 or CS4 version of Photoshop. Yes, it is expensive, but it will set you free once you are able to work it. As long as you have some classmates who are willing to share some tricks, you can get a foothold. The main thing is to get in there and start playing with the various filters and adjustments. You will find yourself laying down to sleep and thinking about ways to get something done. I recently discovered a new way to create a watercolor effect combining an orton effect b&w and then layering a color version on top, blurring the color version and then setting the blend mode to color and voila! It really is cool, but I don't expect to post anything, just for fun. Check on the Wacom Tablets and see if they don't have a bundle price for the Photoshop program. Go for it!

A visual feast!

Very well done.

7/7

Regards, Chris

An amazing shot!! The whole contour of the land could be clearly followed right upto the massed up clouds. Great DOF. 7/7. Regards and best wishes - Suvendra.

What a fabulous upbeat shot. Another 7.