Rainbow Hills

I have photographed Oregon's Painted Hills quite a bit before, but

last week the conditions were particularly nice.

Had to get out of the way for this one, as my own shadow was starting

to appear in the illuminated foreground. Some tricky tripod

positioning and selective dodging eliminated most all of it. The

bunch-grasses catching the light here were blowing in the wind during

the 1/15 second exposure but I liked the effect when seen larger. Wish

I'd gotten some lightning in the shot too.....

Thanks for any questions, critique or comments.

Crop from 14mm, no filters, single exposure processed multiple times.

after a close analizing, i still cannot recognize your post processing so you ve done a damn good job. the photo itself it is quite hypnotic so i will not trying to write a constructive critic. excellent shot.

Same stuff I always do.  Nothing special here for post-processing.  Just identifying the areas that I want to optimize, creating versions of the image that address those areas and painting it together by hand.   Thanks.

i am between the ones who understand that your images are with very few post-processing. in my comment i meant about the selective dodging of your shadow as you describe it .  i try to do some landscape photography in my country, and realize that it is all about the light, and less about post processing.

Great image Marc, a bit claustrophobic on the top. Don't know if you cropped it or not. Adding a little canvas at the top takes it back closer to a 2:3 aspect and gives the bow a little breathing room. My Canvas addition  is a bit of hack job, but anyway

Brett, I did originally have more room up top but I cropped it.  I like it like this just a little better....rule of thirds and all ;-) 

Zsolt, I do understand what you're saying and thanks for your comment. 

It's a gorgeous image. Do you make it out the to Clarno Unit much? So beautiful out there too.

Should we explain to Zsolt the difference between analizing and analyzing?

No, we should probably leave that off the thread....  But yeah, I do make it out there.  I like the whole region, really.  The high deserts of Eastern Oregon are easily among my favorite places anywhere, though it's almost more a spiritual thing for me sometimes than a photo pursuit.  Funny, that I've spent so much time out there, particularly in winter, hundreds of days of traveling over the years and have so few photos from the diverse land that it is.   Certain areas really compel me to photograph them but many areas just compel me to be there more than anything I guess.   The Clarno Unit, Strawberry's, Elkhorn's, Ochoco's, Pine Mountain, Glass Butte, Lave Beds, Abert Rim, Hart Mountain, the Steens, the Freemonts, Owyhee, etc.  All absolutely amazing to me.  I don't have a lot of my own pictures on the wall, but above my desk here sits a 74x44 inch print of the Steens with a caption on it that reads "The Way Home".   Maybe someday I'll try to bring my photography to the whole area here....maybe not.

I really hear you about the High Desert, Marc.  A lot of the places you list are home for me, too, even now that I live in Connecticut.  Have you ever made it to the Diablo Mountains or Pueblo Mountains?

(Lovely catch with this rainbow, BTW.  You picked just the right camera position to position the ends above the sunlit hills.)

Yes, John.  Both of them quite a bit.  In fact, just this summer we spent ten days in the high-country of the Oregon Canyon, Trout Creek and Pine ranges just to the south and east of the Pueblos.  Best Iris bloom I've ever seen up there in early July this year amidst the Aspens.

I am green with envy! Beautiful and very original Marc. I also love this place along with several of the other units. It was your work and my curiosity that first led me to this area...I intend to make another trek there in about a week. If only I could be so fortunate to see this and have a camera ready! Thank you for sharing

Best regards, Pamela

very nice

Fabulous composition Marc, the way the light magically falls on the golden grass is something.  I know purple and yellow are contrasting opposites but blue would make it a little more natural don't you think?   Anyway, great image!

I'm seeing blue/grey sky on my monitor.  Just a small hint of magenta in the background hills.

I like how the light inside the rainbow is lighter than the light outside of it.  I have always wondered if this was an optical illusion, but it seems to be pretty clearly that way in your image.  Great foreground, with the lean of the grass in the wind; nice lines in the painted hills, and it worked out well to place the rainbow centrally.  Looks like it was a great day.  I'm undecided on the claustrophobic at the top issue.  This photo is all about the painted hills, and the rainbow is the frame.

Special image as usual at the special special place. I had experienced a rainbow at painted hills (image is in my portfolio) amidst dark grey afternoon and lost hopes and it was a great feeling. Low clouds in May brought only 50 degrees of a rainbow, and seeing this is wonderful.

I also would have liked little breather above the rainbow myself, someone has already stated this so won;t discuss more.

I enjoy seeing your new work and in your recent images I have noticed significant increase in the contrast and little bit more saturation as well. Images are bit stronger IMHO. Worked great for your special Dunes and the dead shrub photo of Death Valley, but could have a bit mellower in others. I am curious if there are any specific reasons this change?

Best,

+Lalit

Lalit,

People have suggested that my work has changed repeatedly and constantly throughout all my years as a photographer, almost since day one.  In every case I can recall I am neither aware of this change nor have any conscious control over it.  I have never had any knowledge or understanding said changes (the one you mention or others).  All I can say is that I suspect I will continue to change.

Luminous and magical- very impressive photo!  The capture is outstanding and whatever you did to enhance it is very successful. Best regards,

I did not realize that your photos are in this gallery. In general, I thought that you no longer shoot. And so I surprised myself today. Beautiful work. 

Waw...... no words

Regards

Marc,

Your ability to capture unique moments in time is truly remarkable.

It is utterly difficult to capture unique light in a great place and you

have done it over and over again.

Best regards,

Marianna

Great shot ! Congratulations !

Mauro Vacca