"Red, Green, White and Blue"

The possibility of me getting out this year for fall colors is looking bleak. I so hate to miss this event, but life goes on still. Luckily, I have some autumn leftovers from November of 08. The color of the leaves in this Paso Robles vineyard were mostly brown appearing from flatter light. The trick was to catch them at a slight backlit angle which illuminated them and then dial in my polarizer which also brought the sky out as well. From this vantage, it was just a matter of stacking the layers of color. Obviously, the polarizer also dialed in a vignette in the UR, but I don't think it detracts from the scene. This was a splendid morning to shoot, with low fog coming in and out. Thanks for your comments and as always, enjoy the Larger preview!!

great colors. very good composition. i love it.

Well done, Mark. As always, your thoughtful photography and way of explaining it and your treatment are so helpful to appreciate the image.  I like way the vineyard stands apart from the background and the rolling fog blending to clouds in the back.  California vineyards are compelling subjects for photography - I need to get out and get some shots! Best regards,

Without question, the beauty of Fall colours provides the photographer with wonderful photo opportunities but one can also feel a sense of overload, with almost too much visual stimulation.  In the north east where I live, photos taken in the early Fall are often balanced with a liberal amount of green.  In this photo the green really helps show off the vibrant reds, while the mist appears to be enhancing the range of visible green tones. The vines in their orderly lines set against a backdrop of green is very appealing.  A lovely photo!

Jim

Thanks Cosmin, Anne and Jim! Yes Anne, you should try and get out in the vineyards during the fall. I think the best color arrives at the end of October and into November. I was fortunate here. I was allowed to shoot these vineyards at sunrise without any escort. I had the entire place to myself. Just had to climb alot of hills to get into position since they don't allow cars up on the trails. Jim,you are so right, the green sets off the reds. I like this simple composition but it doesn't seem to be a majority favorite. Thanks for your comment!

As gorgeous as this is, for me there is perhaps too much going on.  The lighting is so spectacular, and that fog coming in from the left adds a wonderful dimension.  My nit is that the blue sky detracts from the dramatic colors and mood of the vineyard.  When I cropped out the sky and made it a more pano shot, the fields jumped alive to me and the diagonal became more pronounced.  Anyway, it may not be to your liking at all.....but that's my 2 cents anyway.  And isn't autumn the best time of year to shoot?  The first thing we're going to do when I retire is take a fall trip and follow the fall colors (probably up the eastern seaboard).  I hope you'll be able to get out and shoot a little this fall!  Take care!

Christal, I agree and think your suggestion is a clever observation. As you indicated, cropping all of the sky so just green and red are showing makes a nifty image with a strong diagonal and a simpler scene. Of course, I'll have to change the title. How about "Red and Green". Thanks!!

Just totally superb Mark. Beautiful layers and terrific light. It is a really a breathtaking view.

Best

+Lalit