"Autumn After the Burn"

I have been meaning to get up into the Kern River Canyon above Lake Isabella for awhile. I have been here in previous autumns and seen some respectable fall colors. The willows and cottonwoods are the main attraction. Finally, on Sunday, I had ample time to scout the area and possibly get something new. The light was fantastic for the more intimate landscapes. When I arrived, I was blown away by the fire devastation. I had remembered seeing news about the fire, even saw the plumes of smoke when I was returning from my summer trip to the Eastern Sierra. I had no idea how extensive the damage was. Miles and miles of burn across the western slopes had occurred, leaving the landscape charred and void of the fall colors I had hoped for. As I considered turning around, I spied a voluminous cascade with some bright yellow willows. This was about all I could manage compositionally this morning; extracting a piece of the landscape that wasn't devastated. Looking beyond the cascades, the cindered trees occupy the upper frame as my way of editorial inclusion. The Larger preview provides ample detail. Thanks for your observations!

Thanks for taking a look!

The morning light coming from the left just gives a fantastic tone to the whole image complimented by the excellent rendition of the yellow willows while a little portion of the bluish distant hill on the upper left gives depth to the picture. Really deserves to be viewed in larger version where outstanding details are very apparent in this wonderfully composed landscape. Superb work, Mark. Worth the effort! - Lester

Its all good!  Love the fall colors and the lighting rocks.  As always you turn in some good captures....Lefty

Thanks Lester and Ray!! The light this particular morning was just right for scenes without sky. It was a bright overcast that acted like a huge soft box. I suppose another possibility would be to crop across the top and exclude the burn and most of the top of the big boulder, but I think I will stick with my original intention!

Very nicely composed Mark, I especially like the "boulder artwork'" As always from exposure to PP. it's just spot on. Kudos

Thanks Leo! I was ready to send this down to the C file, but your comment has made me want to upgrade it instead. What ever is pleasing to your eye is food for inspiration for me!

Mark- Nice mix of textures and colors in this intimate shot. The water looks a tad overexposed, even using the large prevew.  Not your more typical grand view, but I like this.

Harry

Thanks Harry! Yup, the water is overexposed a tad, but it was the best I could do without underexposing the shadows. Technically, the water is within clipping by a fair margin, but it appears bright in context. I printed a 10x15 today, and there is ample detail in the water in the print, but I'm with you; it sure would be nice to have some more tone in the water. Perhaps I will go back and tinker, but as I always point out, the print is my goal. I have darker frames that I could blend in, yet they show the water as frozen, and I like movement in the water. Thanks for your observation!!

Harry is right about the water and so are you, there is detail, however toned down, would not only show more detail but take "the eye" away to enjoy the rest of this wonderful photograph. This is based on the fact that the eye is always drawn to the brightness area and tends to linger there.

Superb landscape!

Thanks Apurva and Leo again! I think, Leo and Harry, that there is another way of looking at it perhaps. When I printed this, the water actually has much more detail. Depending on monitors (some may be calibrated brighter, as I do mine) the water could look washed, even with a minimal calibration to a brighter setting. Meanwhile, the water with sufficient detail could be the main attraction, depending on where one might find interest. In this scenario, the rocks and willows are supporting elements which occupy negative space. They just happen to be interesting also, which is why I am growing fonder of this image each time I revisit it. I really enjoy good feedback, so Thanks again for your inputs!!

Splendid location and moment you caught,IMO  water looks very good here and complete this excellent autumn scene,would be interesting to see more images from here if you have,compliments.

i would like to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

thanks for the comments and support.