"At the Edge of Abundance and Scarcity"

Of the tree mornings I was able to get out while visiting Julian, the third outing showed the least clouds, yet the quality of light provided a more vivid hue. Perhaps the atmosphere was cleaner, as a cool front had passed through the area during the evening. As the sun began to emerge, the distant mountains and sky popped with pre-dawn color which combined nicely with the foreground vegetation. This is a 6 exposure blend, the first four being used to render a focus stack to provide sharpness throughout the scene. The remaining two exposures were used for extended tonal range, making sure to tame the light value variance from sky to foreground. I really fell in love with this area because it provided me with ample "grand scenic" landscape possibilities and also offered some of the best dawn color I have seen in years. The "Sunrise Highway"  travels north-south along the high ridge of the Laguna Mountains. With low vegetation, every turn has an expansive view. I would cherish a return to this area during peak spring wildflower season. Please enjoy the Larger preview!!

an outstanding photo. i prefer this from this series, because of the better light.

impressive colors, tones and details across the frame.

Interesting choice Zsolt! You and I share the same eye for photographs I think. I also think this is the best of the bunch. I had some reservations about posting a photo with blue-magenta cast on the distant mountains. It looks a little strong on the screen, but I feel it is an accurate reproduction of the scene. I also like the composition; the way the wash on the right zigs and zags towards the distant mountains. Mostly, however, I really like the detail of the flowering bush in the immediate foreground. The ratings are fairly low, which doesn't surprise me anymore. Anytime I throw up an image that I think is exceptional, it gets indifferent ratings and attention. I've come to the conclusion that I don't even know what's really good anymore. Well, the primary reason for my photography is a selfish one; it's strictly for my fulfillment. If others enjoy my images, then it's a good thing, but not the only thing!

Mark,  I enjoy the series, but this one ties(for me) "A Perch Above it All".  Great photography.  I appreciate your sharing of techniques used to put together a photo like this, so clear all the way to the distance.  Don't let the anonymous low-raters get to you.   I don't know why PN allows anon ratings.  Your statement, "I've come to the conclusion that I don't even know what's really good anymore"   is close to what I came up with during my first year here.  For me, it was "I obviously don't know what's good".   So I just please myself.  I hope you continue to do the same, as I enjoy your art very much.  Aloha.

Thanks Dominick, nice of you to say so! I rant sometimes when I put something up that I think is exceptional and it gets thumped with lackluster ratings. I'm getting thick skinned, however, and it doesn't bother me as much as it used to. Still, it's hard to argue with the masses. If most don't think something's good, then who's to say they are really wrong. Mass appeal favors what mass appeal favors, so to speak. We can choose to honor that appeal, or we can follow our own torch light. I think it is wise to follow our own!

Over what period of time were the six exposures to ensure no apparent movement in the foliage?

Mark. This is beautiful and very well crafted image and it deserves to be ranked higher that the current 4 point something. I am rating it 6. I know it is an accurate rendition of what you saw but based on my personal tastes I hoped you would have been blessed with a different sky.

For what it is worth I am also left with the same feeling of not knowing what has 'mass appeal'. I had an Alaska sunrise image which I thought was decent with lots of very nice comments and could only garner a 4 average.

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=13260113 - Have a look at this link for a mini discussion where I put my 4 year old granddaughter's out-of-focus image and it scored almost as well as my Alaska image. 

PS I came across your image via facebook.

Excellent foreground, beautiful image.

Cheers.

Bela