fall foliage 2011 "Aspens Kissed by the Equinox Sun"

I'm prepared to respond to the critiques about the ostentatious sunstar. "Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!". In other words, I like the effect. It creates drama when no real drama existed. Well, what I mean to say is that the sky was as bland as rice cakes, so I needed to infuse about the only thing that would offer some drama. In this case, the last light kissing the tops of the trees produced chiaroscuro lighting from a brilliant light source. That's a recipe for some drama on a day that really had nothing to offer other than the incredible foliage. As incredible as it was, I felt it needed a little more intensity, so blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!

Thanks for any comments! Of course, the Larger version is

recommended!!

wonderful image Mark, well done.

Rich.

OK, Mark, here's a bit of blah, blah. I would crop it just below the complete blowout of the sun so that you are left with the beautiful rays only. That works better for me, and is a lot more subtle to boot.

I dont see drama in the Sun, I see a massive distraction to what is a very colourful landscape. To me the sun offers no appeal at all. Does drama in the sky need to compete with the elegance of colour and contracst in the landscape, I dont think so, Thats my Blah Blah.

Mark, when I first opened this image, it took my breath away.  What more could I say?

Beautiful image. Wonderful colours, and the blown out sun doesn't distract me one bit. Well done! Regards.

Thanks Olaf, Richard, Jeff, Richard and Margo! Jeff, that crop would work well and as you said, make it more subtle. I appreciate the feedback. I would say that would give me two images, because I would not likely discard the less subtle of the two. I like it. Richard, it really must be a personal thing. I have always been attracted to images that have a sunstar (not just mine, but from other photogs). In this case, I can agree that much of the sun has blown. A tighter sunstar would have been better, but the light was so harsh. I know Jeff avoids the sun like the plague, but I actually seek it because there is something special to me about strong backlighting. Once the sun was down, I continued shooting for the "elegance of color and contrast" and came away with the more subtle landscapes. I like both!

Mark, the sun is incredible, perfect, and justifies the brilliant backlit trees. No problem from me, I think it is great! I'm sure happy to see that somebody else around here uses this effect.

Blah, blah, blah. blah, blah and on and on I like it a lot. rek.

This version for its greater depth range, not to mention brilliance. Love the quiet second scene composition all on its own to the left. 

Hi Mark, I also use a 60D and CS3. I wish I was as good with mine as you are with yours. I like it! It's perfect just as it is. Thank You for doing it the way you did.