"Xiaoping's Gift"

Xiaoping is my wife. I would describe her as generously tolerant of my love for photography. While on our family vacation, she suggested that we all go view the sunset on Lake Tahoe. She said the clouds looked promising (something I always say and something she rarely says). We were getting ready to head out from our condo when our three month old son began an unwelcome meltdown. I worked at settling him down to no avail. No sense in dragging him along, so Xiaoping told me to go for it; she would pass on the sunset and stay at the condo with Jerry. Flying by the seat of my pants, my 4 year old daughter and I arrived at the very moment the sunset was unfolding. I threw together the best composition I could find. Whether or not I succeeded is not important, being there was very uplifting. Please click the image for a Larger view. Thank you Xiaoping, I love you!

Thanks for any feedback!

Stupendous, including the scene, your capture and Xiaoping's generosity. I'm not sure I would have traded a sunset for diapers and babysitting :-)... Mike

 

 

I had wanted to compliment you on the nice composition, and learning how quickly it had to be made makes it even better. Very nice work.

As beautiful as this is (thrown together or not), it still takes a back seat to your loving tribute to Xiaoping. She sounds like a great mother and very generous soul. I am also married to someone who is incredibly patient and tolerant of my photography, for which I'm truly blessed. This is such an extraordinary scene, so it looks like I'm going to have to add yet another place to my 'list'!

Mark-. You succeeded in capturing a real beauty. Great light and composition. Very well done. Regards-Jim

Thanks Mike, Stephen, Christal and Jim! I could very well have missed this. I had been up since 4 am and as the afternoon came to a close, I was ready to head back to our condo, pour a glass of wine and melt into some dinner and then slumber. As we were heading back, Xiaoping mentioned that the clouds looked good. I actually hadn't noticed, which is rare, but she almost insisted that we come back out. I owe her for this!

Mark,

This is stunning, the colors and light are pure magic. Great capture. You couldn't have given your wife a more beautiful gift. Regards, Patsy

Great colors. Regards

Mark - Great colors in this one. While not one of your strongest compositionally ( which is not to say that it isn't good, but some of your others are masterpieces!) you did well with the time you had. You may consider a little cropping to emphasize the sky - maybe above the 2 large rocks left center and to the left of the mass of trees on the right. I have found that balancing the needs of friends or wives along during a photoshoot can be as or more difficult than taking the photo! My wife and I have come to the realization that if I have photos on my mind, that I should just go do it instead of trying to make a "connection hike" turn into Harry's sunset photo opportuinity! That way she doesn't have unrealistic expectations of what our time will be like together. I would think there could be volumes written on this topic.

 

Harry

Mark it would seem we both lucked out with spouses that " tolerate " this overwhelming compassion of ours to get just " one more shot ". Becky got up almost every morning with me on my 25 day road trip so I could shoot the beautiful morning light or postpone dinner so I could shoot last light. First time she had been on a real photo expedition with me so I think she figured how my trips with the 3 Amigos play out :>). Anyhow back to your shot. Gorgeous colors with a fantastic sunset to boot. No wonder you dedicated it to her as well you should. Give you family my best...RAY