Probably captured this image the same day as the one Rachel posted. I go back and forth on whether I like this one or not.
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: D. Robert Franz
Shutter speed: 1/200 sec
Aperture: 11
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: +1
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Hi Dale - I remember this stop. We originally passed the line of bison but then the landscape photogs among us wanted to stop for the river and some trees. You and I looked at the bison and shot them. I like your comp much better than mine of the same scene which I haven't processed because I wasn't really happy with any of them. I think we should have hiked back the 1/4 mile or so to where we first saw them and shot from there. I get what you are saying about the image, while I like the bend in the river and the stretched line of bison, it just doesn't really do the actual scene justice.
I wonder if this might be more effective as a black and white.
I like the sense of place and cold I get from it, Dale...the layering is also nice.
What this needed, for me at least, was more simplicity. Cleaner LHS edge with space to the left of the big tree, and perhaps some more of the bison line's legs visible?
Hi Dale i love the Yellowstone winter scene with the Bisons small in the frame and being lined up .
For me the tree is a bit distracting as posted , but think nothing you can do about unless you have more space to the left. It sits bit tight to the edge for my taste .
I would back off on sharpening on the tree as it does look a bit crunchy and has some slight haloing around the top branches .
TFS Andreas
Hi Dale, I always enjoy seeing your work. Another ethereal image, the only thing i would like to exclude from this image is the tree on the LHS, rest everything works for me.
To everyone, thanks for the comments and suggestions. This scene presented a number of difficulties. If I framed more to the left there was even more distractions. Frame right, same thing. Going tighter would eliminate the FG stream which I like and change the feel of the photo by putting the line of bson on the center line of the image. I tried that. As far a separation of the bison legs and snow? Only less snow depth or longer legged bison would help that. I must say that I get comments about my sharping or crunchiness???? To me on my monitor they look just fine, perhaps some of the newer monitors with high resolution see things differently than my (formerly pretty good, but getting old) monitor. This image would probably lend itself to B&W but that's something I never mess with and don't really care for.
Considering all things here Dale, it's a pleasing scene that captures the true spirit and nature of Yellowstone NP, and think the placement of that large pine is crucial to anchor the image.
It's so true that we can never totally capture (with a camera) what we see with our eyes, especially in landscapes..................maybe one day.
I gather that this is steam from the hot springs and not smoke.....correct?