Mt. Rainier at Sunrise on Sunrise

[coscorrosa]

Two shots from a quick trip up to Rainier (at the Sunrise Visitor Center) the other night. Trip is recapped here (http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=138654).

http://coscorrosa.smugmug.com/photos/605699468_KNaFr-XL.jpg

#2: This was my first real attempt and doing a manual exposure blend. It was actually pretty easy. Still some rough spots but I think I'll get better with practice.

http://coscorrosa.smugmug.com/photos/605750291_X6QCP-XL.jpg

#2.5: Updated to have a little more shadow and contrast in the middle section:

http://coscorrosa.smugmug.com/photos/606505674_XALC6-XL.jpg

[thapamd]

Very nice, Ron! The 1st shot is amazing with the milky way displayed so beautifully. Is that a little lens corner softness I notice at the upper left hand corner or just some motion from the star trails? I can't tell.

I like the 2nd shot too and you did a nice job with the blending. However, I think the job you did was a little "too nice." What I mean is, I'd love to see more contrast in this image, especially towards the middle of the picture. As is, the shot looks a little hazy or "muddy." Yes, you'll lose a little shadow/midtone detail with a boost in contrast, but it will also give your some nice pop. That's just my personal opinion; take it with a grain of salt. :D

[bobcool]

Man, I'm lovin' that first one! Excellent photo, Ron! Great job!

[bryanj87]

Holy crap Ron that first shot is mind blowing! :bow

[TJDIV]

cool pics. like the climbers on the mountain.

[BobR]

Phenomenal, first shot looks like eruption of stars:thumb

[kdog]

Jeez, Louise! That first shot is AWESOME. :wow

Agree with Mahesh on the processing on the second one, but it's still a fabulous shot.

Cheers,
-joel

[annnna8888]

Fantastic, Ron! I could just project the first one on the ceiling and lie down on the floor and look at it on cloudy nights. :D
As for the second, I can only reiterate what Mahesh said. :thumb

Ana

[coscorrosa]

Very nice, Ron! The 1st shot is amazing with the milky way displayed so beautifully. Is that a little lens corner softness I notice at the upper left hand corner or just some motion from the star trails? I can't tell.

I like the 2nd shot too and you did a nice job with the blending. However, I think the job you did was a little "too nice." What I mean is, I'd love to see more contrast in this image, especially towards the middle of the picture. As is, the shot looks a little hazy or "muddy." Yes, you'll lose a little shadow/midtone detail with a boost in contrast, but it will also give your some nice pop. That's just my personal opinion; take it with a grain of salt. :D

Totally agree with you on the second shot, that's part of the rough spots I was referring to. I'll go back and play with it some more. I may be leaning to your approach of tossing the GND filters aside, at least for uneven horizon shots of static subjects, but I need to get a lot better in post processing before I fully commit.

On the star shot, it's actually motion blur/perspective distortion (16mm shot) from the stars on the edge (multiple exposures were blended together to reduce noise). I cropped the image quite a bit to get rid of most of the motion blur, but there's still that spot in the upper left. I'll probably have to mask out the individual star trails, that'll be a nice tedious process. But it does detract. In the future I might just compose with a 25% crop along the border in mind.

It really is amazing being up there and being able to see the milky way so bright and clear with literally thousands of stars around.

[coscorrosa]

Thanks to everyone for the comments and the feedback. I'll definitely play with these shots a little more and see if I can make them better. But I'll probably just end up taking new shots instead :D

[dlplumer]

It never ends :rofl
:bow :bow :bow

[coscorrosa]

It never ends :rofl
:bow :bow :bow

I believe you're talking about my post-processing faux paus, and if so, I agree wholeheartedly. I'm working on it though :D

[coscorrosa]

Updated the second shot to have a little more shadow/contrast in the middle.

http://coscorrosa.smugmug.com/photos/606505674_XALC6-XL.jpg

[Elaine]

Yowzy dowzy! Fantastically beautiful images.

[Reverb]

The first one is spectacular and I definitely have to agree that your last change improves it. The improved contrast works.

[dseidman]

Good looking stuff, especially since these look just like mine :D

I hope you keep practicing and experimenting with manual blending as this is a great first attempt. The only issue I really see is a little bit of haloing over the hill on the far right side of the image. Other than that, I have nothing but good things to say.

[thapamd]

The 2nd is an improvement, Ron, but I'd boost up the contrast even more. I want this one to POP! :D

[coscorrosa]

The 2nd is an improvement, Ron, but I'd boost up the contrast even more. I want this one to POP! :D
Tough crowd! :lol3

http://coscorrosa.smugmug.com/photos/607373068_ubWte-XL.jpg

Thanks for the continued feedback. I'll get there eventually, I just like taking the scenic route. This one might have a bit too much contrast now that I look at it. Looked better full size.

[Doug Solis]

Your first photo is amazing It looks like the Mt. Rainier spewed out stars into the sky. That is a great shot for your wall. I also think the remix of #2 looks much better, its a great capture of the alpenglow.

[schmoo]

Tough crowd! :lol3

http://coscorrosa.smugmug.com/photos/607373068_ubWte-S.jpg

Thanks for the continued feedback. I'll get there eventually, I just like taking the scenic route. This one might have a bit too much contrast now that I look at it. Looked better full size.

BINGO! I think this one is my favorite. I'm a high-contrast girl, however, but I like how much more "clear" this shot seems to my eyes.

I am still not sure what to make of the center of the photo, in the valley. The way it is now it could be early morning fog or just an uneven exposure but I'm not sure. :ear

[shniks]

#1 is spectacular Ron- excellent work as usual! Love it! :clap :clap :clap


Cheers,

[thapamd]

Tough crowd! :lol3

http://coscorrosa.smugmug.com/photos/607373068_ubWte-XL.jpg

Thanks for the continued feedback. I'll get there eventually, I just like taking the scenic route. This one might have a bit too much contrast now that I look at it. Looked better full size.

Oh ya! This is it! I think the contrast is perfect. I knew if I pushed you hard enough, you'd give me what I wanted! :D :thumb

[Awais Yaqub]

Great job really like the 2nd shot with added contrast

[Bruce Novotney]

Wonderful series! That first one is a absolute stunner!