Don Crow  


Maroon Bells by Don Crow

September 2020 - Maroon Bells

About the Image(s)

This shot was taken back in September of 2004 but I had always worked with it in color.
It was our first visit to Maroon Bells where we found about 50 other photographers with tripods. I have been there many times since and never found the conditions as spectacular as that morning.
I was shooting with an 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix E8700 (point and shoot).
f/5.1 at 1/250 sec, ISO 50. Processed in Photoshop, Topaz DeNoise AI, Topaz Sharpen AI and Luminar 4.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted




Ed Ford   Ed Ford
Don, I love this image - everything about the image, especially the sense of symmetry created by the reflection of the lake at the shoreline. The clouds wrapped around the peaks along with the over all reflection of the mountains in the lake, and the reflection itself. The border is also a really nice touch giving (to my eye) a sense of depth to the presentation of the image.

As I look at the image I get a great sense of wonder and peace - wishing I was there to witness the moment you captured in the image.

To my eye a really wonderful capture of a moment in time. Thank you for sharing it with us Don.   Posted: 09/04/2020 22:04:16



Jack Florence Jr   Jack Florence Jr
(Groups 66 & 86)
Yes, the clouds wrapping around the peak really make this as Ed points out. In fact, a square crop might even improve, by focusing more attention on the peak. I don't find the reflection quite as compelling. Either way, very nice Don.   Posted: 09/05/2020 17:27:04



 
Don, For me the shape of the mountain reminds me of the Matterhorn and the clouds lend to a sense of majesty. On account of the reflections being so clear, it adds to my feeling that the water must have been very still. I think the frame works well. My only thought is whether it is better to have the snow-capped mountain reflections on the bottom of the image cropped or not? It is something that you might consider. Thanks for sharing this.   Posted: 09/05/2020 19:01:54



Lance Lewin   Lance Lewin
(Groups 83 & 87)
Good day, Don.

Beautiful scene! And frankly, I really like the portrait crop. The only caveat, in my opinion, is the entire scene is distracting.

I am not sure if its the heavy contrast or too much post-production alternations that has me forcing myself to find and enjoy the different shapes, lines shadow and light we see here: the composition seems too busy. Perhaps this how it is presented on my monitor and a printed version would reveal a more authentic aesthetic.
  Posted: 09/09/2020 06:23:12



 
Don, your image is stunning and it is amazing this was taken 2004. It is always fun to mine the archives with all the up to date software, I find. I think I do find it stronger without the reflection, but this is subjective. Many thanks
  Posted: 09/14/2020 16:24:31



Adrian Binney   Adrian Binney
(Groups 72 & 91)
This is a striking mountain scene with interesting reflections and helpful variety of shapes. Love it!
It's normal to have the mountain peak shrouded in clouds, so this sort of helps to emphasise the height we are looking at.
I was always told not to leave bright areas at the foot of an image - a rule there to be challenged, but in this instance I think I prefer the crop here.
Very interesting how images from way back can be reworked! This has encouraged me to look back too. Thank you Don!   Posted: 09/30/2020 05:15:08
Comment Image



Albert Zabin   Albert Zabin
I agree with Adrian The composition is very busy and the reflection of the white and light areas was distracting. Reflections in water are usually darker than the reflected part a scene. Here the tones are too close. I would darken the dark areas a bit and increase the image contrast   Posted: 09/30/2020 12:41:33