Robert Atkins
May 2023 - Mount St. Helens Ridge Overlook
About the Image(s)
This image is another from my day excursion from Mt. Rainier to Mount St. Helens, and is taken from the same ridge road that approaches Mount St. Helens from the northeast. The day was punctuated by bursts of showers, and while dodging them, I was fascinated by Mt. Adams in the distance, as well as the visible effect in the sky of the storms brushing across the landscape. There was a lot of atmospherics which gave the interesting layering of the ridges which I show in this image, as well as the blue tones.
I set up my 4x5 pretty quickly because the rain was threatening. I composed wider than I ended up using, so I had to crop in some here to get the distant look. I only exposed a single sheet of film, and then the rain started, and I quickly packed up and dashed for the car.
I imagine I will get comments about a couple of things starting with the bright exposed rock in the lower right corner. I’ve darkened it. I also considered cropping it out from the bottom, but I like the fact that Mt. Adams sits high in the frame and enjoys a bit of airiness from that. I did not consider cloning until I write this now, but perhaps that is the correct thing to do if people confirm that it is too distracting.
I also have done a bit of work to pull out the dark down bursts of the storm in the sky which were there but a bit more subtle. The result is that I’ve left the sky a bit grainy. I am not sure whether I see that as a problem or in fact like it. Opinions from others would be useful on this one.
Finally, there is the question of whether to make Mt. Adams “pop” more than it does here. I’ve tried versions with a bit more contrast or dehaze on the peak, but they look less natural, and I think some of the atmospherics are lost. Again, encourage opinions.
Tachihara 4x5, Schneider 150mm 5.6 Symmar-S, Fuji Provia, Exposure not recorded
10 comments posted
Since I am on the road, I am not able to attempt this image. I might come back with my attempt later, but in the meantime, let me start with my comments by answering your questions.
First of all, I would not clone the rock out in the lower right corner. For me it is not distracting. And if you crone out, there is little to see in that area and it becomes empty space for me.
Regarding the rainstorm in the sky, honestly, I do not like it personally. It looks unbalanced and it disconnects with the mood/emotions presented in Mt. Adams in my view. It is too strong for me.
Lastly, the pop of Mt. Adams is good enough. It delivers "the mood".
But overall, I like the image very much. A great capture. Posted: 05/09/2023 23:07:37
I looked at the re-edited image. I prefer the storm texture better.
As for crop of the bottom, I think it cropped too far for me. It now became easier for my eye to arrive at the center of attention, but at the same time, it lost the dynamic of the image. For me foreground dark mountain helps me to feel the vast of the scene. Posted: 05/17/2023 00:09:52
There are some really beautiful layers in this image. To answer your questions. I don't mind the grain in the sky because it contributes to the atmosphere but I am distracted by the dark vertical rainy bursts that I think you have brought out. To me they distract from the mountain and the flow of the beautiful layers. I would not make the mountain "pop" any more that it is already because again that would be counter to the atmospheric layers that are so beautiful. I see what you mean by having the mountain sitting high but the balance of the image is off(in my opinion). To me the light needs to balance the dark in the image and the dark is a bit too heavy. When I looked at the crop with a focus on balancing the image it puts the bottom of that rock right on the edge which makes it even more prominent so I think it would benefit from cloning it out. I have attached my crop suggestion. I always enjoy your images Robert and this is another great one. Posted: 05/10/2023 13:51:47
Try cropping up from the bottom about half way up. I feel everything below that halfway point is a very large dead space and does not help with what I see your image is really about.
To me, your photo is about what Cheryl aptly says as "...the flow of beautiful mountain layers." The lower half, having a dominant tone and covering perhaps more than a third of the frame, takes away from those mountain layers.
The sky needs some work. It lacks color which throws the balance off for me. I would like to see the use of orange brushed in as a complementary color - not a lot - just enough so it doesn't look out of place.
For years I have searched for the perfect set of mountain layers. Maybe someday. Yours is the closest I've seen to perfection. Good luck with whatever direction you take this photo. I'm sure it will be spectacular.
Posted: 05/12/2023 17:29:55
When I looked at your image in B&W to assess the tonal values all the light areas are on the top, I might consider dodging the line of rocks and trees to give the lower half some interest. I just increased the shadows.
Great image. Posted: 05/14/2023 15:47:59
