Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Over the past several days, I'd posted two iterations of this same view. While I was satisfied with both, I likewise felt that there were aspects of each that could be improved. So yesterday, I returned to see whether or not --or how-- the improvements I had in my mind's eye might be accomplished.

Conditions had changed appreciably, though; the almost misty atmospheric 'dulling down of distance' under the previous day's overcast sky had been replaced by the harsher light of a near cloudless sky. Shadows became deeper; the dead and blackened tree I felt crucial to the composition blended into those shadows, and lost the prominence it previously held, the prominence I wanted it to hold. As well, I wanted to re-establish or 'correct' the relationships between several of the elements, so this return was meant to find the best camera placement to rectify those, regardless the differences in the days. Unfortunately, short of growing wings or hauling a ten foot ladder out on that ridge to allow me to get to the precise place required, it won't be possible for me to get to just the right spot, the spot I really want.

The first of these images is focus stacked. Three exposures make up the stack. The second image is just a single exposure, and shot hand-held with a different lens. The timing between the two differed by half an hour, the second being shot minutes before the higher lands to the west would cast everything but the mountains into deep, murky, and essentially useless shadow. This second shot is as close as I can get to the crop and proportions I actually want, but can't actually get to camera placement-wise.

I will return when conditions are more to my liking. I won't be able to get to that perfect placement, but Nature composes far better than I can anyhow.

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UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

You continue to provide great photos and info, Jim, thanks.

Susan yamakawa

💕💕👍😊

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Understand your drive and motivation. I once went eight times till the light was right in my minds eye. Good luck on returning till you see the conditions to "Your Minds Eye"

andypop Loc: Carmel CA

A drone might get you more angles than your Prius :-)

Amator21 Loc: California

Clearly the work of a perfectionist. And your no 1 came very close to perfection. I love it and enjoy the tree in the center. Thank you for posting and for the effort!

OneShot1 Loc: Wichita, KS, USA

Always enjoyable...both photos and comments...Thanks.

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

Great shots, as usual. I like the second one. Thanx for sharing.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

A drone might get me arrested. And what would be worse --crikey!-- they might impound my Jeep, too!

How silly of me, though, for taking so long to figure out the remedy to my placement woes! All I need to do is get a ten (or maybe twelve, just to be sure) foot tall tripod. It'll need to have a geared and motorized head that I can operate remotely from below with an app on my iPhone. Oughta be able to snag a rig like that off eBay for pretty cheap, wouldn'tcha say? Easy-peasy!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Borrow 12 foot ladder from a local Apple Orchid

Ourspolair

Both images show how much care you put into your art. Maybe you can find an old TV outside-event van... In the meantime, stay safe and keep on sharing.

SnappyHappy Loc: Chapin, SC “The Capitol of Lake Murray”

I really like the light and composition of your second shot. You are blessed with the opportunity to return to this location with the pre-visualized idea of what your looking for. Until you capture “your photograph”, enjoy the chase...and keep us posted

Mac52 Loc: Vail, Az

You are doing a great job of teaching composer and perfection, keep up the work we are all learning. I have a copy (I hope it is OK) and every time I look at it I think of the sea.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Excellent idea, Stan. And there ought to be plenty of 'em around, too. Especially since there's at least three apple orchards within walking distance of my house, and the fact that whatever ladders there are that might still be mouldering around aren't used any more. At least not since those orchards got mowed down a few years back, and got replaced by loverly overnight rental complexes full of out-of-state plates, mega toy hauler rigs, and ATV wranglers.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Not that it was all that far off the road, but it might be a little tricky to drive said event van out to the place these got shot. Apart from leaving unsightly hunks of the van's undersides on rocks and such, any attempt to do so would muss the cactuses and critter holes most unpleasantly.