I think the oak leaf exposure worked really nicely balancing the warmth against the reflected sky. The simple composition feels right for the focal point falling solely on the strength of the colors and the single oak leaf. I also enjoy that it looks like you were captured in the reflection up and to the left of the leaf while holding the shutter cable. All in all, Zion has been a great series of uploads and the photos you made there have been enjoyable to see as well as hear your thoughts on them!
Thanks Devan! I also noticed I got a little of my reflection in there, haha. I did my best to get out of the way but I suppose it adds character. Thanks so much for watching!
Loved this series. The curved branch on the last frame on this video did work well in my view. I also like the small oak leaf. I think the shimmer added to the image. Be well. Looking forward to your next adventure.
Good morning Chris, I'm really liking these adventures in macro. The first shot of the oak leaf seemed (to me) to be asking for all three leaves. Also, I know it's a fall color piece, but in your wrap up, I was seeing a nice flowering sage and tree root shot... Anyway, thank as always. Pb.
Thanks Paul! Fall color or not, I'll shoot it all! I happens to me surprisingly often where I'm editing a video and see something in the footage I missed and wonder why I didn't photograph that, haha.
Hi Chris, just a tip. Way back, back before digital, back before the internet, in fact, back before personal computers, there were the photo magazines that had lengthily camera store adds you ordered equipment from through the "mail"; and yes there were problems. Anyway, I read an article in one during that time, that some scientific guys wrote, in regards to the sharpest aperture to use. What they discovered during their research/tests was that it was dependent on how much (depth of field) you were trying to procure, measured in the millimeters your lens had to travel to focus on the closest plane you wanted sharp to the farthest. Didn't matter what lens you were using, it was all the same. You would use that distance measurement and select their determined aperture. I used their formula with large format cameras to great success. Not only did it create the sharpest images but it also allowed me to focus my cameras on the camera bed using the millimeter scales there. Bob.
Thanks Robert, I've heard bits here and there about using this sort of technique for focusing, but I've never fully looked into the method and how it works. At some point I'll have to read up on it and give it a try, thanks for the suggestion!
Final shot was quite nice. I actually liked the curved branch contrasting the straight diagonal of the fallen trunk. There is a lot to look at in that shot with the contrasting warm colors and the coolness of the log, the shapes and the textures. I really enjoyed the entire series. As always, I enjoy the pace, the thoughtful compositions and the challenges.
The filter made a big difference in that last shot. It would be interesting to know how much of that is due to the polarizer how much comes from the warming filter.
Thanks Tim, I agree. Hard to know for sure since this filter was both in one, but I've got another polarizer without the warming effect I'd like to try in similar conditions to see how it does.
Looks like an awesome trip Chris! Bummed I missed this fall. That first scene was cool and a great photo. It looked awesome too in the video with that cloud reflecting in the stone too. Looking forward to what you end up chasing next!
Thanks Brian, there's always next time. The winter storms have left us with a pretty good snowpack so if this summer isn't too dry maybe we'll get another good year for fall color 🤞🏻
Well in part thanks to your videos, I have bitten the bullet on the purchase of a Cambo Monorail camera..... i do have a query, on a long trip how do you store your exposed sheets of film? or do you have hundreds of holders? Really enjoy watching and your "laid back" approach, not too technical....Wish I were as rich as you to be able to shoot colour..lol
Congrats Malcolm, I've looked at those Cambos a few times myself and that should be a really fun camera! I have a Harrison pup tent that I take with me on trips, and I'll load/unload film as needed in the field, putting the exposed sheets back into a spare triple fold box that's clearly marked so I don't mix them up. If it's going to be warm where I'm going I'll take a small lunchbox cooler that fits my 4x5 film boxes really well just to keep the temperatures down. I'm pretty sure shooting color makes you the opposite of rich.. that's how it feels anyway 😆
Loved the last velvia image. I think if the leaf and wallpaper paste 🤣 velvia photo had been given a bit more exposure then it would have beaten the provia exposure. In my opinion. 😁 Your talking to camera is getting better. Keep it up. I'll have to work on mine.🤐
Thanks Andrew, I agree on the Velvia exposure. I've noticed a few of my V50 shots coming in a little darker than expected so I probably need to account for that in the future somehow. It's amazing how hard it can be to talk to a camera, haha! Thanks and I think you're doing just fine as well 👍🏻
I wonder how you are dealing with the stupid new permitting procedures in the National Parks? Its as if they just don't want anyone doing anything that could even hint of making money in any national park. Thoughts?
Hi Thomas, I'm still digesting as I suspect a lot of folks are but safe to say I'm pretty disappointed. Of course I'm inclined to follow their rules but I don't have any answers yet on what that means for my channel, it will depend on how ridiculous they make it to follow them and whether the existing ruling stands. It's entirely possible this will be my last video upload from Zion, but national parks aren't the only place to photograph and that might just be the motivation I need to explore some other areas.
