That's a long way to the top...

[MikeM]

I drove up to a trail head that leads back into the mountains a few minutes from where I live to take a few shots. I used one for the DoF assignment. This is another shot from that group.

I like the line in this shot. There's a line from the bottom left to the middle as well as the edge of the mountain coming from the left that leads you to the middle. As your eye reaches the middle you discover the trail that comes from the right side. Then your eye is lead to the top which is shrouded in clouds, making the summit seem distant.

The clouds are a bit blown out in the top right, but I think there is a nice balance with the blue on the left and the gray in the middle which gradually becomes bright white.

I think taking the shot a little later in the day might have enhanced some of the depth of the mountain by giving it more sidelighting. This shot was taken around 2pm I believe.

Those are my ideas on the shot. What are yours?

ISO 100
1/250s
f/10
35mm equiv: 64mm

Minimal PP, maybe some levels adjustment is all.

From Rock Canyon

[Ewie]

Hi MikeM... what an amazing landscape to shoot in!!. I love the shot, the focus is bang on, colours are perfectly understated.. big thumbs up from me.

Re the slight blow-out around the rhs of the clouds, which is'nt that bad BTW, you could salvage this in either Lightroom or Photoshop to a certain extent using gradiants or a shadow/highlight layer. But if like me you plan on shooting a lot of landscapes you might consider investing in a graduated ND filter that will help even up the overall exposure at shooting time. I prefer the Cokin system myself, but there are others.

Great work.

[MikeM]

I tried to play with the clouds, but there's no detail left in them at all. I only managed to change the shade of the white mass.

I'd love to have a graduated ND filter, but I'm only using a P&S!

[clockdoc]

Hi Mike. While I appreciate your detailed description of how the trails lead ones eye into the shot, from my point of view there isn't enough subject matter to slow my eye down long enough to follow your directions . I don't mean this in a negative way but only that to your mind's eye, having been there, the route is logical. However to 'strangers' viewing it in its initial impact, it doesn't pull me into the frame and keep me there.

[MikeM]

Very understandable doc. In fact, I didn't come to realize what I saw until I looked at the shot a few times . I realized what my eyes were doing after a few looks and liked the shot. Granted, I didn't compose it with this intention either, it was more or less a chance happening.
I may go back and see what I can find for a more prominent subject in the area. I'll have to pay attention to other landscape photos to see what draws the eye's focus and keeps it there.

[FocalFrenzy]

A side note about ND-filters. You can handhold most filters in front of a P&S camera. You can also handhold filters in front of a DSLR if you lack the correct adapter. I ski whenever I can, so I see alot of nice opportunities for shots while outside. One thing I've found that is indispensible, is a pair of Good Polarized sunglasses. If the lenses are large enough, you can use them like a Polarizing filter, in front of your lens. Just spin them until you get the best results on your LCD. Saves time and saves missed opportunities. Good luck and thanks for posting.