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Alpenglow at Sunrise
Alpenglow at Sunrise
hahn23


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2012-03 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, CO
Date: Mar 15, 2012
Aperture: f/16
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1.3s
Galleries: Sky, Landscape
Date Uploaded: Mar 15, 2012

 the Alpenglühen

This scene didn't look like it was going to be anything at 7:00 AM. Then, at 7:15 AM, it was one of the most beautiful, glorious, colorful scenes I've ever experienced. It was a function of the sun peeking through a narrow area under the clouds at the moment of sunrise. 30 seconds after this image capture, the light was blocked by clouds and all went gray.

The mountain wave cloud was impressive and caught some of the alpenglow light.

Featured on the Denver 9News channel. Wait through the 30 second commercial. Sorry!
//www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1514913144001

I've already learned that people with poorly calibrated monitors will not appreciate this image. For them, the shadows will be blocked up in some areas. I debated brightening the entire image, but decided to leave it, as seen with my eyes. I mean, it was sunrise and much of the foreground was in deep shade. So, I might not score as well with this, but I didn't want the scene to look unnatural. It is one image. Not HDR blend. I want the eyes to be drawn up from the valley to the sun illuminated peaks and then the ominous clouds. That's the plan... and I'm sticking with it.

Also, many people will be skeptical of the long wavelength light on the peaks at sunrise. The image has not been saturation enhanced. That's the way it looked to my eyes. I'm used to the doubt of the high country color by flatlanders.

A better sized version here.

[Apr. 5th, 2012 09:02:50 AM]

On April 1, the first full day of voting, this image was knocked way down in score. Something wrong with that. I'm glad it is recovering, albeit slowly. It will have a tough time regaining early levels.

Statistics
Place: 59 out of 279
Avg (all users): 6.2126
Avg (commenters): 7.0000
Avg (participants): 6.1905
Avg (non-participants): 6.2558
Views since voting: 1007
Views during voting: 217
Votes: 127
Comments: 8
Favorites: 1 (view)

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AuthorThread
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital
 12/08/2012 02:45:25 PM
I like this version too. It gives you a good impression of how the light can paint the landscape.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Lomography Petzval 85mm F2.2 MF
 04/08/2012 08:06:20 AM
I'm surprised this didn't score higher--I like the more natural look versus if you made this into an HDR. Beautiful shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark IV
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 USM
 04/08/2012 01:07:22 AM
Oh how homesick your photos make me for our beloved Rocky Mountains. This is just breathtaking!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
04/04/2012 10:10:38 PM
Wonderful sky.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Lomography Petzval 85mm F2.2 MF
 04/04/2012 07:01:48 AM
This looks like a hahn23 shot. Amazing sky, and I love the hint of sunset dancing on the hills at the right.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/03/2012 01:43:35 PM
NIce shot - Can't count how many times I have been there.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D Mark II
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
 04/02/2012 03:43:17 PM
Nice colors. Good detail. Very beautiful shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D700
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon
 04/01/2012 07:22:55 AM
Another beautiful rendition of this, Richard. Though the positioning is only slightly changed, the bright color of sunlight on the hills and the nicely colored sky really open this scene up. It shares the same fantastic scenery as The Ides of March 7:14, but while that one emphasized detail in the topography and nice tones, the color here adds a bit of hopefulness and optimism to the morning. The color also adds another dimension to the great weather in the left of the frame. Excellent landscape.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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