Topic: Mega grove (Read 1009 times)

MattBurt · « **on:** February 13, 2023, 01:51:01 pm »

Aspens are a fairly unique species in that a grove forms from a single organism with connected roots. One of the largest examples of this and therefore one of the largest organisms on Earth is this one not far from my home in Gunnison, Colorado. In summer it's a couple of miles of hiking but in winter Ohio Pass is closed to cars so the first couple of miles on the pass needs to be skied or snowmobiled. After that, the next couple of miles into the West Elk Wilderness area need to be skied or snowshoed. I don't own a snowmobile so it was a 7.5 mile ski for me.
I'd been to the very spot before and I took some photos there last year that have been well received. This year I wanted to go back with this specific mission in mind and with my best gear to get something higher res. It was kind of a slog with the bigger kit but my timing worked well and I got some keepers.
This one is probably my favorite of the bunch. I stacked a few images to maximize DOF but otherwise editing was minimal.

RMW · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2023, 02:57:44 pm »

Painterly and pleasing.

Leszek Piotrowski · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2023, 05:33:58 pm »

In my "near flatter terrain" but still looking,.. for aspens,... or even a similar white birch stand...but something visually similar.

Wonderful,.. the light on those aspens and snow,... remarkable.

francois · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2023, 05:32:43 am »

Beautiful image. The snow makes everything smoother, softer even the light.
Bravo!

Rajan Parrikar · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2023, 06:47:03 am »

Outstanding work.

Bob_B · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2023, 07:04:36 am »

Well seen, Matt.

PeterAit · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2023, 10:11:55 am »

Beautiful! The shadows in particular are entrancing.

nirpat89 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2023, 10:33:34 am »

Nice image. But I am trying to understand the criss-crossing of the shadows - shouldn't they be in the same direction or is it an optical illusion or they are folds in the snow, not shadows, perhaps.

:Niranjan.

kers · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2023, 11:48:09 am »

great image!
; would be even more powerful and abstract without any branches in the frame.

Dave (Isle of Skye) · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2023, 01:51:11 pm »

Yes, that's the shot I wish I could have taken...

Excellent!

Dave

MattBurt · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2023, 03:05:55 pm »

Quote from: RMW on February 13, 2023, 02:57:44 pm

Painterly and pleasing.

Thank you!

Quote from: Leszek Piotrowski on February 13, 2023, 05:33:58 pm

In my "near flatter terrain" but still looking,.. for aspens,... or even a similar white birch stand...but something visually similar.

Wonderful,.. the light on those aspens and snow,... remarkable.

Thanks! The light worked nicely and this patch is an especially nice one in a sea of aspens. I was glad I could find it again after photographing it last winter. Slightly diffused light here from high clouds but still hard enough to make those shadows.

Quote from: francois on February 14, 2023, 05:32:43 am

Beautiful image. The snow makes everything smoother, softer even the light.
Bravo!

Yes, I love the effect of a snowy scene. Makes me happy.

Quote from: Rajan Parrikar on February 14, 2023, 06:47:03 am

Outstanding work.

Thank you Rajan!

Quote from: Bob_B on February 14, 2023, 07:04:36 am

Well seen, Matt.

Thanks Bob!

Quote from: PeterAit on February 14, 2023, 10:11:55 am

Beautiful! The shadows in particular are entrancing.

Thanks Peter!

Quote from: nirpat89 on February 14, 2023, 10:33:34 am

Nice image. But I am trying to understand the criss-crossing of the shadows - shouldn't they be in the same direction or is it an optical illusion or they are folds in the snow, not shadows, perhaps.

:Niranjan.

Thanks! It's the topography here. It's like a series of mounds that make the shadow change direction. All the pieces need to be in place for the best effect including snow quality, time of year, time of day, and light quality. I'm fortunate to have found and now re-located this spot!

Quote from: kers on February 14, 2023, 11:48:09 am

great image!
; would be even more powerful and abstract without any branches in the frame.

Thanks!
Yeah this is about as clean as I can get it without a lot of Photoshop or tracking up that snow. Maybe I can tidy it up over the summer sometime for s future shot.

Quote from: Dave (Isle of Skye) on February 14, 2023, 01:51:11 pm