Eastern Sierras

chrisdg

Hello - I recently spent a weekend near the Mono Lake area, and although a very cold & windy snowstorm came through, I was able to get out and capture a few keepers i think. Critique welcome.

#1



#2



#3



#4



#5



#6 (Bodie)



#7


This last image is for a class assignment where we were supposed to capture or create a "juxtaposition". To help me determine if it's successful, I'm curious if you can intrepret what I was going for here. I did my best with the limited time I had to find such a subject matter.

Thanks!

black mamba

I like your shots here, Chris. Not sure about your juxtaposition, but I'm going to say " The beauty and the beast ".

Tom

Jack'll do

Very nice photos of a beautiful part of the country chris. If you hadn't spent all yer money on photo gear and a nice car you'd be able to live in a proper apartment. That place looks a little drafty. :D

chrisdg

Jack'll do wrote:

Very nice photos of a beautiful part of the country chris. If you hadn't spent all yer money on photo gear and a nice car you'd be able to live in a proper apartment. That place looks a little drafty. :D

Haha Jack - you got it!

Thanks for the comments guys.

ian408

That's what we call a fixer-upper in the first shot. Right off the highway too

As for the juxtaposition. Hmmm. Not sure it works--it's a nice shot--just not sure it's the correct one.

Harrymac

Cracking series of shots

ritewinger

These are all beautiful. I sure miss the west, especially the eastern Sierra.
D:D:D

schmoo

Jaw-dropping gorgeous shots! It's almost shocking to see such harsh weather this time of the year, although I know the terrain in that area has a lot to do with it.

I thought the ice on the branches there were frozen flowers. Really lovely

I also love the juxtaposition shot. What an interesting subject! Whether or not it was what you were going for, I see contentment and warmth in the ruined trailer while the car is just sitting there.

Great set, and thanks for sharing these!

jeffmeyers

Wow! Number 1 and 2 are wonderful. Nice lighting and exposure on the juxtaposition image!

ipduffy

Awesome shots!
Love them all! As for the juxtaposition, I'm thinking:

Old & new?
Shiny & worn?

I'm jealous ... both of your trip in such a beautiful place and of your photographic talent which is clearly greater than mine.

chrisdg

ritewinger wrote:

These are all beautiful. I sure miss the west, especially the eastern Sierra.
D:D:D

Thanks everyone...glad you enjoyed the series.

I've lived my entire life in San Jose, about 6 hours from this location, and this was my first trip to the Eastern Sierras. I was blown away. I will be going back frequently for sure! Around every corner it seemed, something took my breath away. It also helped me realize that I don't need to travel halfway around the world to see some amazing sights (but I will anyway!).

Schmoo - the early snowstorm surprised everyone. The weather around Mono Basin was around 20 degrees F, with numbing wind chill. My feet, face and hands were numb the entire time. On Sunday, the weather cleared, much of the snow melted, and I was able to get some additional shots over the course of a LONG day. On the way home (a major 3-hour detour due to road closures over the passes), I came across the little lake in #5 and it literally brought tears to my eyes.

I'm still processing some of the shots from this trip...but the excellent fall colors in this area, couple with the snow on the ground, made for some amazing scenery.

With regards to the lighting in #7: It was about 40 minutes after sunset. I put a color-temperature-orange (CTO) gel over a single flash head and set it inside the trailer (triggered remotely). I'd set the shutter timer for 10-seconds, and then run into place. It took many attempts to get the lighting and everything right. The orange flash simulates nice & warm tungsten-style home lighting. It was my first ever use of a gel and of a remote flash. This was also the most fun I've ever had in my 2-3 years behind the camera.

A lone spanish-speaking sheepherder on the vast property, who occupied a small nearby trailer (in good shape), was clearly wondering what the heck I was doing...but he was friendly and welcoming as we communicated with gestures and such. This trailer was likely a sheepherders former residence...with nothing else around for miles, except about 700 sheep.

chrisdg

schmoo wrote:

Jaw-dropping gorgeous shots! It's almost shocking to see such harsh weather this time of the year, although I know the terrain in that area has a lot to do with it.

I thought the ice on the branches there were frozen flowers. Really lovely

I also love the juxtaposition shot. What an interesting subject! Whether or not it was what you were going for, I see contentment and warmth in the ruined trailer while the car is just sitting there.

I like your interpretation!

As Jack aluded to above (intentionally or otherwise), I was attempting to depict one of those guys who spend all of their money on a nice car, but live in a dump. This image, hopefully, puts both assets side-by-side to illustrate that contrast in an over the top way. Now, if I had a Porsche sitting there, and a campfire cookout going, it would've been better...but I didn't have such props.

ian408

You live in SJC but don't explore your own backyard

I'm laughing with you as it often takes someone from out of town to tell me where a place like Trees Of Mystery is and that is a whole lot closer than Yosemite/Eastern Sierra. I've lived hear all of my life as well

Bodie State Historical Park offers up photographer days where you pay a little extra but get in earlier and can stay later to get the nice light. And if I recall, there's even a herd of sheep on the access road--at times it's been quite large.

The Eastern side offers a whole slew of things worth visiting. The White Mountains for Bristlecone Pines. June Lakes for fall color. Mammoth Lakes and the Minarets. All sorts of cool stuff.

chrisdg

ian408 wrote:

Bodie State Historical Park offers up photographer days where you pay a little extra but get in earlier and can stay later to get the nice light. And if I recall, there's even a herd of sheep on the access road--at times it's been quite large.

I believe you are referring to this flock of sheep, enroute to Bodie:


Here are a few more images from this trip:
#9


#10


#11


#12


#13

Eia

The first two are breathtaking! As for your last one...I would say...if you are like alot of young guys... your wheels are more important than your home!

Mathieu05

These are amazing images... i'll be travelling next weekend to these places as well. hope i could take pictures like you have in here! Thanks for sharing...

Hikin' Mike

Great series! I like the old "Homestead" shot. My last trip, I finally stopped and took a photo of it too.

I can't wait until Tioga Pass opens up again!

I didn't realize this thread was 3 years old...!

ront

Chris, you have an incredible set of photos here. I really did enjoy all of them! I really do not even know what "juxtaposition" is, but I am going to guess you are going for old and new:).

Thanks for sharing these, Ron

Bifurcator

Nice!

But dude, WTH happened to your trailer?

chrisdg

Haha, Wow, my old thread got resurrected. Nice!

Thanks everyone!

Yeah, that trailer is warm and cozy eh?

FlyNavy

Excellent work Chris.