Some quickies from Yellowstone

coscorrosa · June 26, 2009

I didn't have a chance to photograph Yellowstone at dawn or dusk, but I was there in the middle of the day a few times (I'll get that chance later this year). Yellowstone definitely has the strangest and most unique landscapes of any place I've been to, with all the geysers, hot springs, and other thermal features. I've been reading a book on the assorted ways that people have died in Yellowstone, one piece of advice I feel authorized to give: Don't go diving head first into a 200F hot spring after your dog.

Anyway, here are a few shots I took (in Mammoth and between Old Faithful and Madison, and one shot of the falls), along with some videos at the end.

#1:

#2:

#3:

#4:

#5:

#6:

dlplumer · June 26, 2009

Amazing that you can shoot such good stuff during mid-day, and those videos are very cool Ron

How do you compensate for the harsh light to get such soft tones. Are you using a 10 stop ND and taking long exposures

Share some magic please.

Dan

schmoo · June 26, 2009

on the midday! Amazing, and I love that these are non-traditional shots of this park.

Being unfamiliar with Yellowstone, what lens were you using for #5? Is that waterfall a long ways away from the vantage point?

coscorrosa · June 26, 2009

dlplumer wrote:

Amazing that you can shoot such good stuff during mid-day, and those videos are very cool Ron

How do you compensate for the harsh light to get such soft tones. Are you using a 10 stop ND and taking long exposures Share some magic please.

Dan

Thanks Dan, the way I compensated by the harsh light was by not shooting in it!

In all of these shots, there was significant cloud cover which essentially reduced the shadows to nothing. I also used a polarizer in all of the shots which helped a lot. In some of the shots it was actually raining (part of what makes the landscape so surreal, the warm steam from the hot springs blowing by, the rain coming down in the sky, the trees sticking up in random spots...). So I basically lucked out by getting the best possible midday light to shoot in. So that's my advice, be lucky

Also, in Camera Raw, the "fill light" slider is killer. Really helps bring out some details with minimal noise. Also 1, 2, and 3 were shot with a 2-stop soft GND.

coscorrosa · June 26, 2009

schmoo wrote:

on the midday! Amazing, and I love that these are non-traditional shots of this park.

Being unfamiliar with Yellowstone, what lens were you using for #5? Is that waterfall a long ways away from the vantage point?

It wasn't too far, that shot was taken at 105mm on a full frame camera. There's another viewpoint right at the top of the falls (if you look closely you can see the throng of people near the top). I had a 70-200 but didn't need to use it like I thought I might (as I too didn't know how far away the falls were).

Dixie · June 26, 2009

Outstanding shots.

I figure #5 is taken from Inspiration Point with a telephoto, but maybe Artist Point.

Dogdots · June 26, 2009

Wonderful photos

Enjoyed the videos too.

annnna8888 · June 27, 2009

Yellowstone is really out of this world. You made the best of the conditions you were shooting in. I really like #4.

I can't wait to see your photos when you return later this year.

Oh, and thanks for the advice on not diving into hot springs.

Ana

Preacherman · June 27, 2009

Brilliant shots Ron. I am jealous of you USA guys and the opportunities you have to bring us some great outdoors shots.

errrr...is it okay to go in after your dog if you dip your toe in the hot water first

?

Cheers

John

thapamd · June 27, 2009

Awesome shots once again, Ron! I find mid day shots are often the best for the multicolored water pools...I find it helps get the rich tones out, especially from the deeper ones.

coscorrosa · June 27, 2009

Dixie wrote:

Outstanding shots.

I figure #5 is taken from Inspiration Point with a telephoto, but maybe Artist Point.

Thanks Dixie! It wasn't Artist Point, it was on the north side of the river, maybe it was Inspiration Point, I forget the names of all the pullouts (they're marked in my GPS though!).

coscorrosa · June 27, 2009

annnna8888 wrote:

Yellowstone is really out of this world. You made the best of the conditions you were shooting in. I really like #4. I can't wait to see your photos when you return later this year.

Oh, and thanks for the advice on not diving into hot springs.

Ana

I'm not here just for the photographs, I'm also here to save lives.

coscorrosa · June 27, 2009

Preacherman wrote:

Brilliant shots Ron. I am jealous of you USA guys and the opportunities you have to bring us some great outdoors shots.

errrr...is it okay to go in after your dog if you dip your toe in the hot water first ?

Cheers

John

Unless your toe is so cold that it drastically reduces the temperature of the hot spring, I would recommend against it. But hey man, don't let me hold you back

And you're right, us USA guys do have it pretty damn good. There is so much awesome accessible scenery. We're spoiled, but at least some of us know it

coscorrosa · June 27, 2009

thapamd wrote:

Awesome shots once again, Ron! I find mid day shots are often the best for the multicolored water pools...I find it helps get the rich tones out, especially from the deeper ones.

Yeah, I'm pleased with how these turned out, and the rain and clouds added some drama. I'd still like to find some dusk/dawn versions to see how the rich colors in the sky would play off the steam from the hot springs. I have a feeling you could get some real interesting abstract shots.

scole · June 28, 2009

Coming in late but looks like you had a very productive trip. #1,3,4 are my faves. I'm trying to get out there myself in September for my first time..

dlplumer · June 28, 2009

coscorrosa wrote:

Thanks Dan, the way I compensated by the harsh light was by not shooting in it! In all of these shots, there was significant cloud cover which essentially reduced the shadows to nothing. I also used a polarizer in all of the shots which helped a lot. In some of the shots it was actually raining (part of what makes the landscape so surreal, the warm steam from the hot springs blowing by, the rain coming down in the sky, the trees sticking up in random spots...). So I basically lucked out by getting the best possible midday light to shoot in. So that's my advice, be lucky

Also, in Camera Raw, the "fill light" slider is killer. Really helps bring out some details with minimal noise. Also 1, 2, and 3 were shot with a 2-stop soft GND.

Thanks Ron. Very useful

NorthernFocus · June 28, 2009

Nice stuff, Ron. Per previous comments, not the traditional views of the place. You definately adapted to conditions. Well done

coscorrosa · June 28, 2009

articblooms wrote:

Nice stuff, Ron. Per previous comments, not the traditional views of the place. You definately adapted to conditions. Well done

Thanks Dan! I'm not sure what the traditional Yellowstone landscapes are actually (besides the waterfall shots and maybe a geyser), but if any photographer walked past this stuff without pulling out their camera they deserve to be slapped in their face

frg · June 29, 2009

Great shots.... would love to go there one day... in the mean time I get to look at Yellowstone in Dgrin

dseidman · June 30, 2009

I love them all! For just trying to get a feel for the place, you sure managed to bring home some keepers
I too am considering a trip to Yellowstone/Tetons sometime in the Fall. I'm really looking forward to it.

00SS · June 30, 2009

Those are all great shots.. but particularly like #6. We are leaving DFW on Friday for a 20 day vacation with the family and yellowstone / glacier is on the list. I only hope I can get a few remotely as good

coscorrosa · June 30, 2009

dseidman wrote:

I love them all! For just trying to get a feel for the place, you sure managed to bring home some keepers
I too am considering a trip to Yellowstone/Tetons sometime in the Fall. I'm really looking forward to it.

You'll have a great time. You might want to consider renting some large glass for wildlife too (not sure if you're into that or not), but it's abundant, and if it's overcast, you can shoot in the middle of the day when landscapes aren't as good.

Here's a thread I posted to the Wildlife forum:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=135309

dlplumer · June 30, 2009

coscorrosa wrote:

You'll have a great time. You might want to consider renting some large glass for wildlife too (not sure if you're into that or not), but it's abundant, and if it's overcast, you can shoot in the middle of the day when landscapes aren't as good.

Here's a thread I posted to the Wildlife forum:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=135309

What size glass did you use for your wildlife shots? Did you rent?

Thanks

coscorrosa · June 30, 2009

dlplumer wrote:

What size glass did you use for your wildlife shots? Did you rent?

Thanks

Canon 500mm f/4 IS, and no, I bought it 2-3 months ago. Life is short

dlplumer · June 30, 2009

coscorrosa wrote:

Canon 500mm f/4 IS, and no, I bought it 2-3 months ago. Life is short

Oh yes. I forgot how jealous I was when I heard that. Well it certainly paid off. It's on my wish list, and will one day get it and a full frame. Did you use a 1.4 TC with it by any chance.

coscorrosa · June 30, 2009

dlplumer wrote:

Oh yes. I forgot how jealous I was when I heard that. Well it certainly paid off. It's on my wish list, and will one day get it and a full frame. Did you use a 1.4 TC with it by any chance.

Not on any of those shots, I did try it out a little (light wasn't as good then), but I think the 500 + 1.4 (700 f/5.6) has equal if not better IQ than the 100-400 at 400mm (also f/5.6). I haven't done extensive testing, but that's my general impression.

Awais Yaqub · July 1, 2009

Amazing as usual.

Secluded Valley · July 1, 2009

Beautiful as usual, Ron. When you're back here in the fall, you'll have to climb the hill behind Grand Prismatic Spring on a sunny day...the colors are unbelievable

Kristine

Some quickies from Yellowstone

Comments