Autumn in Crested Butte, Colorado

[terrib]

I spent 3 1/2 days last week in the Crested Butte area of Colorado specifically for autumn landscapes. The weather ranged from snow to sleet to rain to clear skies. I had never been to any of the areas before so nothing was pre-planned but I was alone and able to take my time. These were all processed in Lightroom and NIK Color Efex.

Always looking for C&C on my landscape work. Thanks for taking the time!

#1 Taken on Ohio Pass shortly after sunrise.



#2 My cliche shot on Kebler Pass. It's harder than you think to find the right combo of trunks!



#3 The first sunshine. Gothic Rd. I would have preferred to have gotten a lower perspective to let the aspens cover some of that middle ground but it was too steep for me to get down there.



#4 Above the Slate River.



#6 Slate River (next morning). I worked these beaver ponds and the creek here for 2 1/2 hours the last morning. I had the place all to myself and it was a wonderful morning. When I was adding the coordinates to the maps in Lightroom I found that the creek was called "Oh-be-Joyful Creek". I was!!

I have another composition where the clump of grass lower right is more on the 1/3 lines but the water was not as still so I chose this one.

[pnodrog]

You should be deservedly happy with this selection of photos.

[PhotoByTrace]

Hi Terri,
Such a beautiful series... love the colours in the landscape and the snow capped peaks, and that mirror reflection; wow, just lovely.
In terms of C&C, I feel like my comments would really just be about adding small touches that probably won't make a lot of impact on the picture overall, but just "touch-ups".

I really like the vista in the first photo, very classic with that light dusting of snow. I think I'd maybe just darken the sky a tad and burn the clouds a little more just to give more contrast between the snowy peaks of the mountains and the sky. I'd probably say the same for number 4. But truly, I could stare at those views for hours; definitely a case of "Oh-be-Joyful".

In number 2, I really like the composition you've settled on. While I've never had the joy of trying for an aspen trunk composition, I've tried it with paperbarks, and certainly agree with your sentiment on how difficult it is to find the "right" pattern. I think you've done really well with that, but I feel the foreground trunks just seem a bit flat and two-dimensional. Maybe need some shadows back in there, or perhaps it is the sharpening, I'm not sure. But I think I'd try to bring some shadow back into the trunks, or perhaps just some very gentle burning down the outer edge of the trunks to bring the perception of the curve back.

Love this series, and wish I could have joined in the enjoyment of the landscapes. Dan's been posting some that have also had me wishing I could see it in person.

[Brownbear]

Hi Terri,

Just to say these are all beautiful, and I hope to capture similar images one day. My favourites are the 1st and the 3rd images for the compositions. Gorgeous colours and mountains.

The 2nd image is especially unique and lovely. The only thing I can think of that might enhance the image would be to darken the bright white spot on the top left hand corner, or paint it yellow.

[IzzieK]

Terri...I was looking for a favourite but I can't find one...being a sucker for autumn colours and aspens, I love them all.

[ShaneS]

Terri, these are all great! I really like the dappled light in the 3rd and like Trace wish I could see these scenes in person. I could have happily spent many hours in any of these locations.

[dje]

Lovely shots Terri. I'm extremely envious of you having access to this type of scenery which you've captured very well with good compositions. The last one is my favourite.

Dave

[Stagecoach]

Lovely series Terri, I especially like No 3 and the trunks in No 2. I yearn to see colours as these rather than the repetitive green we have here.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Wavelength]

What a set of images!!! truly awesome!!!

[BrianA61]

WOW! My faves are #1, #3 and the last one. Not a damn thing wrong with ANY of them, other than I wasn't there to see it in person. That is some spectacular scenery you have captured. Any of those would be worthy of putting on the wall.

[deetheturk]

Terri, what a beautiful series, very well captured, thank you for sharing

David

[John 2]

You didn't need a lower viewpoint for No.3 (provides depth to the comp as it is). That and no. 6 are just gorgeous. The rest aren't bad either .

[kdoc856]

Great series, Terri

#3 is just stunning for me, and I am always a sucker for an aspen shot. I hope you can get out again as the season progresses.

[terrib]

Well, I see now that I either can't count or I left out an image. I'll leave the incorrect numbering as is since comments have referred to those numbers.

Thank you all for your comments and feedback. I'm beginning to feel better about landscapes, although it still comes much harder to me than wildlife shots.

Trace, thank you for your detailed feedback. I see your point on the aspens being flat so I went back to the original to see if I'd brought up the shadows and I really had not. I played with the tone curve a bit and added some contrast which I think helped. I wonder if the main problem is that the trees are backlit so this view doesn't offer much texture or sense of curves.

Christina, I agree with you about the white spots at the top. I worked on it a bit in Lightroom but wasn't really happy with the results. It didn't bother me enough to deal with working it in Photoshop.

Thank you all again. Your comments and critiques really encourage me to keep doing landscapes!

[DanK]

Great images. I like #3 best because of the interesting lines and shapes.

[Donald]

Well done, Terri. Just shows what can be achieved when you have the right person in the right place, there is time and the mood and atmosphere are just right. It just all comes together. I know I certainly produce my best work when there are no time pressures about all the other things to be done at home or at work and when you can really get 'into-the-zone' (God, I hate jargon).

[Mike Buckley]

I'm beginning to feel better about landscapes

I would think so! Perhaps I should drag up your best landscapes from a couple years ago to remind you that none of them hold a candle to any of these.

All of the photos in this series are really nice but the photo of the aspens is quite special because of the unique color in the background. As for the post-processing, I prefer the first version because of its realism. It would be a good idea to conduct a search of Ansel Adams aspen photos to help you determine a style that you like; some are back lit or so diffusely lit as in your photo that they appear rather two-dimensional yet some are also front lit and some are side lit.

[bnnrcn]

Lovely series

[MarieV]

Mother Nature at her best and so beautifully captured.