Waking the Mist Photo

Photographer’s Note

Because i was in charge of leading a group of students while i was in Panama, i was unable to get away to take pictures on my own terms on a consistent basis.

One day, however, we were visiting a rural coastal town named Mariato. The schedule was a little bit flexible for the following day, so i took the liberty to wake up at 4:30 with a friend for sunrise pictures. We took off with cameras and tripods in our backpacks and headlamps on our heads, determined to climb a hill/mountain before sunrise and take sunrise pictures from the top.

We picked out a ridge that looked possible from amid the incredibly steep and overgrown hillside the night before and stuck to our plan. The climb generally featured ditches carved by water running off the summit, sometimes reaching ten feet deep... usually the only places that weren't completely overgrown.

After arriving on top, we were greeted with stunning views to the east of low-hanging clouds drifting through the trees and the sound of runoff streams cascading down the mountainsides in a series of unseen waterfalls.

This is one of the first pictures i was able to take while on top.

rcrick, chicken, Dpbours, crhieatt, AmiBe, delic, happypoppeye, alainh has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

evarol (192) 2007-07-30 20:57

Hello Sam,
This is such a mystical shot that resembles some dark fantasy story. The blue hue and the mist on the ground are the main reasons for such mood and you captured it well.
Regards,
Erdem

colinb (1526) 2007-07-30 21:00

Great capture of the misty highland jungle. From traveling in Costa Rica, I know this type of scene well, where the moisture of the ocean meets the highlands and creates a dense fog. You have done an amazing job of showcasing the softness of the mist while still capturing the details of the trees, all in a low light setting. Great job.

jurek1951 (25890) 2007-07-30 22:00

Hi Sam,
Well seen, a beautiful landscape, the sphere is beautiful, also the colours. Good lighting and composition

rcrick (346) 2007-07-30 22:15

Hi Sam, Stunning image and with the 30sec duration you have captured excellent detail with a good dof, a really great job, tfs Cheers Rick

chicken (1781) 2007-07-30 23:27

Very moody image, I like the ghost-like wafts of mist. After reading your note I'm curiously waiting for your next upload :-)

fleopold (1359) 2007-07-30 23:32

Hello Sam!
This is an amazing shot. The blue colour is great. Well done.
Greetings from Austria!

sothy81 (8518) 2007-07-31 0:28

Hi sam,

THis is a very nice mist... I love the effect of the light and color there. Very dramatic. The mist makes the picture more into moody feeling. Well done.

Sothy

Dpbours (218) 2007-07-31 2:44

Hi Sam,

Just wonderful how those trees peek through the mist. Very nice!! You are well rewarded for your long climb.

Greetings, Dennis

crhieatt (5143) 2007-07-31 9:49

Sam,
Although this is a very dark picture, it still contains lots of detail and, like the mist, has a mood hanging over it which any more brightness might kill.
I like it.
Regards
Colin

vincz (19039) 2007-07-31 9:56

Beautiful image with stunning blue colours. I love the atmosphere there, Very well seen and executed.

AmiBe (6042) 2007-07-31 12:18

Hi Sam,
the blue tones are fantastic !
Because of the early hour, the atmosphere is very special.
Great one

delic (6735) 2007-07-31 14:13

Hello Sam,
An otherworldly image with mist surrounding the hilltop. I like the tight composition with minimal sky. Admirable dedication on your part to get up early for this shot. Regards,
Hakan

happypoppeye (4060) 2007-08-01 17:15

Nice landscape shot Sam. Love the darker type exposure and resulting colors. The mist on the hills looks great, providing a little extra contrast and adding to the "rainforest" feel.. The greens of the trees are just barely visible in the lighting and horizon line is placed well. A great note to top it off.

Great work.
John

cdmonson (2751) 2007-08-09 16:28

Fantastic shot Sam. The combination of the snaking mist and the up and down of the mountains is quite mystical. The sky in the background seems a little posterized, but otherwise this is great.

Clark

Enidlareg (2309) 2007-09-03 12:39

Hello Sam

It is a beautiful photo and you were rewarded for your efforts!
the effects of the clouds on the mountain are surprising!
I like so much this blue and cold color !
Superb!
Geraldine

PJE (19401) 2007-09-06 22:21

Sam excellent capture with the mist. I love scenes like this. and in the morning and evening hours the mist moves very quickly at times. Timing is everything. Very well done here. TFS!

Stepan (27175) 2007-09-08 0:02

An excellent light management with great blue colors in a wonderful place makes the pic really great. Must have been a good moment.
Stéphane

alainh (35357) 2007-09-10 13:05

hello Sam
the kind of atmosphere i try to capture. a very nice picture and a great painting you made.
have a nice day Sam
alain