Buffalo Bill Reservoir Photo

Photographer’s Note

while on the road between the Yellostone National Park and Cody and moments after this and this shots were taken, I had this view over Buffalo Bill Reservoir. the setting sun behind my back brought out the textures of Cedar Mountains, and with gorgeous sky I could not resist yelling to Kristaps to stop the car for some snapshots.

the history of Buffalo Bill Reservoir and "Cody Country" is rooted in the rich lore of the old West. Buffalo Bill State Park was named for Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, famous as a wild west showman, promoter and developer. he first came to the region in the 1870s as a guide for a survey expedition and spent the next 20 years guiding and sponsoring hunting parties in the area. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was influential in bringing irrigation and agricultural development into the area and founded the town that bears his name. some of the land now occupied by Buffalo Bill State Park was originally owned by Colonel Cody and was acquired from him by the federal government to implement the reservoir project. work began on the dam in 1905. when completed in 1910 it was the highest dam in the world at 325 feet.

-------------------
RAW, ISO 320, 18mm focal length, spot metering.

pablominto, ktanska, ymrk, zmey, g_panakia, Greg1949, Wandering_Dan, belido, dareco, jorgi, delkoo, sacavem, Dpbours, fulvio52 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ktanska (16514) 2008-12-16 4:59

Hi Kristine,
Great looking wide open landscape. Big sky and warm low light that creates strong contrasts on dry landscape. Reservoir lake fits well in this landscape although I guess natural water is more rare there.
Kari

ymrk (8603) 2008-12-16 4:59

Hello Kristine;
Miracle landscape and beutiful cumulus...
Excellent shot and timing,
Good work!
Have a nice everytime...

YAĞMUR

cyrrhus (2878) 2008-12-16 6:01

Hi Kristine
It is interesting to notice how even a "simple" photo such as this one (sorry :-)) springs out of the TE gallery. The quality of the light, the sharpness and perfect balance of this scene are a good lesson for many of us.
It is particularly true in this picture because it has nothing extremely attractive at first sight... but it is perfect landscape photography of someone who knows when to stop the car!
Best regards Eric /.

zmey (7244) 2008-12-16 7:09

beautiful light in my humble opinion. not only beautiful but also perfect for showing the crazy textures of the far coast of the reservoir, the pattern of which is complemented by the clouds. very nice and pleasant shot!

hugs,
k.

Bartleby (4810) 2008-12-16 7:29

"Stop the car, stop the darn car" she yelled. But the driver would heed these words of wisdom. Finally he reluctantly pulled over and some time later, she called him "Hey look at that, wasn't it worth it?". He had to admit this was a cool pic. Superb light and texture on the rocks, simple yet effective, a gorgeous blue sky. What else could one ask for? Relieved, she sighed and thought to herself "Next time, I'll take the wheel!"

Take care,

Philippe

[2] +

g_panakia (3974) 2008-12-16 7:54

hi kristine
what an amazing landsape!!!
wild but beautiful...
the light is incredible and the colours warm and natural !!!
tfs
georgia

Greg1949 (8507) 2008-12-16 8:46

Kristine, the beauty of the land out there was awesome I am sure the shots are fantastic and yet they never really show the beauty our eyes and minds see when we are there. This one is almost surreal with the clouds in the sky and I really love the way you have the hard shadows. Great shot.

Greg

Wandering_Dan (3211) 2008-12-16 10:22

Hi, Kristine -

This is not your typical American West scene, but so what? (As my soon to be ex-leader would say.) It's gorgeous, perfect, great capture of the light, and Kristaps should have stopped the car BEFORE you had to tell him to!

Best,
Dan

belido (16273) 2008-12-16 13:51

Hi Kristine,

light+clever photography sense=great compo :) This horizontal golden light is best we can get and there you were to catch it. Well chosen theme, good use of the thirds and excellent exposure management. Love that!
Regards,
Carlos

jmdias (19071) 2008-12-16 15:59

kristine

veary beautiful that chaotic clouds in the sky, the shapes of this golden mountain are fabulous to see too. perfect pov, framing, light and sharpness. It is a beautiful compo, congratulations

hugs

jorge

gunbud (27763) 2008-12-16 18:23

Hi Kristine,
What a beautiful blue sky with its lovely wispy clouds to compliment the golden glow on the rolling bluffs.
The low cloud bank behind the bluffs makes for a mystical feel to this fine image.
Remember the barren banks of this giant reservoir on the drive to Cody. Did you buy a jackalope?
Regards, Tom

dareco (17104) 2008-12-16 19:35

Very beautiful lighting and color!! Nice pov and a very pretty scene. TFS

jorgi (3798) 2008-12-17 0:49

Hi Kristine,

so...it is again the same with you two...the poor fellow is a driver and we get all the fun observing and snapping :P
I'm glad he listens to his lady cause this scenery is pure delight to watch and it would be a shame not to have it photographed.
Wide angle from beloved Sigma really strikes with open view that draws you in like a magnet steal. Low clouds seems to try to imitate the form and textures of the mountain, however the higher ones appear like brush strokes on blue canvas.
A remarkable scenery of most delightful light.

My compliments,
Jeri

delkoo (34158) 2008-12-17 4:10

hi Kristine,
The clarity of this image is excellent. Well composed with good saturation of colour and sharpness.

best regards
didier

baba_flies (7951) 2008-12-17 4:25

Hello Kristine! You are such a great "composer", love the little bit of land on your side that you have included in your photo and this wide open feeling that you give us with this huge Western sky. The light is excellent, a later in the year light, well worth to go there beyond the main season. I don't know how you treat your photos, but you "treat" them so well, your special way, we all have our ways but this is really really nice. Great photo ... enjoy your morning, we had a snow storm, what a chaos when a town goes to work :))) Barbara.

PS1. I have not forgotten the photo, I guess I will send the link tomorrow at the latest ... there were all this xmas things, xmas yoga, xams shopping, xmas dinner ... neverthelss, it was a fun time but now I am ready to slow down and find a free minute a. to send you the picture and b. upload something new ...

PS2. Yes photo stops :))) My man said to me that next time he takes something to read with him when we go hiking so I can take my picture stops and he can read some lines in the meantime ... all so funny.

sacavem (8223) 2008-12-17 5:51

Olá Kristine,

Very nice landscape shot. Great colours and a very pleasant composition. Sky and the clouds colours are all nice perspective is excellent. Good DOF.
Best Regards,
Filipe

Dpbours (218) 2008-12-17 8:02

Hello Kristine,

Very nice toning here!! I need some nice light photos. It's all grey and dark here... Feeling an upcoming winter blues ;-).

Greetings!
Dennis

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-12-17 9:14

Hi, Kristine.
Empty, meditative, absolutely wonderful. For views of this caliber stopping the car is mandatory. Refusing to stop can have dreadful consequences for the driver, right? Hehehehehe!
Have a great day, see ya soon. HUGS,
Fulvio.

gneufeld (15167) 2008-12-17 15:15

Hi Kristine,
A very pleasing composition here with the wispy clouds adding much to this fine shot. I really like the deep rich colors. Well done and TFS. Gerald

Waylim (10741) 2008-12-18 0:11

Kristine,
Just the name of this reservoir is worth making a stop. My driver is really kind to me. I say when to stop, and most of the time by the time I know I want to stop we already passed it. He would make a U turn and go back to where I find my perfect POV. This is beautiful especially with this morning light. and beautiful sky with different kind of cloud in the horizon versus high up in the sky. Thanks Kristine.
Way

pablominto (40402) 2008-12-18 6:22

Hello Kristine,

Maybe strange but what I admire most here is the distant cloud formation!
The wonderful play of light is well exposed, and all together making a fine element in this attractive composition...
Good division of the frame, fine Nikon colours!

Greetings,
Pablo -

archimatica (13222) 2009-01-05 9:43

Ciao Kristine.
In front of the beauty of this landscape there is little to say, and much to see. Great work, great sensitivity.

Renzo

Angshu (33551) 2009-01-06 0:30

Hello Kristine
Yes that's a gorgeous sky no doubt, with cumulous clouds hugging the horizon & the wispy clouds above. But it's the low light hitting on the other bank, illuminating the brown colour, & setting up a nice play of light & shadow, which attracts me most. Good work!
All the best to you & Kristaps for 2009
Regards
Angshu

Leonie (8641) 2009-01-09 2:10

Hi Kristine!
So many beautiful pictures in your gallery! A real pleasure to look through all these fantastic landscapes!
Cheers, Léonie