Another Mono Lake Sunrise Photo

Photographer’s Note

Mono Lake, California

Scene
As I have mentioned before Mono Lake is an alkaline lake east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lake has really suffered during the 20th century due to water removal on the feeder streams by the City of Los Angles. LA has been mandated to return the lake to early 1960 levels and mitigate the damage done to this unique water body.

Background
This was the last morning of the California TE Summit and we were all at the South Tufa view area enjoying a beautiful late spring/early summer sunrise. I hiked off into the brush and further around to the right from the main view area to capture the image. I used the Tufa outcrop to block the rising sun and to generate a halo effect. I felt the contrail in the sky really added to the mood of the scene. But, I was not alone when I captured this image as there were about 10 other photographers from Japan working the scene.

leo61, Floydian, kebek, plimrn, edytungkal, feather, Photo65Net, pboehringer, jmcl, ruisc_pt, john_c has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

leo61 (43712) 2007-06-24 12:20

Hi John!
I like this one more than your previous one,because of the warmer sunrise colors.Good composition with this bizzarre island a bit out of the center and the bushes in the foreground.I like the blue/orange tones in the sky and at the reflections.There is a little tilt,but it`s a great shot.
Regards,Leo

rgarrigus (0) 2007-06-24 14:32

Hi John,

I prefer this one over your last submission of Mono Lake. The colors are great but I enjoy the more prominent placement of the outcrop and the halo as well. At first I wasn't sure about the con-trail but it somehow adds to the overall image.

gilou530 (35680) 2007-06-24 16:18

salut john
des couleurs fabuleuses pour cette photo, un cadrage parfait, un paysage de réve surtout pour faire de belle photo comme celle ci bravo
amitiés
gilbert

lasscor (7637) 2007-06-24 16:26

Hi John,
Wonderful sunset composition.
Beautiful landscape, framing, colors and light.
TFS,
Corinne

toto (18755) 2007-06-24 17:03

Belle photo de cet endroit magnifique, le couché de soleil aux lueurs douces donne un plus a votre photo. Amitiés Thomas

kebek (5434) 2007-06-24 17:18

Serwus John !
This is a good work, takin into consideration, that You shot this one against the sun. Great work with ND filter, the details are quite well visible. It has fine ambiance, but i suppose i would better like to see this scene from the opposite bank of the lake at the very same time :)
Best wishes,
M.

plimrn (19694) 2007-06-24 23:41

Hi John,
It is probably the most beautiful contrail I have seen with its translucent quality. The way it provides sharp contrast to the soft, horizontal clouds makes it an important part of the composition. Good idea to block the sun with the tufa, it does give a halo effect. I am also impressed with the detailo you captured in the tufa against the strong back-light. HLJ, Pat

[2] +

edytungkal (4519) 2007-06-25 2:42

Hello John
Beautiful sunrise from Mono Lake, the golden morning colours are great. I do prefer this shot than your previous, maybe the colours abit more impressive. Thanks for share it.

regards
daniel

Floydian (30970) 2007-06-25 3:33

Hi John,
8 points so far...TE must be crazy.
This one is so much better than your previous one. Not only the light, but the tufa is in full light with high detail. Small waves on the water, it must be very peaceful at sunrise...wish i was there with you. And although the horizon is a little bit tilted i think this image is a great one. One that you could look for hours, this never gets boring.
A stunning photo John, i am curious what you got more from this fantastic place.
Regards, Henk

feather (50144) 2007-06-25 5:54

I think I prefer this to the previous one, although the atmosphere captured isn't so serene there is more impact with the stronger colours. Good idea to compose the sun behind the tufa and despite shooting into the light there is detail to be seen there. Although the vapour trail is an unusual one and possibly quite attractive in its own right I feel it has no place on this photo, as it attracts my eye too much; despite the beauty of the rest of the photo my eye goes straight to it. Nevertheless it's a beautiful photo, immaculately produced.
Kath

Photo65Net (43096) 2007-06-25 6:01

John,
Wonderful colors in this picture.
The sky is superb, and I like a lot the white plane trace.
FG water texture is nice too, overall a nice one.
Regards,
JB.

pboehringer (770) 2007-06-25 15:36

John, this is an excellent shot and way better compared to your previous Mono Lake sunrise shot. The technique in using the tufa as a sunblock is a great idea. I did exactly the other way around (to be posted later). The halo effect is sensational and compensates the tilt to the right. I'm sure that your tripod and camera was perfectly horizontal, but the detailof the shot gives the impression of the tilt.
I like the warm colors contrasting with the water texture that gives a heavy like lead impression.
Amazing how much details you got fo the tufa despite shooting against light.

vincz (19045) 2007-06-28 5:34

Beautiful catch. Everything looks so calm and so quiet. Wish I was there. Excellent textures on the water.

jmcl (14145) 2007-07-01 13:54

hi John,

I love the use of the tufa and the sun .. wonderful tone .. beautiful image of this unique place. Here are a couple thoughts .. keeping in mind I think this is wonderful .. I wonder if a tighter crop in on the tufa would be better .. I might even go an inch from the bottom and right .. and a really picky one .. I might like a touch of water between the tufa tops? and the far shore .. it feels a nudge tilted to me as well .. but all those things are overwhelmed by the tone and unique place. .. wonderful image.

take care,

John

sebinho342 (18784) 2007-07-02 13:35

Hi John, a pleasure to see another picture of this marvelous site that i discovered in Henk's gallery. Surprisingly i think there are a little bit too much sharpness here in this shot, strange knowing your knowledge for handling of smooth ... here it's a little bit harsh ... don't worry my friend, a very little thing, just a remark of a man jealous of being unable to see this site for real ;)
Excellent :)

Bruno40 (6442) 2007-07-06 8:27

Hi John
First time coming to you gallery... sorry for the delay... I use to see your name at Stan's photos.
From your first page thisone called my attention... what can I say? I love sunries and sunstes... and combinded with water... it can't go wrong. But here you got an extra... that salt rock (I guess) and that cloud.. a great composition.
Good job, and see you often
Jorge

ruisc_pt (6207) 2007-07-08 12:50

Hi John
I think this is my first contact with your work..
I found you trough the lens option search.
Anyway.. I'm glad I do it cause I realize your work is fabulous...
TY V Much
Rui

john_c (24635) 2007-07-17 9:37

Hi John,
Having been away for some time from TE I am reviewing some of the great shots I have missed. This one is particularly effective, as despite the evening light the gentle ripples of the lake are clearly visible and the islet is neatly silhouetted. The streak of cloud in the sky caught by the sun further enhances. Well captured, John. Cheers.
John

ahmetgedikli (22094) 2007-07-29 17:54

Hi John,
Wonderful shot! Great colors, sharpness and very good lighting. Excellent work.
Have a nice week.
Ahmet