Grizzly Country, a photo from Montana, West

Photographer's Note

Location: This photo was taken 1 mile inside the Northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park with the Soda Butte Creek in the foreground and mountains of the Absaroka Range in the background. This part of the park is located just over the border of Montana and Wyoming on the Montana side.

About the Photo: There was a forest fire somewhere on the horizon and the sun shining through the smoke was making everything look warmer than usual. It was like a natural warming filter and color intensifier. I have driven past this same location as the sun was setting dozens of times, but I've never seen it look quite so colorful, so I quickly stopped the car, jumped out, and hurried and took a few pictures before the sun disappeared behind the mountains.

P.S. This is my favorite place in the entire world.

P.S.S. The very next morning we watched a grizzly bear hunt ground squirrels in this meadow and cross the creek right next to the trees on the right. I will post a photo of it crossing the creek here as workshop.

Scharan, bibs69, Elaine_Blath, craiggc, kebek, startacked, chicken has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Scharan (14144) 2006-07-23 23:59

Olá Ryan
Excelente foto, cenário lindo, cores perfeitas. Ficou linda essa divisão do sol e da sombra e o céu está maravilhoso.
Abraços,
Vera.

bibs69 (3251) 2006-07-24 2:30

Hello Ryan,

I really like this picture. The exposure is pretty well balanced between the moutain and the trees and colors are excellent.

Best regards, Laurent

Elaine_Blath (8471) 2006-07-24 2:43

Hi Ryan,

a wonderful place captured in wonderful colours...amazing summer scenery...

take care, Ivana

luisafonso (862) 2006-07-24 3:29

Good composition Ryan. I mean, it's simple, but flawless. Love the way you divided the frame in two. Light and shadow play a crucial role here. The upper part is dreamful, with its vibrant colors, very well exposed. You are right about that special light. The darker bottom part has not the glow of the oposite one, but surely contributes to the contrast in this great picture. Muito boa companheiro!

craiggc (2509) 2006-07-24 4:21

Spot on exposure Ryan, difficult as the fireground was in shade. Your use of the grad has worked well.

Nice sharp image too.
TFS
Craig

kebek (5438) 2006-07-24 4:23

Serwus Ryan !
Skilfully set exposure and the warm light You rendered make this image outstanding. Lovely, quiet atmosphere at the end of the day in stunning spot.
About the WS and Your note - man, isn't it a bit like "playing with fire" ? :) I'm a bit afraid of Tatras' brown bears, lately common on the marked trails even if it is said they have quite gentle temper. But so close to the grizzly ? You're a brave man.
The WS version deserves separate publishing, imho.
Thank You,
Mat

leiju (1697) 2006-07-24 6:20

*sigh*

What pictures!! The colors in both are simply stunningly warm and natural. Brilliant!
I Love how the top of the mountain is so warm and bright yet still you get out the greens at the bottom so fresh and full of Life. A magnificent range of colors!
And the WS shot of the bear is wonderful... he looks like he's just minding his own business and that's about it. So relaxed and cool :D
I wish I lived there :D
TFS!
Julia

startacked (1395) 2006-07-24 15:46

Hi Ryan,

Very clean image and, again, amazing colors. Your images have so much more color intensity compared to all other post on TE. Very constant quality. The absolute landscape & PP king. Very inspiring! Thanks, Gilbert

dsidwell (9783) 2006-07-24 21:47

Hi Ryan! Very lovely tones and colors here. IT's so nice how you've captured both the shadow and highlight in such detail and rich texture and color. Nice work!

kensimage (8563) 2006-07-25 11:28

A relatively ordinary Rocky Mountain scene is made rich and wonderful by the light here, Ryan, with assistance from your composition and PP. I like the fact you have brought out color even in the shadows--must be the ND grad. One small complaint--perhaps the sky is a bit oversaturated. Regards, Ken.