Curtains

[JimFox]

I ran up to Yosemite early in the week as I saw the forecast was for a late afternoon snow storm with an early morning clearing storm. This was from the clearing storm, and the clouds were acting like a curtain in the sky momentarily pulling open and showing a peak or two and then within seconds closing again. Literally the openings would last maybe 10 or 15 seconds, rarely time to go from wide to tight or vice-versa.

It was a fun and exciting show to watch, I think I was up at Tunnel View maybe a couple of hours. Here is one such moment when the curtain was momentarily opened.

All comments are welcome,

Jim

 

[Ben Egbert]

This is nice, but I wish for a bit wider opening.

 

[JimFox]

This is nice, but I wish for a bit wider opening.

That's interesting Ben. Perhaps it's my familiarity with Yosemite that for me the smaller openings here that only just show part of El Capitan and then Half Dome is perfection. I have other photos on other days in the past where it's showing probably more of what you have in mind. So the appeal of this may just be more personal for me.

Now I do also have some shots where I shot wider, which shows the trees in the foreground with then the window in the background so perhaps that will be more to your liking? The next one I am working on is on with a slightly larger opening, but the sun is up (though hidden) and is lighting up some background clouds in the window. And then I think I will work on some of the wider ones.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Hey Jim, if this is your vision, its good to go. I agree sometimes it helps to really know the subject to know what that vision is.

 

[Rick Schump]

I just shot that same ( well not really shot) just down the road from my house

 

[AlanLichty]

Interesting concept but I have to agree with Ben that this opening is just a bit too small. As someone with zero familiarity with what I should be seeing from here there really isn't enough showing to set the hook for me.

 

[JimFox]

I just shot that same ( well not really shot) just down the road from my house

Hey Rick, shoot it where ever you can!

 

[JimFox]

Interesting concept but I have to agree with Ben that this opening is just a bit too small. As someone with zero familiarity with what I should be seeing from here there really isn't enough showing to set the hook for me.

Thanks Alan, like with Ben I find it very interesting how it doesn’t appeal to you and Ben. And that’s okay, it’s good to know and makes me think about why I like it sooooooo much.

 

[AlanLichty]

Thanks Alan, like with Ben I find it very interesting how it doesn’t appeal to you and Ben. And that’s okay, it’s good to know and makes me think about why I like it sooooooo much.

That one's easy - you know what's behind the clouds......

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Thanks Alan, like with Ben I find it very interesting how it doesn’t appeal to you and Ben. And that’s okay, it’s good to know and makes me think about why I like it sooooooo much.

I am with Ben and Alan. However its your image Jim. If you like it that much, that's all that matters.

 

[Mike Mancil]

Being from the SE and not knowing what's behind the cloud, I like this shot as a "teaser" to what's there if I just wait for one more curtain, or one more after that, ok, just one more after the last .

 

[Douglas Sherman]

One of my favorite things is to watch a western storm clearing. The clouds moving in and out and the mists rising as the sun warms newly fallen snow is magical. So I understand your fascination with this. It is the anticipation of what will be revealed next that makes it so exciting.

 

[Jim Dockery]

I agree with the others on the small opening, but think this image could be improved with a much tighter crop.

 

[Bart Carrig]

I like it a lot Jim -- I still can't believe of all the places I've been, I've never been there. But I sure do enjoy images of it. I'll have to cure that some time. I was also looking at the idea of a pano approach to it, taking just a touch off the top and a little off the bottom.

Bart

 

[JimFox]

That one's easy - you know what's behind the clouds......

I thought everyone knew what Yosemite Valley looked like.

 

[JimFox]

Being from the SE and not knowing what's behind the cloud, I like this shot as a "teaser" to what's there if I just wait for one more curtain, or one more after that, ok, just one more after the last .

One of my favorite things is to watch a western storm clearing. The clouds moving in and out and the mists rising as the sun warms newly fallen snow is magical. So I understand your fascination with this. It is the anticipation of what will be revealed next that makes it so exciting.

Thanks you guys. I guess it's my emotional connection with shooting it that makes me like it so much. And Doug, you are correct, it as so fun just waiting and watching for the ever changing show in front of me.

 

[JimFox]

I agree with the others on the small opening, but think this image could be improved with a much tighter crop.

Thanks Jim, for the idea. In this case I can't see cropping this at all. It's the surrounding clouds that for me give this one life. The clouds need to anchor the image, so when the curtain opens one can see the stage of the clouds.

Anyway, that's where my mind is with it. I appreciate the suggestion.

 

[JimFox]

I like it a lot Jim -- I still can't believe of all the places I've been, I've never been there. But I sure do enjoy images of it. I'll have to cure that some time. I was also looking at the idea of a pano approach to it, taking just a touch off the top and a little off the bottom.

Bart

Hey Bart, I can't believe you haven't been here before! You really need to get out to Yosemite. Why not come in the May when the Dogwoods are blooming? For a landscape photographer, to not to have visited Yosemite is almost criminal in my mind.

As you can see, and probably already knew, I love Yosemite! I have been hiking, exploring, photographing Yosemite for about 45 years now and I still can't get enough of it.

 

[Alisa]

I love the color in this image and the mood but I have to agree the clouds seem to take a lot of the image. Maybe cropping it as mentioned would help more of the focus be on the cloud opening. It it your image and your imagination it does make it mysterious.

 

[BarryHamilton]

I like it as is. Beautiful lighting and the 'teaser' aspect is very nice. Although I haven't been there in many, many years, I know what's behind the clouds so maybe my pov is skewed.
I like it!