Bluff Knoll - Sterling Ranges

[biggerry]

One of the highest points in Western Australia, if you ever have the opportunity to climb it, I can thoroughly recommend it.

This place just crys out for panoramas, the vast expanse of land that can be seen from the peak is astounding, I wish I had more time here, not to mention a clearer day, however one must work with what one has

Suggestions on improving panos, in composition and processing is welcome.

the formidable sight as one drives into the park.


view from teh carpark

view from teh top

a local going a bit slower than us

and the final descent

[phillipb]

Great work Gerry, I even like the constipated snail
I would have liked to see a little more sky in the third pano.

[colin_12]

I like these Gerry.
I would crop the top of the snail image to give it a pano feel for something different.

[surenj]

While the #1 is a classic, I love the framing of the 3rd. I can never appreciate these panos in small format though. Are you going to print any of these large? I bet the #1 would sell.


Loving the snail!! Reminds us to look away and around the main subject to find even more interesting details...

[Killakoala]

The Stirling Ranges truly are a spectacular part of WA. And it's fair to say they haven't changed a bit since I climbed them in the 90s.

I do like the first pano. It triggers the memory in my mind of when I first saw the mountains. I remember the feeling I had when I sat on top of the bluff. The deathly quiet of the surroundings and the magnificent view below. I felt like I could feel and hear the mountain, like I was a part of it. Quite a surreal moment in one's life.

Thanks for the memories.

[biggerry]

I would have liked to see a little more sky in the third pano.

agreed, hindsight I should have angled up slightly to remove some of that foreground. these were also taken in portrait orientation so I should have had no excuse.

I would crop the top of the snail image to give it a pano feel for something different.

it would then fit with teh theme eh?

I can never appreciate these panos in small format though. Are you going to print any of these large?

I now can, since these large .nefs crash NX2 everytime. I am nit sure about printing yet, I want to rework that first one a bit - mainly to even up the sky, the LHS looks too bright and the RHS too saturated (ploariser).

The Stirling Ranges truly are a spectacular part of WA. And it's fair to say they haven't changed a bit since I climbed them in the 90s.

Agreed Steve and I hope they are like that still in another 20 years!

The deathly quiet of the surroundings and the magnificent view below

yep, no photo can reproduce that... thankfully

[DaveB]

A very nice set. The first one is definitely evocative for anyone who's been there.

I have vivid memories of racing down the road to the carpark at the base of Bluff Knoll to get set up before dawn, only to drop my 30D with 17-40/4 onto the bitumen from about 7 feet up! Gingerly put the smashed lens and body onto the back seat of the car, and went on shooting with a 350D with 28-135mm. But of course the photos weren't anywhere near as good as they would have been if I'd had the right lens.
Incidentally, the lens got repaired (yay for insurance) and the camera body just kept ticking...

Thanks for sharing these!

[Nikon boy]

Gerry they all look fantastic on my monitor
thanks for posting
must go there one day

[surenj]

I now can, since these large .nefs crash NX2 everytime. I am nit sure about printing yet, I want to rework that first one a bit - mainly to even up the sky, the LHS looks too bright and the RHS too saturated (ploariser).

Now that you mention it... Would be a relatively simple fix but you won't be able to completely disguise the polarising effect on the foliage I suppose. If you find out how, please let me know. I can leave the polariser out of the equation when I try panos next time....

[biggerry]

A very nice set. The first one is definitely evocative for anyone who's been there.

ta, I agree I am sure I will look back on taht image and it will bring back plenty of memories of the region and that specific walk.

I have vivid memories of racing down the road to the carpark at the base of Bluff Knoll to get set up before dawn, only to drop my 30D with 17-40/4 onto the bitumen from about 7 feet up! Gingerly put the smashed lens and body onto the back seat of the car, and went on shooting with a 350D with 28-135mm. But of course the photos weren't anywhere near as good as they would have been if I'd had the right lens.

ouch... lesson learnt to be extra careful early in the morning, I find I do plenty of stupid things at that stupid hour

Gerry they all look fantastic on my monitor

excellent

Now that you mention it... Would be a relatively simple fix but you won't be able to completely disguise the polarising effect on the foliage I suppose. If you find out how, please let me know. I can leave the polariser out of the equation when I try panos next time....

The foliage is not a problem for me, i love the extra saturation it gives, its more the sky, it can sometimes cause issues. I will rework this image, when I convince NX2 to stop crashing with it