Not Every Photo Needs Perfect Fall Color | Zion Fall Photography - Episode 4

Some images have different needs -
I explore three compositions with the large format camera in this episode - one on my Horseman 6x12 film back and two on 4x5 sheet film. One image was only made possible because it hadn't yet transitioned into fall color, which only goes to show that fall colors aren't the only possible subjects...
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:16 Setting up composition 1
02:30 Light table review image 1
03:22 Finished image 1
03:55 Setting up composition 2
06:37 Light table review image 2
07:29 Finished image 2
07:58 Setting up composition 3
09:55 Light table review image 3
11:13 Finished image 3
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[@sophietucker1255]

I like the last one the best but the green leaves against the red rock background is also very nice

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Sophie!

[@lombardy3274]

I quite liked the dense, dark and moody tone in the first Velvia image of the third scene.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Lom! I may have to revisit that exposure and take another look..

[@jaymathews356]

Happy Holidays, Chris! May you & your loved ones have a happy & healthy season.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks so much Jay, likewise and happy holidays to you and yours!

[@valdezapg]

The comparison at the end of the video with and without 81B filter is very good, I really like the picture with 81B.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thank you so much!

[@berthaduniverse]

Good evening Chris, a happy Merry and merry Happy to you . I'm feeling a bit of chaos in this episodes series. I'm thinking these stream bottoms are getting over grown, and the compositions are reflecting it. Thanks so much for all your work. Hope you are well.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Paul! You might be right there. I know the washes got hit hard with flash floods during this last year or two as well, that brought a lot of debris in areas and made it harder to find clean sections of wash as well

[@MattWeddis]

I’m one of those weirdos that aren’t fussed by fall colours. However, that first image that plays the colour and texture of the trees against that of the rocks, really impressed me.

[@ChrisDarnell]

I can totally see that; as much as the fall season is "go time" for me and everything becomes a mad rush trying to see and photograph as much as I can, that's basically what primarily black and white photographers are all about; they aren't too bothered by all that color stuff. Thanks Matt!

[@patrickguilfoyle8884]

Great 1st image & color correct editing. Image #2 well done. I really like your 3rd image after cropping. outstanding

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Patrick!

[@philipculbertson55]

As always Chris, I enjoyed the video. There is something special about Zion, a lot special actually, but for me the slower more relaxed pace of your videos as well as Ben's really brings that out. I'm not quite even sure how to say it in any other way but they really bring out the uniqueness and beauty of the place. By the way, the last shot was my favorite of the day. the progression of color, the coolness of the rock and the little shrub on the left really created a really nice composition. Well done.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks so much Philip! It's a pretty difficult task at times trying to relay the experience of being there to the camera so I'm really happy to know it's enjoyed, it really does make all the difference. Cheers and happy new year!

[@BenHorne]

I love being able to revisit Zion during the fall with your videos. Even though it wasn't all that long ago, it sure feels like it was. That slope you were photographing in your final shot is the one where I smashed my hand. Good memories. :-) The second photo is definitely a very unique take for Zion. It has all the elements I love so much about Zion, and in the last photo, I really like the transition from yellow to red. That grove looked so wonderful this year.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks so much Ben! Hopefully no lasting issues with your hand, looked pretty painful on your first episode :(

[@edn5271]

Chris: Great shots. As a suggestion, have you considered using a black cardboard mask around your transparencies when you show them on the light table? A simple 6 x 12 rectangle cut out to lay over the film makes looking at them so much more enjoyable and without the eye strain. Also you can do a 4 x 5 cutout. I was in Zion during this same time and agree that the maples were really nice. What was amazing was that the maples down in the main valley by the river walk were 100% green. I like your relaxed style, very stress free. Happy Holidays!

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Ed for the suggestion, I'll have to explore some ideas there and see what I can do. I never made it into the main canyon this year, although it seems the color there is often a week or two behind the higher elevations so that sounds about right. It's definitely interesting how much variance you can see in the park. Thanks and happy holidays to you also!

[@motodiaries8204]

I like the oak trees. Fall color can become a bit cliché. On the fall color shot I might have included a bit less of the wash and done a bit of a gradient exposure adjustment to the stones to help contain the bottom part of the image. Don’t know if you are opposed to that kind of thing but I like to use it on occasion.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks so much! Truthfully when it comes to post processing I can be pretty liberal if the image calls for it. I hadn't considered that one, I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@joelbenguigui2016]

Hey Chris, I’d say, out the 3, the second image is the winner! I love these trees against the yellowish stone. I’m wondering if the first one could have had more dynamic if captures in portrait orientation rather than landscape.. As for the third, I like the very graphic composition and that makes me wonder if if could have had a little something extra of captured with a bw film.. Cheers, J.

[@danncorbit3623]

My favorite was the oak trees.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Dann!

[@jayobrien6318]

Like them all, well done

[@2252269]

Very nice. Your Provia edit speaks to me. Overall, I've learnt a lot from your presentation on the location and composition. I would think you are learning by doing and actually gently teaching your audience. Very clever. Respect.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks so much Istvan, that's certainly been my goal and I'm happy to know it's working!

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Jay!

[@joelbenguigui2016]

Hey Chris, I’d say, our the 3, the second image is the winner! I love thèse trees against the yellowish stone. I’m wondering if the first one could have had more dynamic if captures in portrait orientation rather than landscape.. As for the third, I like the very graphic composition and that makes me wonder if if could have had a little something extra of captured with a bw film.. Cheers, J.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Joel for the suggestions, it never occurred to me to shoot black and white on that last image. I'll have to remember that next year!

[@flipflopsLF]

Thoughts on the Oak Trees w/Green Leaves: The trunk (3) section drew my attention. Maybe a vertical 4x5 to capture this plus your comp. Next year. Thanks

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks for the suggestion! Agreed, next year I'll have to explore the scene some more and see what else I can do with it

[@fairwayfrank]

Well, merry merry on Christmas Day. Great save on the final image (I'm a fan of more pano-ish images), it really captures the sense of autumn in Zion. You had to look far and wide to find that much clean green this year, but you did it with the oaks. I'm guessing there's still more ahead in this series (yea!), but will we be seeing you in Death Valley next month?

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Frank! Happy holidays to you as well. Definitely more to come, only about half way there so far. I haven't made a decision on DV just yet, but I probably better soon. Last year was a rough trip so I'm feeling a bit like a redemption visit might be in order...

[@mikenorton2727]

Hi Chris, Like your large format technic and image’s(high standard). Lenses suggest Schneider range,the 90mm had good success in the past. Newer 4x5 lenses? Happy new year.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks so much! I've had my eye on a few Schneiders in the past, one of these days perhaps I'll buy one to give it a try.

[@brianbeattyphotography]

Great images Chris, especially the last one. Captures the feeling of fall well and the variability that comes with the changing season. On the first one it looks like the red was blurred somewhat, is that from the film or KZbin video compression?

[@ChrisDarnell]

Thanks Brian! It's probably video compression, but it's possible I've got some colors clipping the sRGB color gamut also 😕 the film transparency looked fine

[@brianbeattyphotography]

@@ChrisDarnell gotcha - glad to hear. I'm occasionally surprised at how the video compression renders. Most of the time it's fine, but sometimes there's some odd things that pop up. What a great scene!

[@tim31415]

You really need to work on your issues with blue skies ;-). Both shots are great, as usual.

[@ChrisDarnell]

Haha thanks Tim, I certainly do!