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Strange Beauty

© Melissa Olsen

Strange Beauty

Uploaded: November 05, 2008

Description

After having been to Yellowstone National Park and seeing the rebirth of vegetation and the remains of the burned trees amidst the steam of the geysers, I was prompted to research the 1988 fire that destroyed so much of Yellowstone. While I was intrigued with some of photos that I off loaded when I got home I was also reminded of how precious our National Parks are.

Exif: F Number: 10, Exposure Bias Value: -0.67, ExposureTime: 1/400 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 32.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT

Comments

Eivor Kuchta November 05, 2008

I was in Yellowstone in July last year. How fascinating to see it covered with snow. Wonderful job on the exposure, Melissa! #1029606

Deb Koskovich November 05, 2008

You captured such amazing yet stark beauty here, Melissa. I will definitely look up your suggested reading. #6710770

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe November 05, 2008

You have done an Outstanding job with this Melissa! Jeff #6710794

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe November 05, 2008

Wonderful capture and info Melissa. #6710859

Vitor Dias November 05, 2008

AMAZING PIC.
Congts Melissa.
rgs Vitor #6710929

November 05, 2008

Great capture Melissa! #6710935

Jim Huffield November 05, 2008

Very nicely done, Melissa. Jim #6710975

Debbra Bailey November 05, 2008

Awesome image Melissa! #6711046

Patricia A. Stalter November 05, 2008

Wow girl, you were burning some midnight oil here! I like what you have done here and the message it brings. Who knows, maybe dead trees do sell :) #6711128

Ray Clarke November 05, 2008

Wonderful image Melissa.!!!(R) #6711166

Jessica Jenney November 05, 2008

Beautiful composition and contrasting tones and forms, Melissa! #6711229

Ron McEwan November 05, 2008

Neat, you shot it in color but it came out B&W, a fantastic photo. #6711269

Sandy Powers November 05, 2008

It's so interesting how, even after being burned and destroyed, God creates such winter beauty out of the barrenness. Kind of a poignant reminder that he does the same thing in our lives too, huh? :)

#6711337

Melissa G. Meiselman November 05, 2008

Melissa, this snow scene is perfectly exposed for snow with the subtle detail in the white areas. Those silhouettes of the remaining dead trees are incredible and really tell the story. It has been twenty years since that fire and I wonder what is growing beneath the snow cover. #6711358

Mike Clime November 05, 2008

I really like this, Melissa! The snow the burned trees and the steam in the background are excellent. Don't you think we should charge more to get into our parks? $10 a day for a car is way to cheap when people are willing to spend hundreds to go to Disney. #6711687

Bill Knaps November 05, 2008

I must say a historical capture Melissa. Thanks for Sharing with us. Bill #6711776

Jennifer L. Taranto November 05, 2008

your exposure is spot on!! I love how I can feel the cold from this!! #6711805

Jeana Clark November 05, 2008


So Beautiful Melissa!!!
I completely agree with Sandy!!!
Beautifully captured and presented!!

~J~ #6712052

Audrey K. Kanekoa-Madrid November 05, 2008

When I was younger, my mom took us to Yellowstone right after the fires. Everybody thought..."Yellowstone? In the Winter? After the fires??" Anyway, it was stunningly beautiful in its simple b&w and I will never forget it. Thank you for sharing. This is beautiful. #6712782

Heidi Knight November 05, 2008

Gave me a bit of chilles, this image. But I like it very much. It has a sad beauty!!! Well seen and captured, Melissa ;0) #6712825

Kaye Burazin November 05, 2008

Monumental impact. Superb in every way. #6713300

Melissa Olsen November 05, 2008

Thank you all so much! Yellowstone is a magical place and I am so happy I finally got to see it...even if it was snowing...LOL #6713346

Janet Daniel November 05, 2008

A spectacular beauty, Melissa! Lovely presentation! #6713383

Kathy L. Clark November 06, 2008

This is wonderful Melissa. So austere and lovely. #6715497

Melissa Olsen November 06, 2008

Thank you Janet! #6715498

Mitch Spence level-classic November 07, 2008

Starkly beautiful, Melissa, but again with those delicate little touches of color. #6720959

Courtenay Vanderbilt November 07, 2008

Fires are a terrible destructive occurrence, but they are also a natural way for Nature to renew herself. Beautiful capture and poignant reminder. #6722706

frank w. degenhardt November 08, 2008

Melissa- I love the title as that is exactly what you have here. It is a reminder that as tough and wild as some of the country may seem, it is also delicate and can be easily be destoyed.
Excellent framing, Love the look of the charred remains sticking up out of the snow. Beautiful lighting and clarity. I love the contrast of the trees against the snow.
Fantastic work #6725256

Melissa Olsen November 08, 2008

Thank you so much Mitch, Courtenay, and Frank! #6726107

Ken Smith level-classic November 09, 2008

Not many people visit Yellowstone when it's snowy..this turned out perfectly, Melissa! #6728872

Ken Austin November 09, 2008

Outstanding.... This is Winter in Yellowstone! #6729037

Susan Weisensel November 11, 2008

Stunning, there is something about the thick clouds and the snow that lets you here every sound in the air. #6739390

Melissa Olsen November 11, 2008

Thanks you Ken S, Ken A and Susan. Indeed it was a magical time I had in Yellowstone. #6739497

Susan M. Campbell November 11, 2008

This is fabulous Melissa. It really shows how desolate parts of Yellowstone are. It really is a beautiful park. #6740751

Irene Colling level-classic November 11, 2008

Awesome image Melissa.
It has a very artsy feel to it.
I love the lines and high contrast color. #6741143

Nancyj E. Hovey level-classic November 12, 2008

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S on your EFP... what a stunning image, and great reminder to us all! 8o) #6744523

Courtenay Vanderbilt November 12, 2008

Congrats Melissa! #6746138

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