Enchanted Sky Fire

Uploaded: September 30, 2007 18:51:22

Description

This was taken on a backpacking trip a few days ago. This is the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington, home of the rare golden larches and granite mountains. This is an amazing place, although incredibly difficult to reach. The hike in nearly killed me, over 5,000 vertical feet and many miles.

Comments

Timothy Dirks September 30, 2007

Wow! This is awesome Zack, where was it taken? #750901

Zachariah Schnepf September 30, 2007

This was taken in the alpine lakes wilderness in Washington. #4866723

Sharon Gross September 30, 2007

WOW!... Talk about "picture perfect" #4866726

Joaquin R. Felix September 30, 2007

Very interesting choice of color, as if it is the Red Planet. A splash of Pomegranate from the sky. I'm not sure if I like it or not. Very mysterious, Zack, and it sure catches my attention. #4866733

Zachariah Schnepf September 30, 2007

Well, like it or not this is how looked for the most part. It is 2 exposures hand blended, but the color has not been altered much at all. #4866738

Joaquin R. Felix September 30, 2007

Zack,

I'm a bit bothered by the red Pine trees down below, they are not convincingly real colors because it just doesn't exist in my own perspective, if you ask me. But then again, you're the artist. Nevertheless, it's a great subject and wonderful composition. #4866752

Zachariah Schnepf September 30, 2007

Well there's the problem right there, these are not pine trees at all, these are very rare golden larches. This is one of the very few locations I know of with such a concentration of these amazing specimens. Every autumn they turn from green, to yellow and orange. #4866771

Yves Rubin September 30, 2007

Amazing light Zack! I love everything about it, and the strong contrast makes it stand out among many such shots. Superb work! #4867022

Yuntao Liu September 30, 2007

Hi Zack, Great capture! I really like the tone and comp! Well done! #4867041

cheryl m. phillips September 30, 2007

W I N N E R!!
Wow!!!
This is beautiful Zack! The colors are amazing!
Wonderful work!
~cheryl #4867220

Teresa Burnett level-classic September 30, 2007

Spectacular! Teresa #4867366

Janine Russell level-classic October 12, 2007

Zack, awesome image; excellent colors, clarity and lighting. #4918458

Lorri Shane October 19, 2007

amazing, Zack. Now, I see what you mean. It was worth it, though. Stunning images! #4951070

Cathy Stancil October 24, 2007

Glorious image, Zack ! Good luck and congrats on the finalist ! #4974245

Brian K. Upton October 24, 2007

Lovely image, maybe a bit over saturated for me...but still looks awesome! #4974267

Sherry L. Davis October 24, 2007

Stunning! Awesome work, I love this! Congratulations of making finalist! #4974289

Lisa J. Boulden level-classic October 24, 2007

WOW!
Incredibly beautiful finalist!
--Lisa #4974380

"emmanuel ""nolax""" N. Montemar October 24, 2007

stunner! congrats! gooluck on the next round! #4974392

Neil R. Shapiro October 24, 2007

Beautiful landscape! Great image, good luck! #4974785

Patrick Campbell October 24, 2007

Your hard work paid off! What a gorgeous image!!! #4975749

Donna La Mattino Pagakis October 24, 2007

IMPRESSIVE, glorious scenic. Great colors and scene. A definite favorite, congratulations!! Good luck in the next round!! #4975767

Blake T. Lipthratt October 24, 2007

I've seen this over at flickr :)
Great shot, a sure winner. #4976001

Paul D. October 25, 2007

Zack, you and Adamus have this amazing ability to remind me how much I miss living in the Northwest. Super image. Until you live there, it's sometimes hard to believe that this is what sunsets look like (therefore, the amazing terra lighting).

If you don't mind me asking, did you use a ND Grad, or HDR, or did you pull in the RAW file a couple times? #4977285

Vicki Zoller October 25, 2007

Superb shot, superb eye...congrats on finalist selection...I suspect there will be a win involved too! Excellent...being from the NW myself I appreciate your abilities to capture the beauty and purity of our mountain range! #4977658

Debra P. Chenault level-classic October 25, 2007

Breathtaking! How did I miss this one before? Congrats on your finalist selection! Absolutely stunning shot! #4978203

Zachariah Schnepf October 25, 2007

Thanks all.

Paul, this is 3 exposures hand blended with selections, masking, and a few other techniques. There is actually an updated version that is even better on my site.

No filters were used in the field on this one, and no HDR. #4978840

Ronald F. Fischer October 25, 2007

Fabulous capture! #4982082

Lorri Shane October 25, 2007

Hey Zac==it was all worth "your most epic day"!! Well deserved. Congratulations! #4983152

Patrick R. McMullen October 26, 2007

Great photo Zack! Congratulations! Glad you got something that made it all worth the hike.
Pat #4984431

Sherry Sturgis October 26, 2007

MAGNIFICANT!!!
Congratulations, Zack! #4986084

randy dannheim October 26, 2007

Congrats my friend, the hike would have killed me. #4988268

Lynn Haack October 26, 2007

WOW WOW WOW....my mouth dropped open when I saw this spectacular image! I love the intensity of the color, dramaitc lighting and the sweeping vista. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with us! Lynn #4988331

Evy Johansen level-classic October 26, 2007

Congratulations on your very beautiful win, Zack!! #4988505

Donna La Mattino Pagakis October 26, 2007

Congratulations Zack, gorgeous! #4988521

Nadya Johnson October 26, 2007

Zack, this is nothing short of BREATH TAKING!! Congratulations on your winner - it's astounding, gorgeous, magical! Worth the effort, for sure! #4988951

Donna W. Neal October 27, 2007

You know what Zack, I am so glad you made that hike because now we all get to share the beauty you captured at the top.
Congratulations on a well deserved Winner #4989795

Cyn Valentine October 27, 2007

Stunning..congratulations on this great winner!! #4991006

Roger Fry October 28, 2007

Worthy winner Zack . Well done

Roger #4997084

October 31, 2007

Beautiful! #5012130

Corinne M. Thompson November 03, 2007

Congrats on your win for this beautiful scenic capture...well worth your efforts! #5022346

James Quantz Jr. November 05, 2007

Great tones! JQ #5033319

Stanley C. Sims November 07, 2007

I love this image. Big congrats on a winner. Well worth the trip. #5042028

November 13, 2007

WOW, I can't even begin to express to you how awesome this picture is..... #5069467

Melissa Wynn November 16, 2007

Awe inspring photo Zack! This would be an awesome wall sized mural. It is really gorgeous. Such vibrant colors! Congratulations on your win. Missy #5082583

Jason Mac Cormac November 19, 2007

Agree with Melissa this would look fab as giant size print on wall. The colours and location look like something not of this earth. #5097051

Mitzie Loland November 26, 2007

WoW - this photo is fantastic - I love the colors!! #5124594

Lisa R. Buffington level-classic November 26, 2007

Congrats Zack on this breathtaking scene! Love the amazing colors, clarity, composition and detail. It was worth the hike you made in there. Great work! #5125217

Cindy L. Ledsome November 26, 2007

Zack, amazing image, more than compensates for the effort!!

Cindy #5125555

Darryl Wilkinson November 27, 2007

Quite astounding, Zack! Congratulations on your efforts and well deserved recognition!! #5138127

Joy Bello April 29, 2016

Wow!!! What an awesome image!! I bet you're glad you almost killed yourself hiking up there. Congrats on your 2nd place win & all time editor's pick!! Well deserved!! #11467403

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