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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Jul 26, 2007 - 11:47pm PT
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when do we get to see pics of the climb Misha?
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Misha
Trad climber
Woodside, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 26, 2007 - 11:56pm PT
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Pics of the climb were taken by my partner (yes, I left the camera behind that day - hard to believe:)
I will post a few of them this weekend!
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Doug Robinson
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Jul 27, 2007 - 12:04am PT
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OK, notes on both saturation and Palisades backside climbing routes:
This thread has been a really iteresting follow-on to the one Jerry referenced where we got into deconstructing Galen. Between these two threads you guys have changed my mind. You've convinced me that all photography is tweaked to varying degrees, and that's what art is. Nice work, thanks!
So Misha, while suspecting a little extra saturation, I really liked your prints. Especially #4 which is the steepest, most unusual view of Isosceles Pk I've ever seen. And #5. I like the wide lens pulling the foreground down and into my face. I like the way you used the split neutral density there to pull up the soft light foreground and balance the big light beyond. It works well for me. Yes, it is the most Galen-esque of the lot, but I stuck with you and was convinced, in part because you didn't cross my saturation line. Cool stuff!
Oh, and I have developed a trick for carrying too much gear (gotta have it for basecamp trips). Pack two packs. I would WAY rather carry two 40# loads than one crusher. I carry one for awhile, then drop it in the bushes and go back down. Legs and back get a complete change-of-pace rest by going downhill. Yo-yo up the second pack. Repeat until basecamp.
Confession: I've never climbed anything from that side of the Palisades (except scrambling up Agassiz from Bishop Pass). For decades I've wanted to, especially those routes on Winchell. Someday... (For what it's worth, a persistent part of that dream is to ski in from South Lake mid-May. Climbing on those south faces [it's not really West] would be on warm rock, with perfect corn instead of talus for approaches and descents.)
And there's a mystery to chew on. Don Jensen did one or two routes on that side of Winchell. Not recorded anywhere, his topos have been lost and my memory after 40 years is a sieve. His excited descriptions have leaked away. But I suspect that he actually did the route you climbed as much as 10 years before Warren and Galen. Or something nearby. Checking to see if it will jar my memory is just one more reason to climb them. Also to see more of your photos!
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Blitzo
Social climber
Earth
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Jul 27, 2007 - 12:11am PT
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Awesome!
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JOEY.F
Social climber
sebastopol
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Jul 31, 2007 - 12:25am PT
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Beauty, Beautifully recorded!
Thank you.
Joe.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Jul 31, 2007 - 01:09am PT
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I thought the shots were awesome. Really impressed at getting such stunners on the same trip.
Photographed images are such a different experience that seeing things with our own eyes because of the wildly interpretive function of our brains. Think about it, our brain spins two different upside down images rightside up and combines them into one image. It's crazy. Reality looks so much more vivid and immediate in person, how do we simulate that on paper? Maybe saturation is a way of bringing that out, maybe it can go too far.
Still, if I were you, a few of those would be iconic images for me that I'd print ridiculously large and hang prominently
I'd always bring a quality point and shoot for the climb. The surest way to see bigfoot is leave the camera on the ground.
peace
Karl
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NoRushNoMore
climber
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Jul 31, 2007 - 06:37am PT
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Misha, since you are asking for a feedback:
Your pics feel a bit too saturated and a bit too dark for me.
Kind of like Lahaina Art gallery marine world paintings. Eye candy but very un-real.
You can also try for a few more vertical elements in the composition. Think that of the half dome face or dark outline of the pine tree or simply part of the shoreline.
Water reflections get boring quickly and bring too much symmetry to the pics. I would try chasing unusual effects (flash, blur, etc) versus mere mirror images.
At last it feels as some of the images have too much included in them distracting from the main subject that's already interesting enough to command more presence.
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Misha
Trad climber
Woodside, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2007 - 01:24am PT
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At last I posted some photos from the actual climb. All of them belong to my climbing partner, Pavel Kovar, who carried the camera that day.
On a separate note, thanks for all the comments and critique. I am always looking for ways to improve my photography and your constructive feedback is extremely valuable!
West Arete of Mt. Winchell
Grade III-IV, 5.9 (our opinion)
This is the route the way we climbed it
Looking up the first roped up pitch after scrambling a few hundred feet on 3rd to 5th class. We went up and left (felt close to 5.9)
Exposed traversing on the lower half of the route
On the middle section of the route where it eases up a bit and becomes more exposed
One of the classic knife-edges that we encountered along the way
Peek-a-boo
Approaching the top of the route where it intersects with NW Ridge
On the descent, we had to drop down on the other side of the mountain and go over Winchell Col in order to reach our base camp in Dusy Basin
Final challenge for the day - rappel on the western side of Winchell Col
Misha
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rhyang
Ice climber
SJC
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Sweet-looking route ! Congrats Misha and Pavel !
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CAMNOTCLIMB
Trad climber
novato ca
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Great Photos... I have got to get back to the mountains
Brian
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wack-N-dangle
Gym climber
the ground up
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Stunning photos. Thanks for sharing.
My 2 cents: please consider it a donation, but then it's really not costing me anything.
Make the images you want. Sell the ones people like. I admire your gracious acceptance of the feedback you received. Maybe that was easier because it appears that you obviously understand your process.
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TYeary
Mountain climber
Calif.
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Misha,
Keep chasing your vision and refineing your process and your style will emerge. I loved your shots. Yes, they look abit bit like a "Rowell", but it's hard not to. I see some Fiddler there as well. It's OK. If we see so far , it's because we stand on the shoulders of giants. More or less. And thats OK too. Keep defining/refining yourself through your photography and your work will be automaticaly be distilled into a distinct, personalized style, that will be recognised as yours- your personal interpetation of the beautiful world that we live in.
Tony
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wack-N-dangle
Gym climber
the ground up
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"I admire your gracious acceptance of the feedback you received. Maybe that was easier because it appears that you obviously understand your process."
Afterward, I considered that I should have added: Maybe its easier to accept the "criticism" because of the people/"giants" on this forum that offer it.
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Maysho
climber
Truckee, CA
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Beautiful shots, and I learned some new things about photography by the feedback dialogue in this thread. I love the West side of the Palisades. Once I solo skate skied from Taboose Pass to South Lake taking the high line right under those spectacular faces. As Doug said you can really cruise when the talus is covered up. Your shots are an inspiration to get back there and climb something! Thanks.
Peter
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Jerry Dodrill
climber
Bodega, CA
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I was thinking about this too. You have such a refreshing spirit Misha. It's easy to get defensive about your art work, but in the end, the ego is getting in the way of opportunities for improvement. In this dialog, I'm impressed with your detachment from ego and obvious enthusiasm for the mountains which is expressed through your creative vision with photography. You must have a very balanced sense of self.
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wack-N-dangle
Gym climber
the ground up
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Thinking more about art:
Misha, the images really pop. For me, the colors elicit enthusiasm, and an instantaneous synaptic response. It seems cool too because that response is the motivation I sometimes need in order to get to the places that often refresh me.
I liked Jerry's interpretation of your photo. I see more detail in the talus in the (smaller) unsaturated image (on a computer screen). It made me consider the work and time that was required to make the image.
Finally, I don't know if you need anymore inspiration. However, two artists I admire are Lee Miller, and Georgia O'keefe. Also, I would print the type from Tyeary et al. and put it on my refrigerator. Sometimes iconoclasts provide a vision, maybe an illusion, no one expects.
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Misha
Trad climber
Woodside, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 6, 2007 - 04:28pm PT
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You guys are very kind. Thank you for your advice, encouragement and support.
wack-N-dangle wrote "Maybe its easier to accept the "criticism" because of the people/"giants" on this forum that offer it."
It probably is easier. However, over the years I discovered (sometimes, the hard way) that receiving and taking to heart *constructive* feedback from ANYBODY who is willing to offer it is an extremely valuable tool for one's development. Receiving accolades and kudos is great and rewarding, but it is criticism from which I learn best. IMHO, starting to get defensive about genuine and good hearted opinions accomplishes nothing positive. At the end of the day, I am pragmatic. Sharing my photos with other people is one of the major reasons why I photograph. If I don't listen to what others think about my work, I would take a lot longer to improve my skills. I would also disrespect the time that these people put into responding to my work. I don't want that to happen, ever.
Yesterday, right around sunset, I flew over Dusy Basin on the way home from Vegas. It is an incredible sight from 30,000'.
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climbera5
Trad climber
Sacramento
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Fantastic shots Misha! Now you have me interested in knowing how to get more out of my Rebel XT. Any suggestions on resources so I can learn more?
Thanks again for posting. Its an inspiration.
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diggler
Mountain climber
Oaktown, CA
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Beaut' pics, Misha (like usual). Looks like a sick ridge! You should give the Fishhook Arete a try- looks similar, & an amazing climb (obviously a little more crowded :)
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freeforfall
Trad climber
Auburn, CA
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yeah, great shots, just ease off on the photoshop a bit
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