Dwarf Lupine and Pine Forest

This image is my first release shot with my 8x10 field camera. I had discoverred this location while on a mountain bike ride with my son, Noah. He kept me pedaling, but I took note of the location and decided to return the next evening. As I set up my 8x10 field camera, I decided to keep the camera just below eye level, giving the feeling that you can walk right into the picture. I also wanted to show the expansive degree to which the Lupine had blanketed the forest floor. I was also taken by the vibrant light green of the new needles on the young pines, especially the way they stood out against the dark bark of the larger trees. I waited until the moment the sun sank behind the mountains to the left of the frame to expose the film. This gave a nice even and rich light to the scene without the harsh contrast of direct light in the forest. As with most of my large format work, after standing back and feeling "invited" into the composition, the fine detail brings an intimate mood to the scene. Welcome to my home in the forest!