• The land does slope down a bit here, so exact symmetry over here is not possible!
  • I put this dead-center in the photograph (horizontally) and a little below the center (vertically.)
  • There is a lot of movement here. No need to learn how to paint when 30 seconds of light and leaf motion can do it for you!
  • There is a bit of the mountains behind here.
  • The leaves on the vines are just coming out.
  • A little soft light on the green hills in the distance adds some depth.
  • There is always some compromise to be made in a symmetrical photo like this, or for example under a pier. Rarely are things symmetrical so you have to move around to get the most important things in line. That meant that the bottom is not perfect!
  • I wanted this tree to be the same distance from the edge of the frame as the one on the right side. So I could not shoot in the exact middle of the asymmetric road!
  • Lots of movement here too.
  • Right above here is the top of the mountain so I zoomed in to avoid that distraction that will show up in the winter shot!
  • i like the shadow patterns here - tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp
  • something beautiful is not always have to be something perfect - tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp
  • did you put STOP sign for other cars to not to passing this road? - tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp
  • i like it, it look mysterious - tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp
  • love the shadows! - Dene' Miles
  • the trees are sooo beautiful in the large version! - joαnnα.bαnαnα ☮

Vineyard Lane, Spring - Napa Valley California

This unmarked lane in the Napa Valley in California's wine country makes me wonder who lives down there and what sort of wine do they produce! 30-second exposure, no HDR.

Free wallpaper for over 100 of my images in 6 different screen sizes is now available!

Please see the 1200 pixel version for the full softened effect of 30 seconds at midday!
www.flickr.com/photos/patrick-smith-photography/456699353...

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Settings etc.:
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Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 24-105L @97
Hoya NDX400 (9-stop dark circular ND filter)
30-second exposure @F13
LEE soft ND grad (100x150mm - 4x6in) 0.9
Lee foundation kit filter holder with Lee 77mm adapter ring
Small Slik tripod, Manfrotto pistol-grip ball head (the best!)
No polarizer.
ISO 50
RAW file processed with Capture One by Phase One
TIFF file processed with Photoshop
No water shoes or bare feet required!

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The Story
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A temporary break from the seascapes...

I am not sure where this leads, but this is the first in a series that will cover each of the 4 seasons in the Northern Hemisphere, because the leaves will turn Red in late November and then be bare for a couple of months until spring in February or early March. it will look different each time.

I was heading up the Napa valley on a warm day last weekend, when I was once again FORCED to stop and take a shot. Well, actually I waited for the sun to almost go down behind the hills to get warmer light, then I took the verrrrry long shot through the large automatic gate! The leaves moving in the breeze softened the look of the trees for a more impressionistic look and feel. During daylight hours, you have to do something extra to avoid a photo looking like a snapshot. Actually, this would look better with a wet street, but the dry season that lasts until November will make that difficult to pull off!

The map shows exactly where this is. It is right off the road, but no easy parking is available. And make sure nowone is driving towards you!

See my Flickr profile for a link to my newly designed website.
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Resources:
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Google Earth
earth.google.com/

Simply the best way to scout out locations that there is. You can see sun angles and pre-visualize light under lots of different conditions. Sometimes you can actually pre-compose your shots! This has saved me many thousands of vertical feet of climbing by avoiding spots with blocked views etc.

Satellite imagery (choose 'National' for a local US region or use your fave website)
www.wrh.noaa.gov/satellite/?wfo=mtr

Tide charting and preditions: (chose your area in US, other countries have similar websites)
tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions.shtml?gid=235

Wave Heights (I choose 'North Pacific from Global')
polar.ncep.noaa.gov/waves/main_int.html
Or Here:
www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/shtml/RP1bw.gif

Photos of every inch of the California coastline from a small plane. Excellent for close in detailed views.

www.californiacoastline.org/

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.

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    schramcrackers, alan guido, PhotoguyPhotography, Raf Ferreira, and 719 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. schramcrackers (37 months ago | reply)

    oh my this is so beautiful
    the composition is spot-on

  3. GILVANDRO GURGEL "Vera re te" ♦ AUSENTE ♦ (37 months ago | reply)

    Fantástica fotografia e sensacional perspectiva. Parabéns!!!

  4. GILVANDRO GURGEL "Vera re te" ♦ AUSENTE ♦ (37 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Grupo Em PERSPECTIVA. - Group In Perspective. (Invite only), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  5. SergioMonsalve (37 months ago | reply)

    I wonder what kind of picture you can make if your drove through this.
    like in your other driving picture.

    neat picture, I love the composition.

  6. *Jonina* (37 months ago | reply)

    Very beautiful.

  7. Gary Ngo | Photography (37 months ago | reply)

    That's where (Napa) I'm heading in late June/early July! And hopefully you'll have time for a workshop too!
    --
    Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)

  8. Jesse Bissette (37 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful! Those greens are gorgeous; it's weird to see you post one that's not a seascape.

  9. PatrickSmithPhotography (37 months ago | reply)

    Thanks for your comments. Late June is better than July I think.

    Good question Sergio. Too bad the gate is locked!

    Patrick

  10. datnguyen1018 (37 months ago | reply)

    great shot, excellent!

  11. sunrizr (37 months ago | reply)

    very nice feeling...

  12. jeffwc00 (37 months ago | reply)

    All around outstanding.

  13. fourdollared [deleted] (37 months ago | reply)

    So beautiful!

  14. alan guido (37 months ago | reply)

    wonderful capture

  15. Sherralee (37 months ago | reply)

    Exquisite.

  16. rjseg1 (37 months ago | reply)

    Based on your geotag, this seems to be near the Niebaum Coppola vineyard.

  17. Fionn Luk (37 months ago | reply)

    Wow amazing perspective!! Very beautiful, wonderful colors

  18. LifeLover4 (37 months ago | reply)

    Very beautiful. We have had the greenest spring in a long time!

  19. Raf Ferreira (37 months ago | reply)

    this is a beauty my friend

    --
    Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)

  20. Harry2010 (37 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful! very beautiful, indeed!

  21. PhotoguyPhotography (37 months ago | reply)

    This is beautiful! Like the road to an enchanted forest!

  22. Dave Berryman (37 months ago | reply)

    This really does look like a vineyard. Nice DOV.

  23. -spacegoat- (37 months ago | reply)

    awesome vanishing point. really like the symmetry and colours.

  24. *Martu* (37 months ago | reply)

    amazing! true art!

  25. Gustavo Estevez (37 months ago | reply)

    Una toma impecable!
    Bellísima!
    --
    Seen on your photo stream. ( ?² )

  26. kevincole (37 months ago | reply)

    Nicely done, beautifully processed.

  27. D Breezy - davidthompsonphotography.com (37 months ago | reply)

    I like the the vanishing point, makes me wonder whats at the end. nice colors. very nice.

  28. ilkin. (37 months ago | reply)

    Excellent capture! Very well done...

  29. ayashok photography (37 months ago | reply)

    lovely lights

  30. Sayran [deleted] (37 months ago | reply)

    Love the symmetry and the vanishing piont, those greens are gorgeous. Great shot Patrick. Lauren

  31. www.visualjourneysstudios.com (37 months ago | reply)

    Wow, stunning!

  32. Raymond Larose (37 months ago | reply)

    Great positioning to grab this row of trees. Outstanding.

  33. A Sutanto (37 months ago | reply)

    Very nice!

  34. Sam0123 (37 months ago | reply)

    Wonderful depth!

  35. joe defao (37 months ago | reply)

    That's a really cool shot! It must be viewed large to fully appreciate it. The painterly effect of the moving trees is great, and so it the vanishing point.

  36. izzy's-photos (37 months ago | reply)

    Wonderful light, and fantastic exposure!! I never thought of using a long exposure to purposely blur the leaves, its an idea I might try!!

  37. Samyra Serin (37 months ago | reply)

    Gorgeous colors & light!
    Thanks for explicative notes.

    --
    Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)

  38. kalsnchats (37 months ago | reply)

    glorious shot!

  39. ©Helminadia Ranford(New York) (37 months ago | reply)

    wow...amazing Perspective and composition Patrick....
    beautiful Green.....

  40. tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp (37 months ago | reply)

    Your signature green color :) Not perfectly symmetry but for me personally i like it like this..looks very natural. And i feel like im on the scene. Love it in large size!

    I'm going to the beach now for practicing..the sun look great, but i don't see nice clouds. No more cliff shots..i cannot stop laughing read your notes! LOL
    Have a nice weekend Mr. 2x4 ^_^

  41. alexandros9 (37 months ago | reply)

    lovely capture!

  42. Xindaan (37 months ago | reply)

    Very nice composition.
    --
    Seen in my contacts' photos. ( ?² )

  43. Through Bri`s Lens (37 months ago | reply)

    Love the composition Patrick, nice soft motion on the upper leaves too.

    Brian

  44. rvanr (37 months ago | reply)

    Very nice, light, summery, holiday, travel atmosphere. Does not look like a near sunset time shot. The green dominates the warm light. I like it.

  45. Pawel Tomaszewicz (37 months ago | reply)

    great compo
    --
    Seen in my contacts' photos. ( ?² )

  46. » madelyn (37 months ago | reply)

    Wowieee, incredible. I love how you add notes explaining your shots, it's really helpful and interesting to read. As for the photo itself, magnificent light, colours, composition and atmosphere :)

  47. © Saleh AlRashaid / www.Salehphotography.net (37 months ago | reply)

    Lovely Compostition and Angle
    love he Contrast here Patrick....

  48. Foto.Bloke (37 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Étude ~ by Admin invitation ~ P1/A 2, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

    Superb image!

  49. Saad Al-Enezi (37 months ago | reply)

    Awesome Depth!

  50. sminky_pinky100 (In and Out) (37 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Our Memories, Our Times, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

    Takes me right back to France last year, so many scenes like these as we were driving around wine country.

  51. Rebecca812 (37 months ago | reply)

    Gorgeous!

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