Lens-Artists Challenge #312 – Sense of Scale
For this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge, Sofia guided us with these words:
“When trying to convey a sense of scale, one of the easiest ways to do so is by having something that we all know the size of. Using people in the shot is one of them, as we can compare both sizes.”
Having a sense of scale helps viewers experience the grand scene before their eyes. Take, for example, a grand landscape scene. They are expansive, awe-inspiring scenes of nature that capture the vastness and beauty of the earth. However, you may miss how expansive that scene is if you don’t have a sense of scale. Typical examples of grand landscape images feature dramatic elements like mountains, oceans, deserts, or forests, and they aim to evoke a sense of wonder and scale.
For this post, I focused on a well-known national park in the USA: Yosemite NP. I will let the images speak for themselves.
This is one of those images that you will likely have to enlarge to see people on top of the Half Done. Those tiny specs you see on the top toward the edge are people.
One of the most leisurely walks in the park, Mirror Lake is fantastic, especially for the peaceful reflections you see. Can you find the human in the photo?
Mariposa Grove is another great walk in that park. We feel tiny under that impressive canopy of approximately 500 Giant Sequoias trees (Sequoiadendron giganteum). The oldest sequoias are estimated to be thousands of years old.
For this next image of El Capitán, I had to capture a second photo with my zoom lens. That confirmed what we thought we had seen from the valley floor. Can you spot the two climbers’ groups in the close-up photo?
One of the most popular hikes in Yosemite is the one to Vernal Fall. We did that hike by going up via the Mist Trail and returning via the John Muir Trail. It is a strenuous and dangerous hike because the rocks are constantly wet. If you use the Mist Trail, your hike will be 2.4 mi (3.9 km) to the top of Vernal Fall. There is an elevation gain of 1000 ft (300 m). The year we were there, a hiker had slipped and fallen to his death. We saw signs along the trail as constant reminders to keep our eyes on the trail. We had to stop whenever we wanted to look at the views. The first two photos in the next set were captured on the Mist Trail. The third photo was from the John Muir Trail. In that photo, you may spot people on the edge of a cliff by the falls.
In closing, I will share Yosemite Falls. The image you see is only the base of the falls. Yosemite Falls drops 2,425 ft. (740 m) in three different sections: the upper fall, middle cascades, and lower fall. Here, you can have a sense of scale with the people who are in awe of this waterfall.
Last week, Ann-Christine’s challenge was What’s in a Garden? I saw terrific galleries, from personal gardens to world gems. Your responses were varied and beautiful.
This week, Sofia brings us the importance of scale in our photos. She provides lots of ideas and beautiful images, as always. I can hardly wait to see your responses. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when responding to it so we can easily find it in the Reader.
John will return with a new challenge next Saturday at noon EDT in the USA. Stay tuned. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
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Anne Sandler
Egidio, I’m so glad you used Yosemite. Just standing in the valley, you get a sense of awe at the mighty granite around you. Wonderful images.
Egidio Leitao
Anne, I’m thankful for this comment. Much gratitude.
Tina Schell
Amazing Egidio – I can’t believe how tiny the people are in your images – how in heaven’s name did you ever see them in the first place?! Gorgeous landscapes.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Tina. The Half Dome was easy. I know there are always people going up there (there’s a lottery system to sign up for it). As for El Capitán, we were on the valley floor taking a break and looking at the mountain. The red color caught our eyes. Thanks again.
Khürt Williams
These landscapes are captivating, Egídio.
Egidio Leitao
I’m thankful for your kind words.
Rupali
Amazing response Egidio. Clear explanation and fantastic images.
Egidio Leitao
Rupali, I’m happy you liked it. Thank you very much for these words.
Sofia Alves
Glorious! I love every single one of them, perfect in their own right and even more so as illustrations for this theme. The title is spot on too. Thank you, Egídio.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Sofia, for this wonderful challenge and your kind words here.
Ana
Wonderful images, love your post!!!
Egidio Leitao
Ana, that’s very kind of you. Thank you so much.
Teresa
Oh wow, Egidio, such wonderful images for this week.
Egidio Leitao
Teresa, I’m happy you liked the images and post. Thank you.
philosophy through photography
Great clicks Egidio.
Love the Mirror Lake!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Philo. That is a magical place.
philosophy through photography
Indeed!
You are welcome, Egidio.
Wandering Dawgs
Wow, these are all perfect for the challenge. Yes, I found the people on the top of Half Dome!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much. I’m happy you liked the post and photos.
Sylvia Bacon
Egidio, beautiful pictures, as always. I especially like the image of Climbers on El Capitán, gorgeous details!!
Egidio Leitao
Sylvia, many thanks for the feedback.
Anita
Very impressive photos Egídio!! Magnificent natural sceneries that really shows the smallness of man. Wow!!
Egidio Leitao
Anita, I am thankful for your kind words. So happy you liked the post.
Toonsarah
Fantastic work! These images really do show the scale of the features in Yosemite and how small we all are in comparison 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Isn’t that true! Thank you so much, Sarah, for writing these kind words.
sandyjwhite
Nature’s scale is a great reminder of how small we really are!
Egidio Leitao
You said it best! Thanks for the comment, Sandy.
sandyjwhite
My pleasure, Egidio.
margaret21
What a good idea, to focus on this iconic park. My son and family are off to the US this week, and I think Yosemite is on their list. This post is a great introduction ( and no, I couldn’t find the climbers on El Capitan).
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Margaret. Your feedback was so nice. On the second photo of El Capitán, just look for the little red speck near the bright spot on the rock. That’s a climber. Then, right below that one, near the black section on the rock, there’s another group.
margaret21
Ah, finally got it! WOW!
JohnRH
Beautiful photos Egidio. Quite the place!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a bunch, John.
Rebecca Cuningham
Great examples of scale, especially Mariposa Grove.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much for the compliment, Rebecca. I appreciate it.
Rebecca Cuningham
I joined the Lens Artist challenge this week : )
Egidio Leitao
Yes, I just saw it. Great entry!
Rebecca Cuningham
Obrigada!
Egidio Leitao
De nada.
Marie
Such a magical place. It has been years since I visited. Your photos brought back lovely memories.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the comments, Marie.
Leanne Cole
These are incredible Egidio. I love them all, can’t pick a favourite.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much for the feedback, Leanne.
pattimoed
Wonderful images, Egidio! Really gorgeous landscapes and great examples of scale. Fabulous.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Patti.
solaner
Very nice, Egídio. I love your redwood 👍👍👍👍
Egidio Leitao
André, many thanks for your kind feedback. I appreciated it.
solaner
Well deserved
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Fabulous images and perspectives Egidio! I wouldn’t be able to do the scarier hikes and am grateful to enjoy these magnificent sceneries through your lens too 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Xenia. I never felt like doing the Half Dome. That is one scary hike.
PR
Amazing shots, Egidio 🙂.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, PR.
Leya
Yes, we are all small in nature and its wonders – so gloriously shown in your images. This is a wonderful post, Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Ann-Christine.
Lens-ArtistPC24-312-Sense-of-Scale – WoollyMuses
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