Outstanding!!! Great metering of the light. I would like to know what you used to scan this.

Metered with a Seconics L-508 Scanned with a Screen 1015AI drum Scanner.

Splendid! Anna

Awesome.....!

When I come to the States, Crystal Mill is OFF the agenda. There is no way I could take such a magnificent shot. The real reason is that it's too far to walk. Comparing the b&w version with this one, I prefer this one. The colours give a degree of separation to the elements, expanding the shot. Truly wonderful shot.

This technically is probably better than the b&w version. Colors, focus, etc. superb. This is postcard (maybe not what you wanted to hear) pretty, while the b&w version is a little moodier and engages the eye longer. In wine terms, the b&w has a very long finish, like a good, ten-year-old cabernet, while this a superb chardonnay: attractive, pleasing, but finishes quicker. Back to the b&w version--after further study, I'd look at that channel mixing/filtering/ and/or unsharp mask. Some of the highlights might need to be toned down a bit. Still, I prefer it to the color version, as good as it is.

I agree with Robert Brown. This is wonderful, but the black and white is more original and has a true lasting value. I prefer the B&W. Cheers.

A cliche, superbly done. Excellent composition, light, color and tone. A classic image.

Thanks for giving us the color version. This is great but the B&W is REALLY GREAT!

great to see a scenic get high marks. I hope to get out west someday soon; this one has been on my list . . . best version I've seen so far.

That's better! My eye is appeased. This is a glorious landscape. Well done.

Truly wonderful picture. When I saw the small thumbnail I could not make out what was the water doing in the bottom... I find it one of the best landscape / scenery pics I have ever seen! And it's soooo sharp...

WOW! This is just a tremendous shot. My compliments on being "near-idiot" enough to get the shot. The color brought out in this photo is spectacular . . . much more color than I would have expected in the rocks. What type of enhancements did you make? The processing was absolutely marvelous. Keep up the good work! (By the way, rated the originality as only average, but the scale for aesthetics just doesn't go high enough for this one!)

you are indeed an idiot! only a true idiot drives a 82 landcruiser! those are just so awesome vehicles! and your picture makes me wanna be an idiot and drive up here as well!great work!

outstanding photograph. love the detail you have giving us about the location.

I think I can die now....

Wonderful picture !

The BEST !!

Great location. the photo is awesome..color or black and white

It does have that poster quality but still a great shot..

Absolutely beautiful! Great exposure.

THis shot is simply wicked and the story is great too!

Hey Bobby, Boy, this one really takes me back!!! I went to Colorado Outward Bound during the summer of 1970 and saw this on the way out to our 26 day adventure and on the way back. I can't believe that this mill still stands. I went back a couple of times and have seen photos of it now and then as well. I believe I saw it laminated in a plastic place mat somewhere (hence Miles' comment on cliche'). This is a great shot and would have to agree with Marc, B & W is a powerful way to do this shot but the color version is pure eye candy. Love 'em both...... Tragically, on the way out on my 26 day trek with 8 other outward bounders and an instructor we encountered one of those people you refere to as idiots. This guy took his whole family up Scolfield Pass. He stopped to drop the Travelall(that's an early version of the Suburban only it was by International) into a lower gear and when he let the clutch out the beast got away from him and went over the steep embankment you described. We assisted the county sheriff and the forest service in the recovery of 9 out of 11 passengers. I think one man lived the others were not so lucky. Two were not recovered at all. I am sorry if this isn't the typical PS crit but on a more possitive note I would just say I am glad I had the opportunity to see that area and I would highly recomment going with a good trail guide, "jeep tours" if you venture into that area. There are incredible wilderness areas on the other side of Scolfield, Pittsburgh Basin, Gothic and if Scolfield sounds treacherous Gunsight Pass will really give you religion. Good work Bobby, (You idiot!), Brad

Great shot

I too have seen this kind of shots before, but never done as well as this one. Makes me want to go there despite the apparent dangers of the 4x4 road.

Excellent, very good.

Beautiful! Color best. Looks like a painting.

Trully amazing! but I like B&W version better...

Stunning photo.

Simply Gorgeous! Another well deserved pat on the back.

Amazing work... Looks more intese than the B+W...but I would prefer not to compare both....

Bobby: I haven't driven into Lead King since the mid 80s. We used to see ordinary sedans sitting in the pullout at the mill. Has the road deteriorated that much? It didn't used to get very rough until past the town of Crystal.

That's a lot of water action in the river so the snow must have been melting pretty fast from that last storm. Nice timing on your part as the water had to be low up until lately.

This one is definitely deserving of all the accolades. A very popular site done very well indeed!

I'm not convinced this is as great an image as many of you suggest. It's a rather straightforward documentation of an extraordinary place. And there are elements of distraction. Each corner of the image has certain distractions (i.e. merging elements, blown out highlights) and I find myself thinking as pretty as this image is it needs more work to become something I would ever give consideration for my wall. As a postcard or calendar image... great. But that's where most cliche images go.

I guess, having looked at a lot of landscape photography, I'd be more impressed with something more originally conceived and carefully considered in terms of every detail of composition and exposure (including post-processing considerations such as dodging and burning a final print). I find this an even more relevent consideration when photographing with a 4x5 because you have the possibility of creating magnificently large sharp prints.

The road is pretty bad just to get to the mill I think that the amount of ATV, Motorcycle & 4X4 traffic has increased making the road worse than it may have been before, It was muddy and raining the day I went and any thing but a 4 wheel drive would not have made it. (I was lucky to get a shot the clouds only broke for 10 minutes or so)

Hard for me to ever give 7 so I'll say 6.5 on both areas... Excellent shot, I like the color version but the BW works very well too.

Superb. Rich. Beautiful.

I guess because of my bias toward B&W I like the B&W image more, but they are both mind-blowing pictures. This is stuff I can only dream about doing. This is something to be truly proud of. Great work.

Great Work!!

This is a beautiful landscape. The color version I prefer. NICE work.

Don't know what to say except WOW!! Now I want a large format.

Excellent! I am at awe! Now Bobby, your camera and gears belongs to mine! :-)

Excellent.

Hi Bobby, thanks to share this jewel with us ! Really a beauty ! Stunning one ! Julien

Excellent Work - and worth the "life risking" to get it. Simply amazing......

Hi Bobby

Nice detail. Thanks for your comment, I am part owner of a 1976 Toyota Landcruiser, and think it's perfectly ok to be called crazy!

Re: Doug's comment. While this image as seen here could certainly use a smidgen of dodging and burning to fine tune it, I stand by my claim that this is an exceptional shot of this location. I've seen over 30 images taken here. Two of which were taken by icons of american landscape photography who shall remain nameless. This has the best overall lighting and composition of them all. A properly tweeked 24x30 print should be exceptional. If anyone can link us to a better one anywhere, I for one would love to see it.

Serendipitous location...I have slides of this old mill I took when I drove there in 1975. This was before construction of the new roof and other rehabilitation done to preserve this site. Your photograph reminded me of my experiences including continuing part way up Scofield Pass in my 75 Bronco. The fall colors you captured, plus the slow shutter speed, dramatize your image, and make it a viewing pleasure. Nice work.

Very good composition!

I've been returning about once a day to "visit" this photo. It's simply wonderful.

That shot is truly gorgeous. For those of us who enjoy photos for the pure joy and are not technically nitpicky I love this shot!

It's a very, very, very good shoot.

Very very nice shot. Beautiful!

So which contributed more to the photo, the 4x4 or the 4x5? Great image.

As I commented on the B&W version , I think the color version is easier on the eyes. The b&w version is very sharp and hard. The color is more homogeneous. In either case it's a beautiful landscape and a well done image. Nice work! Having been an old LandCruiser driver, I understand your commentary - I think I would have preferred to hike there though. :)

i didnt like this at first because for some reason i was just like, 'im not gonna pay this photo much attention' i guess cause i have this large sterotype of photos that have similar blue sky and similarly yellowish green trees, AH!!! i know what it is, ok there is this huge huge huge blown up picture in this house im in about once a week, the picture is of some mountains in the background, a nice lake, and then this nasty ugly tree with the same greenish-yellow leaves, the trunk of the tree has overexposed areas, the right side of the picture is underexposed, the mountains do not stand out at all, they just blend into the drab pale blue sky, and the absolute worst part about this is: its blown up on the wall to i would guess a 4x6 FOOT, not inches, FEET!!! print. gross dude. i dread having to look at it. ok so that has ruined my experience except after i read your story and comments of others [it has gotten many comments] i decided to actually look at this photo for more than a split-second. im glad i did. nice, verrry nice. beautiful, and it was worth my time to write this long boring comment, in order to hopefully show you that despite such terrible influences [that large ugly photo i am forced to look at on a weekly basis] i appreciate this one for the pretty sky, trees, water, and the rustic, secluded feeling it gives. nice job!!!

Maybe the people that own the nasty 4x6 foot print would like to buy some real photography, I would be glad to sell them a signed 30x40" print of the mill for $150.00 + shipping and handling. Or maybe you could sell them some of your stuff, show it to um they might like it any thing must be better than the slop they already have on the wall.

I like this color version MUCH better. Lovely!!

A gem of an image! Yes, there's a whole genre of shots like this, but that's because people love them.

Technically perfect shot. I love the scenery too.

Excellent, excellent shot bobby! Looking at this, I can really get the feeling I am right there. You did a great job capturing the rugged landscape and the old mill while keeping a crisp, clean feeling overall. I would have preffered a little front rise to sqare up the mill, but you were probably at max with a 65mm and vertical composition. The entire pic is razor sharp from corner to corner. Keep up the good work!

It,s a fantastic photo.Everithing is perfect...

Outstanding.

I love the picture and the fact that you must have gone through so much effort to carry your 5x4 camera into the wilderness. I first saw this exact shot in a book called 'THE ART OF COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY' by Roger Hicks (Tiger Books International) in 1991, of course the trees are not so tall, and I would have loved the chance to have reproduced it as well. Still, a great image.

Extra!

I didnt think anyone else on this planet knew about the crystal mill. Marble and Crystal are two of my favorite places in this state! Glad to see another photographer who knows the lesser known areas of Maroon Bells. I will have some photos here pretty quick of Beaver Lake. It is starting to melt up there! Exciting. Fantastic shot, I love the colors and the whole scene is FANTASTIC. Great Metering!

Very nice colors!!!

I am taken by the shear beauty of the shot! Its natures own with mans artful additions and effort to become one with nature. Most breath taking and amazingly individually asthetic photo yet! Bravo!!!

WOW! outstanding shot! I have came back to this photo several times and seem to love it more every time. Good Job!

Perfect

This picture is so perfect that I feel I'm right in it.

This photo is right up there with the best ever.

This is a heck of a shot. Everything is perfect.

Perfect shot!

keeping proportions, this is so 'thomas kinkade'...

Not boring at all

Absolutely gorgeous!

When I saw this photograph I knew why I wanted to throw my 35mm kit in the trash... This has to be one of the most outstanding photographs I've seen ever! This just a fantastic scene which I can look at for hours!

Yep its orgasmic!

Now I want to go there for certain and see it for myself, someday... and its ok I like hiking! (as long as its not all uphill!)

Very Stunning and colorful !

great

One of the most beautiful photo here, bravo!!

no comments .............10/10

love it love it love it love it .....

I used to live in Crested Butte and this was (of course!) one of my favorite spots to go! Oh the fun! This was back in '79 - '83, and I have to say the old mill is looking better than ever! Thanks for the magnificent photo and for directing me on a great trip down memory lane!

An excellent shot. I haven't even looked at the B&W version yet, but I find it hard to believe it could be more interesting than this colour version. I think the colour is much more relevant considering the natural elements. To me this picture 80% nature, with 20% depicting man's attempt to harness that nature. The one thing I keep coming back to is the focal length used. I believe the profile listed a 65mm lens. It's probably just the proportions of the scale of the mill vs. the opening of the falls in the foreground, but I sense a wow-effect that suggests to me a much wider angle was used.....say 24 or 28mm lens. This perception really increases the interest in the picture for me. Excellent shot.

It was shot with a 65mm on 4"x5" film. 65mm lens on 4x5 is like a 20mm lens on 35mm film.

Great! Great! Very Good! Aah!

im not suggesting that you ripped this image off but i have seen this exact image in a calender from dreamscapescalenders reported to have been taken by a peter mukherjee . i cant remember what years calender it was in but i am absolutly certain that it was this shot. contact me at martinstott@ntlworld.com and i`ll give you more details as to why im certain of my facts

As good as color landscapes get.As Louis Armstrong would sing,"oh yeh".

just saw the same shot in "photographic" magazine pg 40 June 2004. the one in the magazine reads "bob lilly". same guy, different last name, or just popular place to take a picture?

Oh my my my my myyy!! Speachless...

What the.....
Is it a photo or painting???

A bunch of you need to read this. . . .

I have a shot - several, actually - of the Glade Creek Grist Mill in Babcock state park in West Virginia, THE most popular photography spot in the state.. I'm familiar with the exact location of the tripod and the framing that makes for the best composition (not that others aren't also OK). I'm sure there are thousands of versions of exactly the same shot, keeping in mind that slight differences in weather (lighting), exposure, and film choice would make for subtle differences - but so would how it would be printed in a publication.

I seem to recall that Bobby has reported that this is the most popular photography subject in Colorado. I would expect to see a lot of prints of this subject that look pretty much the same as this, along with quite a few that don't quite measure up.

Bobby, you are a incredible photographer,