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Towers of the Virgin
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Towers of the Virgin

by Sean Bagshaw

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 11, 2009521 views25 comments
It looks like everyone went to Zion this fall. Good year to be there in my opinion. I heard some people complain about the fall color, but I was happy to trade a little of that for the amazing light we had. This sunrise on the Towers of the Virgin came the morning after a stunning sunset. I think we had about six mornings or evenings like this in about a week's time.

This is a three image stitch with the 5DII so it should look good really big. I also did a 5 vertical image pano that morning which will go even bigger :biggrin: The sky in this image was better however. Check out the larger image for a hint at the detail.

5D Mark II, 24-105mm IS L, polarizer, three images stitched, all shot at 13 sec @ f/14, ISO 100

Comments

25 comments
Comment posted by Marc Adamus on November 11, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I considered it, but then I thought everyone's going to be at Zion this fall. This is the classic of all classics IMO. Very nice. The sky color seems a tad too much on the magenta-side if you ask me, and I do like magentas.
Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments
Comment posted by Sean Bagshaw on November 11, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Thanks Marc...you're right. The original file certainly has a very strong magenta component and, as you know, when that's your starting point your brain gets acclimated to it and pretends it looks balanced. I tried to done down the magenta a bit. How does this second version compare?
Registered on February 14, 2007, 99 Posts, 479 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on November 11, 2009 at 12:00 PM
I didn't think it was too magenta until I saw the second, which looks better. Awesome conditions, definitely getting me excited for my trip. Large image looks great.
Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 11, 2009 at 12:11 PM
The one fall I don't go to Zion and it's the best light ever. I've yet to have a good sunset/sunrise there. This looks real good. Glad you were there to take advantage of it.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Bohlander on November 11, 2009 at 12:12 PM
I like the 2nd version better as well. Great take on this -- really enjoying the sky you got here. Must be amazing detail in the 5 vertical image version!
Registered on August 22, 2008, 14 Posts, 125 Comments
Comment posted by Joshua Hardin on November 11, 2009 at 12:28 PM
A lot of Zion shots this year, but very few with light like this. One of the best renditions of this scene I've viewed. Nicely done.
Registered on July 29, 2006, 40 Posts, 414 Comments
Comment posted by Cory Freeman on November 11, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Looks really good Sean, with the second one that much better.
Registered on December 16, 2003, 107 Posts, 1341 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on November 11, 2009 at 12:46 PM
This has wonderful light and color Sean. I do like the 2nd post best. This is going to look gorgeous printed large.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on November 11, 2009 at 12:52 PM
That's one gorgeous sky!
Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments
Comment posted by Andreas Resch on November 11, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Lovely shot, Sean. The long exposure works great on the clouds. While the magenta still works on the clouds, I find a bit too strong in the shadows of the mountains.
EDIT: Saw the second version too late. I like that one better - it looks more natural.
Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments
Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on November 11, 2009 at 2:00 PM
this is lovely
Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments
Comment posted by David Cobb on November 11, 2009 at 2:22 PM
The second works for me Sean, that was a great light show and your pano captures it perfectly.

David M. Cobb
Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments
Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on November 11, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Gorgeous light and color. Beautiful work Sean.
John
Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on November 11, 2009 at 2:30 PM
That's some crazy color man! Great pano :toast:
Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments
Comment posted by Matthew Jellings on November 11, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Wow, the I love how the cliff face is just subtly glowing in the early dawn light, beautiful pink cloud drift. I think the desert shrubs on the RHS are a tad dark, beautiful photo though.
Registered on November 1, 2009, 8 Posts, 97 Comments
Comment posted by Will Campbell on November 11, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Awesome sky. I like the repost better. Gorgeous shot!
Registered on July 4, 2007, 38 Posts, 281 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on November 11, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Beautiful light indeed Sean. This is gorgeous.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Erik Stensland on November 11, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Spectacular Sean! You really hit the jackpot with lighting! Great image all around!
Registered on September 27, 2004, 121 Posts, 718 Comments
Comment posted by Daniel Ewert on November 11, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Love the color, Sean. Beautiful scene.
Registered on June 2, 2009, 103 Posts, 1500 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Wegemann on November 11, 2009 at 8:48 PM
This is a beauty, Sean. Thanks for posting the larger version too.
Registered on December 14, 2006, 58 Posts, 1888 Comments
Comment posted by Kent Mearig on November 11, 2009 at 9:04 PM
I didn't go to Zion this fall, and good grief, this photo is causing me to seriously question why I have not yet moved to Springdale. What a place; what a morning!

The second version of the image looks awesomely better.
Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments
Comment posted by Scott Fricke on November 11, 2009 at 9:05 PM
You came away with a real stunner Sean. I like the motion in the clouds and the nice subtle colors on the Towers. Very well done. Your second post looks much better.
Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 11, 2009 at 10:43 PM
The repost helps the luminosity increas even more. Wonderful light, color, and comp.
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Art Escobado on November 11, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Excellent image, nice composition, and great cloud coverage!
Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments
Comment posted by Carlos Molina on November 12, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Sean, truly amazing light. Like your 2nd. rendition better, beautiful sky and the compo can't get any better.
Registered on March 17, 2009, 40 Posts, 393 Comments