Backlit Hoodoos

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 13, 2010760 views32 comments

Hey all,

Here's another image from NE Arizona. As I approached this scene, I immediately envisioned backlit layers with the sun providing an almost mystical glow over everything. I'm not sure if I accomplished exactly that (the "mystical" part), but I'm still fairly pleased with the results.

The sun is not far above the frame here, and I used my hand to shade the lens in order to prevent any flare. Most frames resulted in half my finger in the shot, but I lucked out with hand placement in this one.

The foreground was much too prominent in the original, so I cropped to 4x5. It still may be too prominent to some. I'm still unsure of how I feel about the foreground.

Canon 40D
Tokina 12-24 @24mm
f11
1/30 sec
TK's luminosity painting to balance shadowed areas with the bright foreground

I appreciate any comments or critique!

Check LARGE version!!

Comments

32 comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on May 13, 2010 at 8:57 AM

Joel, I really like the hues present in this image.
It's a busy scene with lots to look at.
I would love to shoot a location like this. I imagine the number of possibilities is staggering.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on May 13, 2010 at 9:02 AM

Awesome image, Joel, even better than your last one. I love the backlighting and your composition, especially the distant layers. Excellent job on preventing flare.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on May 13, 2010 at 9:22 AM

Gorgeous shot Joel, I'd say you achieved your vision of creating and mystical image, at least to me anyway. I love the backlight and beautiful glow. Well done.

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Justin Peterson on May 13, 2010 at 9:41 AM

Joel,

I like this just as much as the horizontal one you posted the other day. Terrific job on the processing...it's gorgeous!

Registered on January 20, 2008, 33 Posts, 298 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on May 13, 2010 at 9:50 AM

Wow! I am impressed, Joel. Comp and colors are really strong here and the light is perfect. Is this an exposure blended image? I really like all the color and texture in the sunlit areas. Outstanding all around.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Martin W. Quinn on May 13, 2010 at 10:15 AM

Very nice scene lots of texture and great light. You did a good job with a very high contrast scene.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 28 Posts, 189 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on May 13, 2010 at 10:29 AM

Creative image Joel, wonderful comp and I really enjoy the colors and light. It's a fun image to spend some time in. Nice work.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on May 13, 2010 at 11:34 AM

Incredible light and colors Joel, this is awesome! It is a wee bit bottom heavy, but with the sun where it was that may have been hard to overcome - perhaps a horizontal 4x5 could have worked? Man that is one beautiful place!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Rossbach on May 13, 2010 at 11:47 AM

Coalmine is awesome and you nailed a great image Joel, well done man!!!

Registered on November 25, 2005, 484 Posts, 1377 Comments

Comment posted by Joel Hazelton on May 13, 2010 at 1:01 PM

Thanks for the comments all!

Tony- This is not a blend... Just a single exposure with some dodging in the shadowed areas.

Floris- I considered a horizontal 4x5, but I really didn't want to crop so much off the original file. I wanted to be able to print it to a decent size if I ever felt the desire to do so.

Registered on August 6, 2008, 194 Posts, 1315 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on May 13, 2010 at 1:14 PM

The FG is certainly not too strong for me - love it as is. Beautiful light and wonderful subtle color.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on May 13, 2010 at 2:33 PM

exquisite image. you nailed it!

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Adrian Klein on May 13, 2010 at 3:37 PM

The light is just super fantastic. You did very well comp and processing wise to me. I would not change a thing. Print it large and admire this fine piece!

Registered on June 10, 2007, 112 Posts, 1506 Comments

Comment posted by Mohsen Al-Dajani on May 13, 2010 at 3:43 PM

really beautiful, well done Joel.

Registered on August 23, 2007, 160 Posts, 432 Comments

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on May 13, 2010 at 4:29 PM

Lovely shot. I believe I would try to selectively darken the FG a bit.

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by Anish Desai on May 13, 2010 at 4:48 PM

Awesome light! Great job managing the exposure considering the conditions, and great use of backlight. Compositionally, I would favor it without the sharp drop off along the foreground left as the resulting dark left hand border throws the balance off for me.

Registered on May 23, 2009, 49 Posts, 410 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on May 13, 2010 at 6:34 PM

Just when I think you posted the 'best image I've ever seen from this place', you post this gem.
Aside from the excellent composition, sweet, sweet backlighting and great overall scene, I love the light on that foreground finger...esp. the reflected light near the tip!
This doesn't need cropping at all, IMO. It's just perfect the way it is.
When Tony K. calls an image outstanding, then you know you have something very special.

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on May 13, 2010 at 8:00 PM

Don't change a thing on this one. And it is magical.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on May 13, 2010 at 8:45 PM

What a fun place to photograph. I love the demanding light here Joel.
Great job

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on May 13, 2010 at 9:20 PM

Mystical glow?...I think you nailed it. And I like the foreground too. Awesome in every way.

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on May 13, 2010 at 10:30 PM

The light and varying hues of color are out of this world!

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on May 13, 2010 at 11:28 PM

The "BLACK" adds depth creating more of a visual 3D experience for the viewer but you already know that Joel, that is why you did it. I think the Hazelton stock is going up again.

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on May 14, 2010 at 1:45 AM

Another amazing shot from that location. I can't decide which one I like better.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on May 14, 2010 at 11:27 AM

Awesome!

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Joel Hazelton on May 14, 2010 at 12:05 PM

Thanks again for all the feedback!

Registered on August 6, 2008, 194 Posts, 1315 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on May 14, 2010 at 2:40 PM

Dude, this is sweet. Well done!

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Kayne on May 14, 2010 at 10:13 PM

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on May 15, 2010 at 4:13 PM

That light is nuts. Enjoy the scene. I wonder if you have any shots focused on the top section alone to capture the light filtering in.

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 18, 2010 at 10:01 PM

wonderful image - congrats on a fine EP!
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Joel Hazelton on May 19, 2010 at 3:00 AM

Sweet! Thanks a million for the EP!

Registered on August 6, 2008, 194 Posts, 1315 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on May 19, 2010 at 11:50 AM

Congratulations on your EP, Joel!
Nicely done

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on May 28, 2010 at 10:53 AM

Joel,
Congrats on your weekly pick! I thought of this image as I drove past Coal Mine this week.

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments