March of the Ancients + repost

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 18, 2010224 views17 comments

Bisti Wilderness, NM

Please view the large version as I think it is different than the 700.

I apologize for lack of participation lately. My hard drive failed last week and I've been putting together the pieces ever since...

This was captured several weeks ago on my way to Colorado. Heavy cloud cover foiled sunset and this image was captured just a little bit after sunrise. These clouds started to turn, but never fully lit up with color.

Hopefully the sharpening looks good, I had to redo all my CS4 actions. It's like reprogramming your cell phone...

5DMk2
28-70
GND

Thanks so much.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on October 18, 2010 at 2:37 PM

Boy you sure got lucky with those clouds, they are perfect! I love how they mirror the foreground eggs. The left portion of the image doesn't do much - I think it becomes a stronger comp as a square crop of the right.

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

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on October 18, 2010 at 3:12 PM

Michael, I think the light is pretty darn perfect. I'm glad you were able to get some nice light on the background to warm up the image a bit. It would have been nice to have one of those rock formations in the left corner. I agree with Floris here. Nice work.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on October 18, 2010 at 3:15 PM

This is really cool!! Great take on the place. Excellent sky and really fine comp to go with it.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Good on October 18, 2010 at 3:32 PM

I've always wanted to visit this area and seeing this makes me want to do it all the more. Love the way the cloud patterns mirror the rocks shapes below. The large version really sings... beautiful work!

Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on October 18, 2010 at 4:14 PM

Perfect sky for the eggs, this place is a must-stop on the way to Colorado. I can sympathize with the hard drive issues - just finished with a few of my own

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on October 18, 2010 at 4:53 PM

Stunning, awesome light and clouds, love the crisp details throughout. I'm not as engaged with the left side perhaps more of a square or vertical presentation would be better. The sky is epic, no need for it to fully light up.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 18, 2010 at 5:40 PM

Boy, the large version is a must with this one. This is great, Michael. Love all the shapes here. I especially like the background hills with all the lines and nice light. Beautiful sky too.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on October 18, 2010 at 6:20 PM

Trippy scene Michael. Interesting foreground that sort of leads you into the light on the hills. Cool clouds too.

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on October 18, 2010 at 8:30 PM

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on October 18, 2010 at 8:59 PM

I appreciate everyone's feedback. I personally like the cryptobiotic soil on the left and the lines it creates so instead of the crop I lightened that area and added more color. Let me know if you like this better....

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Paolo De Faveri on October 18, 2010 at 9:13 PM

The larger image you provided is incredibly sharp, there's a whole lot to like here. I've checked out the repost and I think I prefer the original as it features much better contrast and depth. A square crop is certainly an option, but actually I like it as you posted it.

Paolo

Registered on August 29, 2007, 318 Posts, 1651 Comments

Comment posted by Mathieu Hoareau on October 19, 2010 at 1:04 AM

Hello Michael,

what a beautiful light to background also foreground, these formations are strange

and each colors are marvellous... I checked the large version, wow I was speechless.. Absolutely pleasant

Registered on July 9, 2010, 4 Posts, 120 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on October 19, 2010 at 9:28 AM

The large version is spectacular. I have no problem with it at all, however I could see how it might seem just a little heavy on the left due to the dark soil and shadows. In that case, the repost is an improvement, but not drastically so. Excellent image either way.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 19, 2010 at 10:41 AM

The rocks seem to be migrating.

All following the leader into the background. Nicely composed and exposed.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 19, 2010 at 10:46 AM

A beautiful capture Michael. Lovely sky in particular, and the fresh morning light on the more distant landscape is wonderful. I like this as presented - the 2nd version being better than the first. Such an interesting and feature rich area.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on October 19, 2010 at 7:49 PM

Michael,

This is a beautiful crafted and captured landscape from Bisti. One of the better wide views I've seen come across here. I don't think you could have requested a more perfect sky! And the last light hitting the scene is a beautiful touch.

No nits or suggestions.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on October 20, 2010 at 10:12 PM

I think this is one of the nicest images from there I have seen. It is definately one of the best comps, IMO. The onlt thing this is lacking is some dramatic intense light. When you don't have that, why not go with some nice clouds and softer light. Works just about as good if you ask me.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments