Sunset in Arches

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 12, 2010214 views14 comments

A couple years ago we were in Arches and had some excellent luck with light, but horrible planning of logistics. My husband (who photographs as well) and I always wanted to be in different places! At the time of this image, I had dropped him off near Balanced Rock and I thought I had a little more time to get over to the Windows. As I was driving in that direction, the clouds parted and the sky lit up! I took the nearest pullout, found a composition where I wouldn't "bust the crust" and came up with this image.
I am really working on learning more about processing and wonder what you think! How could I improve or have I gone too far?
Thanks for looking,
Anne K.
D200, 18mm, ISO200, f/11
Photomatix HDR blend of 3 images
Thankfully, we have worked out our logistics in more recent trips!

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Barry Vangrov on December 12, 2010 at 11:19 AM

You did a good job with the blend, it looks very natural. I like the leading line composition using the branch and the sky is wonderful. The overall composition is a bit boring but it sounds like you had to grab the best you could find. This might also work as a square comp by cropping out the branch completely and focusing mostly on the sky.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 148 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on December 12, 2010 at 11:54 AM

Beautiful light. I love the curved limb in the foreground.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Stough on December 12, 2010 at 12:01 PM

A beautiful sunset and a nice job with the processing. I've used this software a lot myself and the real trick of course is maintaining that true-to-life appearance. I do think this image might benefit from some foreground cropping though which would also help to draw in those backlit monoliths.

Registered on November 20, 2010, 26 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on December 12, 2010 at 12:05 PM

Quite a good job on the blend I would say. I also like the composition - works very well with the sand and the log in the fg. There is some magenta cast which I would associate with sunset conditions, so that's fine, but it's noticable.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Lori Kincaid on December 12, 2010 at 12:31 PM

I think you did a great job on the HDR blend--very natural looking with no artificial edges. I would bump up the greens in all but the sky to reduce the magenta cast. It looks pretty strong to me, but then I've never been there. Nice work!

Lori

Registered on November 15, 2003, 90 Posts, 2033 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on December 12, 2010 at 3:13 PM

Very nice composition and mood. I do agree with the other concerning the magenta cast. Also agree that your blend work is excellent.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on December 12, 2010 at 3:28 PM

I really like how the foreground color and texture is mimicked by the sky. The log makes a keen anchor and the silouhettes add interest at the horizon. Nicely done!

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

Comment posted by Barry Ashenhurst on December 12, 2010 at 3:50 PM

For me, the magenta in the sky is believable Anne, but not in the foreground. You could desaturate that and get closer to what I imagine - from this distance - was reality. The comp suffers from a weak foreground but we've all known the situation you were in and have all done the same thing. Don't sweat it though. Just keep shootin'.

Registered on August 4, 2009, 253 Posts, 455 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on December 12, 2010 at 8:04 PM

Nice shot Anne. Overall I like the comp. As others have noted, the image does appear to have a magenta cast. Also the HDR blend appears a little bit flat to me. I might try bumping up the contrast a bit and seeing how it looks.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Anne K. Rusk on December 12, 2010 at 8:43 PM

Thanks so much for your feedback! I will work on the magenta cast in the fg and see what I come up with! I appreciate your input

Registered on October 10, 2010, 65 Posts, 904 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on December 12, 2010 at 11:31 PM

Balanced rock is just big enough to be recognizable here. My only thought might be to crop the bottom just above the sawed-off end.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 13, 2010 at 2:39 AM

Anne,

Other than the aforementioned magenta cast, I like the composition. It actually follows the rule of thirds pretty well and I find the foreground balances nicely with the sky.

Tony just touched on the only other little nit I might have and that is the branch being cut. At least it appears that it was sawed off, causing it's demise. But I think the curve of the limb works well to lead the eye back in to the image as it curves inward.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Guy Tal on December 13, 2010 at 9:14 AM

Technique looks excellent but more than that, you should be commended for seeking out unique compositions and subjects in a place that offers many iconic temptations. I like it a lot.
My one suggestion is a crop from the bottom so that the footprints and cut at the bottom of the branch are not included in the frame (realizing this "breaks" some "rules"). To my eye it creates a more cohesive composition.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Arild Heitmann on December 15, 2010 at 3:59 AM

Gorgeous light!

Registered on October 13, 2010, 27 Posts, 378 Comments