Desert Flow

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 21, 2011297 views19 comments

Sunrise last Thursday at Joshua Tree National Park. Pretty much the best light I had during my three days at the park. The clouds did turn pink. This was about 5 minutes later...after the light showed up on the rocks. To give you an idea of scale - the Joshua Tree in the center frame was about 25 feet tall.
Two shot blend at 73mm.

Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate it.
Large version included for better detail.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on February 21, 2011 at 3:02 PM

Gorgeous. One of the most beautiful pictures I have been from this place.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 21, 2011 at 3:45 PM

This lokks like a fascinating Place Michael. I've seen pix of JTNP before, but never with these wonderful rocks in them. The clouds add a lot to the image too, but the light is the real star here. Really, no nits at all from me.

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 21, 2011 at 3:58 PM

Based on this picture, it looks like waiting to get some light on the rocks was a great decision. Here you've got both great color in the sky and on the rocks. This is terrific.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 21, 2011 at 4:48 PM

This is beautiful Michael. The light and color on those rocks is fantastic. Great clouds too. Really enjoyed looking at the large version. Very nice work.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on February 21, 2011 at 5:03 PM

Sweet shot from Joshua Tree, Michael! I agree, it's one of the nicer comps and scenes I've seen from there too. The light is really nice here, All around great image. My kind of comp too!

Chris

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 21, 2011 at 5:11 PM

The balance of light is much better in the large version. And the kiss of sunrise light on the rocks and cacti is especially nice. An inviting landscape that begs to be explored.

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

Comment posted by Barry Vangrov on February 21, 2011 at 5:51 PM

Good work, Michael. I love the center cloud "swirl" that almost looks like a funnel cloud forming.

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

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on February 21, 2011 at 9:38 PM

Beautiful light and composition. NICE.

- Dan

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 21, 2011 at 9:43 PM

Very nice image, Michael. The blending works great with these clouds.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 21, 2011 at 10:53 PM

Hi Michael

The sunlight on the rocks is marvelous, You captured the rock formations beautifully, Great work.

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on February 21, 2011 at 10:58 PM

The light gracing the rocks is beautiful, Michael. As is the whole image. The large version is incredible. Really like the perspective you chose and the use of the longer lens.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Hespenheide on February 22, 2011 at 2:20 AM

Michael,

It's really hard to get good clouds in J-Tree; you've done a nice job of both capturing them and making sure the tonal range is good overall.

The highlights on the boulders, though, look too dark to me. Some of the warm tones there are darker than the sands in the foreground. I know the sand is light, but it feels "off".

Registered on August 14, 2010, 3 Posts, 61 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on February 22, 2011 at 9:45 AM

Beautiful image, Michael. Crisp with great light. Very interesting and appealing landscape. Love this!

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by Bret Edge on February 22, 2011 at 6:58 PM

This is friggin' sweet, Michael. Really love the clouds and the killer light.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments

Comment posted by Pam Colander on February 22, 2011 at 6:59 PM

This is to die for! Feels like I could walk right into the large version.

Registered on December 7, 2006, 210 Posts, 1062 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 22, 2011 at 8:52 PM

Nice one, Michael! Great job on the blend--looks perfect. I kind of wish there was a stronger fg subject--maybe a closer tree--buy this works as an overview of the landscape as well.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Joel Hazelton on February 23, 2011 at 1:44 PM

Beautiful image, Michael. The large version is great!

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

Comment posted by Justin Reznick on February 23, 2011 at 9:16 PM

I love the wide angle treatment here Michael. A really fascinating combination of elements with fantastic light to top it off. One of my favorite from Joshua Tree!

Registered on November 24, 2009, 79 Posts, 515 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on February 24, 2011 at 1:18 AM

Thanks everyone for their comments. I really appreciate.
Mark - I understand where you are coming from and I appreciate the feedback. The desert has more contrast in it than the highlights in the rocks. I didn't want it to appear overcooked. I'll experiment with lightening the highlights just a bit.
Stan - I totally agree with you. I have a tighter version of this shot that works even better as a comp. Unfortunatley, I didn't pan up for a panaram and the sky is a bit tight. I might consider processing and posting though...
Thanks everyone else for your supportive comments. It is very helpful and encouraging.

Michael

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