Desert Teardrop

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 4, 2011474 views26 comments

Many potholes ('tanks') in the sandstone of the Colorado Plateau have been replenished thanks to a relatively wet monsoonal summer. Taken high atop a nearly inaccessible mesa in SE Utah.
Thanks to my pals at the RMNP forum for helping me optimize this one!
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Canon 5DII w/17-40 lens @ 29mm
1/30 sec. @ f16 ISO 100

Comments

26 comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on April 4, 2011 at 8:50 AM

Beautiful composition and processing, John. I love the light on the background formations.

Guy

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

Comment posted by Ian Plant on April 4, 2011 at 9:13 AM

sweet one dude - a perfectly balanced comp.The progression of elements from the teardrop, to the background rocks, to the clouds in the sky, all work perfectly to lead the eye through the image

Registered on July 7, 2008, 271 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Neale Dyster on April 4, 2011 at 9:34 AM

Heartily agree with whats already been said! Excellent

Registered on February 19, 2008, 94 Posts, 738 Comments

Comment posted by Gino Cortez on April 4, 2011 at 10:52 AM

The near/far diagonal perpective is nicely complimented by the gorgeous light.Very Nice!

Registered on November 23, 2010, 57 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by Cristina Strudthof on April 4, 2011 at 11:37 AM

Very Nice. I like how the tear drop points you to the background scene.

Registered on January 14, 2011, 53 Posts, 363 Comments

Comment posted by Grant Collier on April 4, 2011 at 11:55 AM

All this is missing a cute model lying in the water! Looks like you nailed the processing this time... Only suggestion I can think of is that it might be worthwhile be to go back someday if it looks like there could be some more dramatic clouds... I'll bring the model if you guide me there.

Registered on July 29, 2005, 73 Posts, 430 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on April 4, 2011 at 2:46 PM

I love water 'tanks'.. but this is probably one of the nicest ones out there! Excellent light here - there's so much depth. I do with the tank were a little more centered, and if possible slightly more blue in the tank water.

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

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on April 4, 2011 at 3:12 PM

Very nice shot, John. This is a goregous location and you did it justice. No nits from me. Is this the so-called "delta pool"?

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on April 4, 2011 at 3:38 PM

Excellent choice of composition, the unique elements in the scene complement each other nicely.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on April 4, 2011 at 5:10 PM

wonderful John

would to see it in B&W with high contrast

well done bro

Hamed

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Kruse on April 4, 2011 at 5:13 PM

The composition is great and the light on landscape in the background is great. I wondering if you could find another time with a bit light into the foreground with the water. The side lighting leaves much of the foreground in shadow.

Registered on March 24, 2011, 17 Posts, 44 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on April 4, 2011 at 5:28 PM

Oh... John... You are that guy I emailed back and forth with about the SW right (quite a while back)? If so forgive me for forgetting! LOL. I have been in your territory a lot lately!

This kicks tail. Very nice use of shape and composition. I think it soars as is, but is such a nice comp I'd be tempted to shoot it more for even more ideal lighting.

Mark

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on April 4, 2011 at 6:15 PM

Looks good, John. Can't think of anything I'd change.

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

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on April 4, 2011 at 6:42 PM

Very well done, John. Great capture!

Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on April 4, 2011 at 7:00 PM

Well, here is another one you nailed! Outstanding image in all respects.

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

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on April 4, 2011 at 7:09 PM

Interesting light on this one John. I like it much. Looks like an amazing place to explore.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on April 4, 2011 at 7:18 PM

Everything comes together wonderfully John. I particularly like the warm light in the distance and cooler light in the shadows.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Rossbach on April 4, 2011 at 7:50 PM

Stunning work John!

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

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on April 4, 2011 at 8:23 PM

Cool shot here, John. I like the mix of contrasting shapes, textures and colors. Also, the composition of the formations leads my eye nicely through the frame.

By the way, thanks for responding to my question on RMNP!!

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on April 4, 2011 at 9:46 PM

Very cool. Could make for a tasty b/w too! :)

aF

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

Comment posted by Jeff Hackett on April 4, 2011 at 9:52 PM

This is damn good John! Nice work all around.

Registered on March 13, 2006, 65 Posts, 1119 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on April 4, 2011 at 11:56 PM

Your techs and comps are always right on. This is really a great comp, imo. Love the light too. I was going to suggest a little more pop, but it is there in the large version. What could make this better, imo is some reflection of the blue sky, and clouds in the pool.

Chris

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

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on April 5, 2011 at 11:59 AM

Excellent shot, John. No nits whatsoever.

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 5, 2011 at 8:43 PM

No suggestions. This is just fabulous, cool rock formation, terrific light, great composition. It's one of my favorite parts of the USA, but I haven't been able to get there for over 10 years...maybe soon.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on April 6, 2011 at 3:47 PM

I love the composition, textures and light here...I would maybe tone down the brightest brights on the buttes

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Ropelato on April 8, 2011 at 1:02 PM

Very strong composition here. Love all the lines.

Registered on March 1, 2011, 25 Posts, 204 Comments