Colorful Sandstone (Repost)

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 9, 201180 views8 comments

Sandstone outcrop along the Seven Hollows trail in the Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas.

I'm not enough of a geologist to know what minerals must have been trapped in this sandstone to produce all these colors, but I sure like the result.

Nikon D700; Nikkor 24-85 @56; 1/25s @f/5.6, -0.33, ISO 200, tripod

Comments and criticisms always welcome.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on May 9, 2011 at 4:52 PM

A lovely blend of subtle color. I really like the granular detail. Overall, the image feels a bit flat to me. Perhaps some levels adjustment or unsharp mask to give the shadows a bit more depth?

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on May 9, 2011 at 9:08 PM

I like all of the textures, color, and contours in this, David. A little more DOF here would have been more ideal as I do find myself wishing that the sandstone in the upper left hand corner was in sharp focus. Otherwise, this is a very compelling abstract.

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 9, 2011 at 9:50 PM

Very nice colors and textures and in Arkansas no less. Having tried quite a few of these types of "rock abstracts" I know how challenging it is. My suggestion here is to burn in (darken) that upper left corner. I think that will reduce the tendency to look at it and notice the softness and it will emphasize the strong diagonal flow in the rest of the image. That diagonal and the colors and textures running from the lower left to upper right corners is really attractive.

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

Comment posted by David Schwaegler on May 9, 2011 at 9:50 PM

Thanks for your comment, Brian. I have alternate images with more depth of field, but I felt the OOF section added depth.

Registered on December 4, 2003, 232 Posts, 1652 Comments

Comment posted by David Schwaegler on May 9, 2011 at 9:59 PM

Thanks for your comment, Mark. I agree with you. I have burned that section, but darkening it even more should help me achieve the dimensionality I'm after.

Registered on December 4, 2003, 232 Posts, 1652 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on May 10, 2011 at 7:45 AM

beautiful as is, David, or you could try just a tad more midtone contrast.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on May 10, 2011 at 9:25 AM

Wonderful colors and textures, David. My thought might be to try to lower the exposure a bit to bring out these qualities.

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

Comment posted by David Schwaegler on May 10, 2011 at 11:17 AM

I very much appreciate all your comments. Here's a repost that incorporates your suggestions.

Registered on December 4, 2003, 232 Posts, 1652 Comments