Clouds and Ruins

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted May 11, 201186 views6 comments

I took this image at Aztec Ruins (NM) on a bright mid-morning. A formation of clouds was developing and, as I watched, the bottoms began to pull apart and making them appear like so many cotton balls. I heavily polarized the image to both add detail to the sand colored ruins as well as to take advantage of the unusual sky. I normally don't bring out my camera at this time of day but the clouds formation, which didn't last long, was too much of a temptation.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on May 11, 2011 at 5:49 PM

interesting clouds indeed! I think you handled the light well, and might try and tone down the foreground just a tad if it were mine
did you get any with a closer perspective of the ruins? I'm asking because the immediate foreground isn't that strong for me

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

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on May 11, 2011 at 7:18 PM

I always enjoy those clouds. This would make a good B&W, maybe even something with Sepia tone considering the mood set by the old ruins. I'm going to move this over to the Man and Nature gallery since the hand of man is obvious here.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on May 11, 2011 at 7:23 PM

Hi Arthur - Nice view here. Since these are ruins (hand of man) I am sure it will be moved to M&N. Nice lines in the foreground but the light seems harsh. Have you tried burning it down at all?

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 11, 2011 at 9:59 PM

This is classic mid-day light. It emphasizes the colors and contrast. It's perfect for those clouds with the whispy tendril of evaporating falling water. The darkness in the sky and how it changes looks like you were using a polarizer. It would help to have the blues at the top more blue than black. Polarizers are both great and dangerous. Especially out west where there's little moisture in the air, you can over use a polarizer. It often works well to adjust the angle a bit to get some of the enhancement without getting nearly black skies. Overall, this is a nice picture with good composition.

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

Comment posted by Jeff Bushnell on May 12, 2011 at 1:49 AM

I really like the clouds! also like the strong color contrasts.

Registered on April 3, 2011, 20 Posts, 122 Comments

Comment posted by Merle Cook on May 12, 2011 at 9:08 AM

Very nice handling of the bright light. I like the ruins from the lr leading into the shot and the clouds don't hurt it one bit. Great shot of the tendrils dropping out.

Registered on July 15, 2007, 27 Posts, 140 Comments