Monsoon Light + REPOST

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 10, 2011131 views9 comments

Hey all,

Its been a while since I did any photography. Haven't done much so far this year. I've been concentrating more on school and other parts of my life. Fortunately its summer now and the monsoon season is here. So I am slowly getting back in the game.

Last night we had some crazy clouds and thunderstorm activity. I went out to shoot sunset near the Saguaro Lake area. This shot was taken from a road that was made for off-road vehicles. Lets just say that my puny corolla barely made it. As sunset happened I was running around trying to find some interesting foreground, but ended up using this cactus. There was some crazy light. That's four peaks in the back.

I also did a long exposure which I have posted below. Not sure which one I prefer more. you guys have any preference?

Canon 5D II
Canon 24-105mm
f/22
2.5sec
Some contrast adjustments using Viveza 2.

Thanks for you feedback!

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Chikku Baiju on July 10, 2011 at 4:40 PM

Here is the long exposure version.

Canon 5D II
Canon 24-105mm
f/22
5mins
Hoya NDX 400 (9 stop ND)

Registered on January 9, 2010, 31 Posts, 246 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on July 10, 2011 at 4:42 PM

The outstanding background drama really makes this work. Nice shot!

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on July 10, 2011 at 5:52 PM

Some great cloud action! Of the two--i definitely prefer the first. However, i find the silhouette problematic here--if feels 'blocky' or overly heavy to me--i think this would have been stronger if i could see the base of the saguaro to connect it to the landscape; as presented its almost distracting.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on July 10, 2011 at 8:34 PM

Weird and wonderful light, Chikku. I agree with Stan that the cactus looks a bit contrived, like it was just there for this picture, but it certainly creates a nice sense of place, and the image would not be as good without it.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on July 10, 2011 at 9:54 PM

That is crazy, but cool. Nice work. I like the shorter exposure.

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

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on July 10, 2011 at 10:12 PM

Chikku, I prefer the first rather than the second longer ss, and also wish the base of the cactus were not cut off. My eye is drawn to the left side of the image with Four Peaks to the left of the saguaro.

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Roane on July 10, 2011 at 10:32 PM

totally awesome sky in the first one, which I prefer over the second. As far as the cactus, it is a great foreground element. However, I would also like to see the bottom, and I would also prefer either more detail in the cactus (perhaps a slight bit of fill flash), or have both the cactus and land in total silhouette with no detail.

Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments

Comment posted by Sarah Marino on July 10, 2011 at 11:18 PM

Hi Chikku - I really like the first image. The texture in the clouds is great. I also do not think that the cactus looks contrived and like in in semi-silhouette. I like the clouds in the second image, but definitely prefer the first image overall.

Registered on November 10, 2008, 23 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Chikku Baiju on July 10, 2011 at 11:57 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys. Really appreciate it. After looking at it more I also feel like the base should be there. I dont know why I had initially cropped off the bottom, but here is a version with the base and the cactus brightened up a bit to reduce the silhouette problem. Its looks a bit better to me, let me know if this works better.

Registered on January 9, 2010, 31 Posts, 246 Comments