Moenave Sculpture

Gallery: LandscapePosted September 7, 2011424 views24 comments

The Moenave sandstone formation of the Colorado Plateau is a relatively soft sandstone layer that lends itself well to being intrically sculpted by eons of wind driven sandstorms and sporadic deluges of rain and snow.
Layers of gypsum from arid periods of time lend this particular formation some beautiful white striations that interlace with the red/purple sandstone.

To my eye, this is one of the most memorable of Nature's sculptures in a land of harsh beauty.
I would like to thank my friends Isa & Steffen Synnatschke, writers, photographers and pathfinders extraordinaire, for helping me locate this natural beauty.

Any suggestions for a b&w neophyte greatly appreciated!

Canon 5DII w/24-105 lens @ 40mm
1/60 sec. @ f16 ISO 100

Comments

24 comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on September 7, 2011 at 7:52 PM

John,

The crispness and clarity here are just fantastic. What a wild and fascinating formation you've showcased here. I think the b&w conversion is top notch and a great choice. The clouds are a perfect compliment to the overall scene.

I would have thought yours was a result of some advance b&w processor - not a neophyte! Well done!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on September 7, 2011 at 8:19 PM

Stunning B&W John. The detail and contrast in the larger view is spectacular! I love your comp and the rising monolith! The contrast and detail is perfect.

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

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on September 7, 2011 at 8:42 PM

Excellent detail John. Your first beginning as bw, welcome aboard. Great job and even more impressive is the monolith. What a sight. Heck of a find.

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on September 7, 2011 at 9:41 PM

Stunning work, John. The patterns and shapes of this formation are incredible. Great B&W process. The clouds also help a lot. It's really a monument of nature's beauty.

Registered on April 28, 2011, 38 Posts, 733 Comments

Comment posted by Koveh Tavakkol on September 7, 2011 at 10:12 PM

Your B&W conversion here is top notch, and I love how sharp this image is. Really beautiful photo, from comp to finish.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 41 Posts, 608 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on September 7, 2011 at 11:17 PM

I was enjoying your series posted in the regional forum. I thought this was my favorite of those. It is just fantastic! Detail and sharpness are exceptional. A very interesting formation, and great perspective too. There might be a slight halo on the right side of the sculpture? Super nice!

Chris

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on September 8, 2011 at 12:21 AM

B&W Neophyte, my behind!

Id match your monochromes against any of the best. This is just precious!

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

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on September 8, 2011 at 1:30 AM

The thumbnail definitely doesn't do this one justice, nice formations and the b&w processing looks spot on. The detail in the large version blows me away. Nice find.

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

Comment posted by Soubhik Patranabis on September 8, 2011 at 1:59 AM

Wow again !!

Registered on January 25, 2010, 54 Posts, 610 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on September 8, 2011 at 2:06 AM

If this is a "neophyte's" b/w work, I can't wait to see your b/w work in a few years as this is truly stunning. The range of tones you achieved with this image of an amazing formation, really is astounding. Fantastic.

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

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on September 8, 2011 at 4:46 AM

Awesome John...that rock is epically UNREAL!

Great processing to boot.

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

Comment posted by Sebastian Kraus on September 8, 2011 at 5:14 AM

This is the best B&W I ever EVER seen in my life! I don't like BW but if I can achive this result I will be doing only BW! Wantastic photo!

Registered on March 17, 2011, 30 Posts, 132 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Fischer on September 8, 2011 at 8:12 AM

WOW and WOW.
Great composition. Wonderful texture and lines. I've been playing with monochrom, too, but nothing like this.
Second A+ I've given today...!!!
the fisch

Registered on July 28, 2008, 155 Posts, 874 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on September 8, 2011 at 9:19 AM

Art by nature made into art by John! Exceltional image, my friend!

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

Comment posted by Joseph Rossbach on September 8, 2011 at 9:51 AM

Incredible work John

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

Comment posted by Gino Cortez on September 8, 2011 at 11:11 AM

Composition,sharpness, tonal range, and b&w conversion are all top notch! I'd love to see the color version as well!

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

Comment posted by John Mumaw on September 8, 2011 at 12:01 PM

Thanks very much for the kind words, folks!

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on September 8, 2011 at 12:58 PM

Fantastic black & white conversion here. Excellent details. Well done

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on September 8, 2011 at 2:53 PM

This is Fantastic!, John. Besides being an amazing sculpture the tones and detail are awesome.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on September 8, 2011 at 3:37 PM

Great find, comp, conversion - just a really nice shot John!

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on September 8, 2011 at 8:29 PM

Superb comp and detail John, love it! (I too am catching a halo on the right, but am on a work monitor that sometimes fools me.)

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on September 9, 2011 at 10:53 AM

Well John, this is quite a find

This is an amazing B&W conversion!

I have been very busy since the end of May to the end of August with my Whistler BC based tour business. I have spent the last 3 months with guests from around the world, showing them our temperate rainforest and local bears. I have missed being in the field! I hope to meet you later this year when I get back down to your area for the month of November!

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on September 9, 2011 at 10:52 PM

A beautiful b&w, John. What a wonderful natural sculpture. I like the grittiness of your processing to enhance the rock's textures.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Cory Freeman on September 10, 2011 at 7:50 PM

this is really nice John and great texture and tones in the fg formation. I might be the odd one out but I'd prefer less sharpening on the bg formations.

Registered on December 16, 2003, 107 Posts, 1341 Comments