Morrison Formation

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 1, 2011436 views32 comments

This is an image taken in the Morrison Formation of southern Utah. It was an overcast day with flat light and no shadows. While I've boosted saturation and contrast somewhat, I tried to do so in a manner that retains the impression of a soft-light situation.

I like working with abstract subjects, but this place kept making me look up from the viewfinder to get my bearings. The lines and layers sort of got mixed up in the small frame. I tried several variations hoping one would work.

In developing the image, I wanted to enhance this sense of uncertainty. I burned and dodged in a way that hopefully added ambiguity to the scene, rather than clarifying what was here. I'm pretty sure the subject will be recognizable, but I also hope it will be a bit unclear and not instantly obvious. Your thoughts and suggestions would appreciated.

5D2, 28-300@119, f/16, 1/40

Comments

32 comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 1, 2011 at 12:17 AM

Beautiful abstract Tony. I love the subtle colors and wonderful lines. A little different from you with the muted colors.

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

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on October 1, 2011 at 12:29 AM

This is really intriguing Tony, the kind of image that keeps you looking, always finding new ways to see it. I love the uncertainty about the scale, intimate detail or grand design. It can be whatever the viewer chooses. Very creative, nicely crafted.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on October 1, 2011 at 1:01 AM

Fascinating Tony. Your abstracts are quite unique. I love how you make use of available light to accentuate the subject into art.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on October 1, 2011 at 3:13 AM

For a moment tony ..I thought its a painting ...well done ..beautiful abstract..

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on October 1, 2011 at 3:21 AM

Nice abstract, Tony! I like the layers/depth, and the sat looks perfect to me for this subject. Personally, i've gotten a bit burned out on abstracts, cause i've shot so many of sand that i start to crave a bug or rodent or something--anything!--crossing the frame. But im sure that's just another phase im going through which soon will pass...

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

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on October 1, 2011 at 3:57 AM

Great abstract image. I like the colors, light, lines and layers and the depth in this shot.Well done

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

Comment posted by Sebastian Kraus on October 1, 2011 at 5:34 AM

Another fantastic work...

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on October 1, 2011 at 10:23 AM

Very nice. I like the folds and the shaly texture (don't see any of the shark teeth the morrison is famous for though). There's a flow to this that adds energy. Interesting and engaging

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Basil Greber on October 1, 2011 at 11:35 AM

This one has your name written all over it. Excellent abstract. I like the color palette you've used.

Registered on November 8, 2005, 219 Posts, 1340 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on October 1, 2011 at 1:06 PM

Tony, good choice to frame this vertically to get all the wonderful folds and interesting mix of colors. I really dig abstracts like this. Looks like psychedelic chocolate pudding. Excellent processing as might be expected. Well executed!

I go out to southern Utah every spring, so I'm curious to know where this is.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on October 1, 2011 at 1:22 PM

Tony, I like the light and colors, but what really gets me is the texture. That is where the feel of the image comes from IMO. As always a superb subject with great processing. Love it!

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 1, 2011 at 1:56 PM

Texture galore, Tony! Great colors, excellent comp. An understated beauty.

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

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on October 1, 2011 at 2:35 PM

This is excellent Tony much like the Painted Hills of Oregon.

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

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on October 1, 2011 at 2:59 PM

this is kuyperstract

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

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on October 1, 2011 at 4:14 PM

If I wasn't familiar with your other work this would perhaps be a bit more of a puzzle, but I think I understand what I'm seeing here. Either way, it's a tremendous shot and the colors/textures are spectacular. Composition also works quite well and gives this a very coherent feel.

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on October 1, 2011 at 4:29 PM

Lovely abstract, Tony. I particularly like the two pairs of competing diagonals. The color and tonality look great.

Nicely done!

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Abdullaziz Bin Ali on October 2, 2011 at 12:21 AM

Tony, the KING

Registered on May 31, 2009, 112 Posts, 1590 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on October 2, 2011 at 12:25 AM

Very creative Tony. I really like the lines and colors........ in the fg especially.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on October 2, 2011 at 10:21 AM

I love the subtle colors throughout, TK. What a cool formation. Looks like some giant surf to me!

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on October 2, 2011 at 12:01 PM

This is amazing Tony, the subject is certainly not clear to me but that's one of the reasons I love this. All the curves and colours make this a fantastic abstract.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on October 2, 2011 at 1:52 PM

A beautiful image, Tony -- from capture to final presentation. Not having seen the place myself, I am not sure what you did but in my opinion none of that really matters. What I see in this presentation is a great abstract with stunning curves, color and texture. Right up there with the best of your work.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on October 2, 2011 at 3:21 PM

Tony, I enjoy that sense of flow you captured in this image. The grainy texture just makes the difference for me. I also appreciate the interesting play with light and colors.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on October 2, 2011 at 8:39 PM

Tony,

Quite late in getting to this, but I just had to say if I didn't know any better I would say that this wasn't sandstone, but a closeup of those floats of roses in the New Years Day Rose Bowl parade! The texture in the rock is amazing and of course beautiful. You took full advantage of the diffused light and then processed this masterfully. Outstanding work Tony.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on October 2, 2011 at 8:57 PM

Very interesting abstract.

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

Comment posted by Sean Bagshaw on October 3, 2011 at 9:11 AM

Perfectly balanced composition. I love the soft light and muted color. You succeeded in maintaining the overcast light quality. Even still, it might feel tad dark to me.

Registered on February 14, 2007, 99 Posts, 479 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on October 3, 2011 at 11:51 AM

Beutiful textures Tony. Hard to tell what part is coming or going, part of the mystery of the image. You say that you boosted sat and contrast, but on my monitor even a little more sat would be OK, though not sure if that would go way beyond the actual stone. Another great take on sandstone, somehow different from all of your other sandstone intimates.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 3, 2011 at 12:58 PM

Wow, I didn't instantly recognize this as your work, which is unusual. Still, a superb piece of composition and processing. I really like the texture and the lines, as well as the sublte coloration. As always, your processing is nothing short of amazing.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on October 3, 2011 at 11:30 PM

Amazing, Tony, absolutely amazing abstract. The curves and lines are dizzying, leaving the viewer wondering what is near and what is far. Incredible. Beautiful textures as well.

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

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on October 4, 2011 at 11:23 AM

Tony, you certainly have the eye for seeing nice patterns, and the technique to develop them. I cannot see anything to suggest upon. Looks great.

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

Comment posted by Hillary Younger on October 6, 2011 at 6:32 AM

You've done a wonderful job here, both with seeing this abstract in the field, and processing it to give the impressions you envisaged....the curves and tones are very sensuous...beautiful.

Registered on October 2, 2011, 17 Posts, 167 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on October 6, 2011 at 11:22 PM

Another masterpiece Tony. You never cease to amaze me with your interpretation of the landscape in your area.

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

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on October 9, 2011 at 10:00 AM

Once again you pulled off a great study of shapes and colors, Tony. Very inspiring.

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