Echoes of Darkness+CROP

Interesting and quite different compared to what we usually see from you, Stan. I like the line action going on on the rock walls and how the hard contrast pushes them a bit. I'm not sure about the dark blocked out areas which somehow disconnect the left side from the rest. But I'm not a very huge B&W fan in general so I might be a bit biased here.

Interesting B&W rendition, Stan. The right FG rock is a nice anchoring point.
Great detail throughout and a real sense of depth. Well composed.

Thanks guys--
Andreas, i'm definitely trying to broaden my scope more and this is an early effort--i'm going with inspiration from Stuart Williams and Jesse Speer here--my inclination might have been to go HDR, but when exposure at 4 long seconds gives me good highlites and captures the mood of the place, i figure i gotta roll with it

Fun to see you experimenting with BW Stan; I don't remember many from you. In this one, the bottom doesn't attract me near as much as the top. In fact, did you happen to take a shot higher up that left the water out entirely? The patterns in the rock are very cool.

no, cause then it would have been your typical slot shot, John

Strong contrast almost always increases drama in a scene, and it works well here. Even the stream reflecting the ominous, dark clouds adds to the overall effect. The very dark area on the left does seem to be carrying too much weight. But, then again, the lines are so strong they pretty much negate the pull. Something different, and quite striking, Stan.

Pretty cool, Stan. Really like the strong contrasts in the rock walls. Wondering about cropping some off the bottom, like to just above the big rock in the lower right as the amount of black in the LLC seems a bit excessive.

Interesting and very different for you Stan. I like the deep blacks and lines in general. Definitely not your typical Zion shot.

I don't know if this keeps me looking because its so different from your usual style or if I really like it.

The extreme range of light and angles gives it a threatening feel. Either way, its got me looking again and again.

this is absolutely different compared to your other works

very strange mood in this shot, i like the processing

we need to see some work of desert

I'll echo "strange mood" on this one. I think the image is well balanced and provocative. Maybe a bit dark for my taste. You would never know Zion on this one.

I like this different take on Zion, Stan. It certainly has a dark mood to it and much different than your usual postings. I was wondering about seeing more in the shadows but then realize that will take away from the feel here.

I like what you did here Stan. I wasn't quite sure about it when I first looked at it, so I have come back for another look a couple of times. I think your comp works really well with these dark shadows and super interesting lines and shapes. It is different from you and I think you did an excellent job. Very well thought out, and I like this!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

I've been looking for the word to describe a certain quality your images all seem to have. I finally came up with two..dramatic honesty. Even in b&w there is a clarity and a sense of 'this is how it was' that is both engaging and enviable. I can't say that I like this one as much as I've like some of your others but it is both interesting and creative. Nicely done

Thanks, Nancy, i really appreciate that! My goal in nature photography has always been to translate what im seeing/feeling as accurately/honestly as i can. I think to improve, I have to consciously think more about the message and the intent, that's what i hope to work on this Winter more than anything else.

Very very cool. The lines back middle are hypnotizing!

aF

Cool little slot! I love the bw here...it just seems to pull me through the image better than color may have. Does that make sense? Anyways, it was great to meet up with you a couple of times last week. Looks like you had a good trip.

I hate cropping, but the rock has got to go...

Stan, I do like the repost with the cropped rock over the original. The reflection of the sky is a nice arrow into the slot. The blurred floaties on the water are a little annoying to me though.

This looks great Stan. I like your experimental approach and it yielded a very interesting bw image. The crop was a good idea. I prefer the cropped composition, but I was not that bothered by the rock.