Sanctuary

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 23, 2012304 views10 comments

I love being surrounded by the desert plants. I don't know why, because I hate sharp objects and am deathly afraid of them. However, when I'm out in the field, there is nothing I like photographing more than the lush desert vegetation. The way it contrasts with the surrounding landscape just creates a surreal scene. After a brief dusting of snow on the high desert, the clouds began to lift and reveal the mountains. Once the sun became low enough a break in the clouds allowed for the mountains to light up like a candle. The glow on the vegetation was something that had to be seen in person. It was incredible, and while exploring the area, I was stabbed many times by the various prickly plants. Something that I have gotten used to. The desert is truly an amazing place, and even more amazing when you have these types of conditions. Comments and critiques appreciated.

Canon 7d
Canon 17-40mm @40mm
ISO 100
f/16
1/20 sec
Tripod
two images blended for dynamic range.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on March 23, 2012 at 11:29 PM

A magic wand spread the light on this! Beautiful composition and balance. Dynamic range is still steep and wide with details that I am straining to distinguish in the dark areas. Really ilke the cacti paddles in the middle. Nice job.

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on March 23, 2012 at 11:46 PM

Thanks Ken, I still wanted to have a somewhat dark feel here to emphasize the glow on the foreground vegetation and then have the mountains glow like they do.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on March 24, 2012 at 12:30 AM

nice glows on the veg and the mountains. i'm finding the sky a little too dark.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Abdullaziz Bin Ali on March 24, 2012 at 2:07 AM

What a magical time and perfect clouds you had here
love the tone as well

good work

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on March 24, 2012 at 12:41 PM

I'm always amazed at the lushness of Arizona's lower deserts. It's neat how you've found your photographic voice here. It's obvious from your images that your very in touch with this landscape.

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

Comment posted by Kyle McDougall on March 24, 2012 at 3:39 PM

The glow on the f/g in the image is amazing, I can only imagine what it would have been like in person! Love the detail and as mentioned the cacti in the middle of the image. I like how the dark clouds mimic the peaks of the mountains, very cool!

Registered on June 10, 2011, 9 Posts, 52 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on March 24, 2012 at 6:50 PM

Thats some amazing detail in the fg and some dramatic atmospheric conditions to boot! Great image, overall...

Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on March 24, 2012 at 9:48 PM

Great stuff. That bright cloud top left really confuses the depth. I think in a good way. :)

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on March 24, 2012 at 10:10 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Tony, I'm glad you can see that through my desert images. Means I'm doing it right in my book.

Aaron that bright cloud is still dumping snow somewhere in this scene. Was lucky to have the clouds lift from the mountains you see here to get that great contrast from the sky.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on March 28, 2012 at 10:45 AM

This is both beautiful and full of interest. Well done.

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