Symphony in Stone XVII (Horn Solo)

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 11, 2012431 views29 comments

A nearly 3 mile slog through the desert sands last Saturday brought me to this remote, seldom visited slot canyon in the Colorado Plateau, where I spotted this unique formation high above. In fact, I was looking nearly straight up and had to hold the lens zoom in place so it would not move during the long exposure.
Even though the return trip was extremely hot and arduous, I had a spring in my step after spending a few hours in this cool chamber.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

Canon 5DII w/24-105 lens @ 73mm
10 sec. @ f16 ISO 100

Comments

29 comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on June 11, 2012 at 11:31 PM

After many years of photographing reflected light in tight sandstone canyons, I am still awed at the color spectrum that the camera captures and which is simply not visible to my eye. I now have a feel for what might happen, but am still amazed when I see the instant feedback from the camera's LCD. The image above is the RAW file straight from the camera with all defaults set to 0.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 11, 2012 at 11:53 PM

Pure art, Amigo! Pure art!

I could go on and on about the range of colors, tones, lines, subject, comp, and all that jazz. Suffice it to say this is Extraordinary! And, take note everyone.....One exposure!

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

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on June 11, 2012 at 11:54 PM

Gorgeous shot John. What a unique formation. Looks like it was well worth the hike.

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

Comment posted by Todd Liotine on June 12, 2012 at 12:37 AM

Great find and yes the colors that are naturally captured are amazing. I really enjoy the warm to cool tones in one frame.

Registered on July 1, 2008, 131 Posts, 671 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on June 12, 2012 at 12:41 AM

Very painterly feel here. I'm always amazed by the variations of colors visible in these canyons and you captured them beautifully here. Can't say I have any suggestions or nits, it's just a very pleasing image.

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

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on June 12, 2012 at 1:57 AM

Awesome shot John! What sets it apart is the sculpted rock at the top and of course the colors and lines. I'd be very happy with this one.

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

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on June 12, 2012 at 2:53 AM

Freakin wicked!

aF

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

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on June 12, 2012 at 5:05 AM

Superb! I love the natural colours and swirls in this one, very artfull!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 12, 2012 at 5:52 AM

Awesome color and detail John. Beautiful mix of warm and cool tones with superb light.

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

Comment posted by Keith Tate on June 12, 2012 at 6:07 AM

A fantastic shot

Registered on December 11, 2004, 150 Posts, 1667 Comments

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on June 12, 2012 at 8:06 AM

John, this is fantastic! Beautiful color hues and curves. I hope to see a little bit more on the left side.

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on June 12, 2012 at 9:00 AM

Beautiful progression of light and color. Spectacular image, very nicely done

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on June 12, 2012 at 9:32 AM

Well, not completely unique. Michael Fatali photographed it in the 1980s as I'm sure you're aware: image here. Adam Kavalunas came along a bit later and did it too. Adam's picture. He's a Fatali fan also. I like the slightly wider view here. You're online version is better, but Fatali's Cibachome image is awesome to look at.

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

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on June 12, 2012 at 9:42 AM

Beautiful shapes and lines, and they exposure right on as your RAW converter shows. No tripod - your're a magician!

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

Comment posted by Jack Garrett on June 12, 2012 at 11:37 AM

I love everything about it John! Sweeping curves, pastel colors..nothing to fault in this one.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 41 Posts, 251 Comments

Comment posted by Ned Fenimore on June 12, 2012 at 12:07 PM

Beautiful curves.. I don't think I have ever gotten anything near this nice in my 4 or 5 visits there..

Registered on November 1, 2003, 467 Posts, 2803 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on June 12, 2012 at 1:12 PM

Damned incredible John!

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 12, 2012 at 1:54 PM

John,

Wonderful slot image! And thanks for sharing the raw image as well. Tells me that indeed all the color was present and at least in my view you did very well to process and present the colors that are rich, but not overstated. I like this a lot. Well done!

Lon

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

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on June 12, 2012 at 2:14 PM

That's a piece of art. Awesome image.

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

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on June 12, 2012 at 3:59 PM

This is one of those photos I can sit and look at for a long time. Lots of lines to guide you through a very interesting work of nature!
A piece of art that I'm sure will grace many a wall!
Well worth the effort!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Atencio on June 12, 2012 at 9:23 PM

Wow John, one of the more inspiring canyon shots I've seen in recent memory. Terrific range of color here and as Morris points out, all in a single shot. Kudos amigo, hope all is well

Registered on June 23, 2009, 21 Posts, 422 Comments

Comment posted by Jean Day on June 13, 2012 at 12:49 AM

Your timing was indeed perfect to get the range of light to produce these colors. An absolutely stunning comp.

Registered on April 10, 2011, 36 Posts, 306 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on June 13, 2012 at 12:33 PM

Very nice, John. Makes me wanna get out of here and go hiking in a slot. Love all the great colors and shapes.

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

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on June 13, 2012 at 2:19 PM

10 second long hand held exposure. I guess that lens does have IS. Colors are great, sharpness is impeccable. When I first viewed the image I thought that it might need more saturation, but the subtle processing approach is a nice change of pace here. Great work John.

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on June 13, 2012 at 2:53 PM

Thanks for the kind words, folks. Much appreciated!

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

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on June 13, 2012 at 6:57 PM

I would suggest a two step process to improve this image: 1) print it large, and 2) hang it on the wall.

This is great work, John, and an appropriate title. Beautifully rendered with the warm cool transition and the wonderful textures and shapes. Very enjoyable.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 13, 2012 at 11:05 PM

To me,albeit limited in seeing images of slot canyons and never having even photographed one, this has to be one of the most beautiful slot images I have ever seen. What sets your image apart to me are the subtleties like the gradation of tones from bottom to top, the hints and touches of shadow detail, and the lines and forms exquisitely composed, just to name a few. Stunning art.

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

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on June 14, 2012 at 3:14 AM

Phenomenal, John! The curves combined with the strong central shape are fantastic, and I love the more natural colors (compared to most slot shots we see). Just beautiful.. next time take me!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on June 15, 2012 at 3:04 AM

Absolutely delightful. The range of tones is spectacular.

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