A Silent Gathering

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 26, 2012448 views23 comments

Something about this group of hoodoos in NE Arizona made me think of a classroom lecture. Or perhaps an alien landscape?
The monsoonal weather pattern is going strong in the Southwest. Even though it's hotter than hell, the desert is a great place to be right now.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

I think the larger version looks a bit better.

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Joseph Rossbach on July 26, 2012 at 7:55 PM

Killer John, Killer!!!!!

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on July 26, 2012 at 7:57 PM

Yep, the large version really brings out the detail in this image. I don't know if lighting the fg just a bit is an option but I'm thinking it might balance the sky a bit better. Beautiful as is, just thinking out loud. Unique and interesting scenery, nicely captured

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on July 26, 2012 at 8:21 PM

Yep, there is more detail in the foreground in the large version. Such a crazy, interesting, fascinating landscape, John. Love the mix of light, color, textures, and shapes.

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

Comment posted by Chris Moore on July 26, 2012 at 8:32 PM

Great landscape! I really enjoy looking at all the intricate textures and shapes throughout the image, and the processing is very natural. The transition from the rock to the orange part of the sky on the left looks a little abrupt, but that is minor. Well done

Registered on January 12, 2010, 84 Posts, 388 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 26, 2012 at 8:52 PM

John, This is wonderful. Been looking at the large version and just really enjoying it. A pretty facinating place, and so well captured. Looks like an alien landscape to me. Great light and conditions for this shot, but most of all is the awesome feel.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on July 26, 2012 at 9:04 PM

Very original, John. I really like the composition. Looks good, though the sky and land feel a bit disconnected, sort of like they were processed quite differently. Hard to peg, but I'd say a bit of mismatch in color balance between the two.

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

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on July 26, 2012 at 10:18 PM

Awesome shot John!

Very moody and it does fit the monsoon weather well, especially for a desert scene. Really digging this one.

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

Comment posted by Bret Edge on July 26, 2012 at 10:47 PM

Amazing. No, AMAZING! The monsoons have been good to you, John. Keep 'em coming!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on July 27, 2012 at 12:09 AM

The monsoonal sky really adds to this scene, John. Overall it provides a real otherworldly look IMO. The larger view is a plus here for reviewing the image too.
Having seen and photographed similar hoodoo formations once in Utah, I've always been intrigued at the way they get life and hang on sometimes for years........

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on July 27, 2012 at 12:13 AM

Wow, the large version just knocks me over!! I really love this one - so much for the eyes to explore and feast upon.

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

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on July 27, 2012 at 1:56 AM

The large version really shines John! Love the subtle coloration.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on July 27, 2012 at 4:59 AM

A fascinating landscape John. I really like the balance of your comp. I agree with Tony that the land and sky do look quite disconnected, like a composite photo. I do like the texture and detail you've brought out of the rock.

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

Comment posted by John Mumaw on July 27, 2012 at 7:23 AM

Thanks for the comments and kind words, folks. This is a single exposure, but I have 'developed' the foreground a bit to bring out the details that were somewhat lost in the original. I'll have another look at that soon.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on July 27, 2012 at 9:14 AM

Oh yeah, the larger version must be viewed to appreciate the full range of texture and detail. Awesome image John

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on July 27, 2012 at 9:53 AM

John~ Sweet and moody. Great work

exposure details?

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Atencio on July 27, 2012 at 10:05 AM

WOW John, the large version here is fantastic! The comp really tells the story of how these hoodoos are formed, especially that little skinny guy on the left. Excellent desertscape as usual from you

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

Comment posted by Soubhik Patranabis on July 27, 2012 at 11:32 AM

Simply Amazing !!!

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

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on July 27, 2012 at 4:50 PM

John, the large version is amazing. Kind of like a bunch of aliens worshiping their gods.

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

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on July 27, 2012 at 5:02 PM

Very fine work, John. The composition is very nicely balanced and your processing looks excellent overall, though I did have much the same thought as Tony upon first viewing the shot (disconnect between the sky and land). Not sure why that is...my only immediate thought is that perhaps the blues are a bit too dark.

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

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on July 27, 2012 at 7:15 PM

Beautiful tones in the sandstone. Larger version was a treat to view..nice work John.

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

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on July 28, 2012 at 2:04 AM

You gotta view this larger to really get it. Love the alien look and the lighting enhances the whole thing. The textures also do a great job impacting the emotions. Awesome image John!

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

Comment posted by John Williams on July 28, 2012 at 9:51 PM

Spectacular sky with a spectacular foreground! I do agree that the processing between the two is noticeable; it almost gives a two photo feel. Soften the difference and this will sing!

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 30, 2012 at 5:45 PM

Very surreal and it does look like an alien landscape. Wonderful overall composition with one formation on the shady side and the other showing light and those clouds really add the final touch. Excellent shot, the larger image was a pleasure to view.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments