Fortress of Solitude +Repost

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 20, 2012299 views9 comments

This is an image from the Alabama Hills taken in 2008 that I have struggled to get right in processing. The original was very difficult as the image was taken a full 45 minutes before sunrise and thus had a very strong blue cast. It's always been one of my favorite compositions, but I could never realize its potential. This is definitely the best I've been able to achieve so far - I've learned that an image can never really have perfect processing, but only good enough for now.

The background color was affected by the smoke in the air, as this was taken during the 2008 California wildfires.

CC appreciated

Larger size provided

Walker 5x7, Provia 100F, 2 stop soft, drum scan

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Chris Moore on August 20, 2012 at 9:16 PM

I like the comp, colors and moon. Processing-wise, the fg does appear a little unnaturally bright, and almost like it was selected and/or processed separately from the big, perhaps due to WB variations. I can see why this is a favorite composition of yours and I think there is yet still more potential that can be brought out. Nice work.

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

Comment posted by Andrew Morrill on August 20, 2012 at 9:50 PM

Thanks for the feedback Chris - to address your comment - of the 3 layers ( 1) foreground yellow/orange rock group 2) larger red/purple rocks 3) background blue mountains) I only did global color balance. I color balanced for 1 and the other layers fell into place as they are - the strong color gradient towards blue at distance was caused by odd effects caused by the smoke in the air (also 1 and 2 were simply different color of rock). As far as luminance values 1 and 2 were about where they are (except more contrast) and 3 is quite a bit darker than it was - I did this for compositional reasons.

So - are the variations you see based on 3 being too dark - or is it more about the color shift to blue? Or 1 is just too bright compared to the rest? Or 1 and 2 too bright compared to the rest? The sky was also darkened quite a bit. Thanks again.

Registered on June 10, 2010, 51 Posts, 216 Comments

Comment posted by Andrew Morrill on August 20, 2012 at 10:23 PM

Chris - thinking about your comment more I think maybe it's because the sky and background mountains were darkened too much. So I raised the values to closer to what they were on the slide - does it seem more natural? (besides the slight hot spot in the sky - I just did the curve a little fast)

Registered on June 10, 2010, 51 Posts, 216 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on August 20, 2012 at 11:11 PM

It's a very unique photo. I like the more muted colors in the back. Foreground maybe looks a bit strong by comparison, but it does add some interesting contrast to the image.

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

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on August 21, 2012 at 12:36 AM

The scene reminds me of "The Hills have Eyes" movie

This works nicely for me. I like the colors and the light very much. The moon is very well used - the sky would be too empty otherwise.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on August 21, 2012 at 2:28 AM

I think you did a great job in the processing and I like the composition very much.

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

Comment posted by David Edwards on August 21, 2012 at 3:57 AM

A beautiful shot Andrew. The extra processing in the repost is excellent. The radiating pink and purple glow is awesome and I like the balance of your comp.

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

Comment posted by Chris Moore on August 21, 2012 at 5:29 PM

Better balance in the repost. Nice shot!

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

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on August 22, 2012 at 4:43 PM

Very beautiful sky and a strong image. As mentioned by others, I think the ground is a little to bright.

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