Navajo Totem

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 16, 2013425 views13 comments

Monument Valley was the destination after the Grand Canyon last weekend with Peter Coskun. The Hot Air Balloon Event was being held at the tribal park. Skies Saturday evening and Sunday dawn were mostly overcast with a few snow flurries, but the light did sneak through a hole and softly light the Totem Pole. I am always in a quandary whether I'd rather have the last light illuminating the rock/mountain/trees, or a colorful sunset with no direct light on the land. Here, we settled for light on the land.

A larger version is supplied.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 16, 2013 at 10:25 AM

Very pretty Doug. I like the way the dusting of snow really makes the red rocks pop. Lovely light too.

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

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on January 16, 2013 at 12:11 PM

Doug, I like this composition and the side lighting gives a good 3d appearance to the formations.. The light and color are very pleasing. Accents of snow on the red add alot. Well done!! Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 16, 2013 at 1:23 PM

Sweet light - love the dusting of snow that gives this icon a fresh look.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on January 16, 2013 at 1:27 PM

I think the soft light works very well for this. The patches of snow really make the image, as does the tall, unusual rock formation that makes the are so unique. Really like this, and can't spot anything to improve. Thanks for the large version---it put me right there...

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on January 16, 2013 at 2:34 PM

There's no better combo than snow on red rock - I like this delicate snow that shows off the textures more than the heavy dump. I might try punching up the contrast a bit to showcase the sunlit portions of the scene.

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on January 16, 2013 at 2:48 PM

You really made some sweet lemonade here Doug. The light here is great and the snow really does give this more impact.

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

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on January 16, 2013 at 3:31 PM

Light on the land was an excellent choice. As Bill said, the dusting of snow is a nice accent on the red rocks and sand. Very nice work.

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

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on January 16, 2013 at 4:17 PM

The light and the snow are really working for you here.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by INGOMA on January 16, 2013 at 7:21 PM

This works really nicely for me, Doug! Great light and there is a feeling of openness in the large version that is striking.

Registered on July 2, 2004, 231 Posts, 3110 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on January 17, 2013 at 8:15 AM

The lighting is really sweet, the dusting of snow special, and I love the textures and colors in the foreground.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on January 17, 2013 at 9:18 AM

Thank you for the kind comments.
Harry, I will try adding some local contrast and maybe brightness to the formations.

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on January 17, 2013 at 1:37 PM

This is a pretty scene. The dusting of snow makes this scene more interesting and is a great color contrast to the reds. Beautiful light, too

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 18, 2013 at 9:45 AM

Texture and contrast are perfect here, Doug. Captures the place perfectly.

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