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Sunset Spotlight

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted January 23, 2013243 views7 comments

A late break in heavily overcast skies, serendipitously allows the sun to light up this section of the Painted Hills. I had hiked up the Carroll Rim trail gambling on the possibility that I might get some late light, but had all but given up hope, folded the tripod, and begun the trek back to the parking lot. Fortunately, I didn't get far when the sun broke through. I set up quickly and made a few shots before things went dark. Unlike the interesting patterns of shadows so many of you have shared, the shadows here become the frame for the sunlit hills.

1/40 @ f/8, ISO 200, 88 mm, 24-105 f/4L, tripod, cable release.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on January 24, 2013 at 4:33 AM

That's a terrific spotlight and the details shine in the larger version, what a treat just when you'd given up.

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

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on January 24, 2013 at 1:06 PM

Unique take on the theme, Craig. I really like how the shadows, as you say, form a frame around the sunlit hills. Great colors and designs visible in the sunlit hills compared with the almost B&W look to the shaded areas. My one thought was to do a slight crop up from the bottom so the sunlit hills aren't in the center but still retaining some shaded area on the bottom. . .but also great as is! Very beautiful capture of a special moment! Your patience certainly paid off.

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by RL Potts on January 24, 2013 at 2:28 PM

This is very dramatic. I like the way you managed the lighting levels in your shadows. I was expecting/hoping someone would post an image with shadows used in this way. I often see well-lit subjects against a shadowed background. You went one better and got the foreground too.

Registered on November 24, 2003, 188 Posts, 985 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on January 25, 2013 at 2:15 PM

Great landscape. The BG has enough interest , that it could stand alone....but paired with the middle and the FG....very nice.

The large version is outstanding!

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on January 25, 2013 at 3:33 PM

I think the shadow frame makes the Painted Hills all the more impressive. Lovely composition, but I guess it's just my curiosity that makes me want to see more of the view, especially on the right side, perhaps in panorama that might reveal the edge of that spot of light. No way to tell what was there, so this makes me wonder... Maybe that's a good thing!

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Tim Butler on January 28, 2013 at 8:43 AM

I'm just blown away by the painterly coloring and textures in this image. Anywhere else I might assume some digital manipulation at work. But I think this is just your skill and natures wonder! Remarkable image IMO. I'm just a little bit like Wayne Jones in that greed makes me want to see more and what a pano might have revealed. But this is still just stunning!

Registered on October 12, 2012, 17 Posts, 155 Comments

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on April 11, 2013 at 6:39 PM

Wonderful lighting on those hills! Beautiful job!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments