Sand pistol

Love the contrast between the light and shadowed areas. It looks like light coming from two directions. Did you use a flash or reflector?
The shapes and lines are nice. I don’t know how to improve on this one.

Thanks, Richard. No flash or reflector (just canyon walls). Main processing adjustments were to boost contrast and clarity, and some selective burning. However, it's really interesting how the light changes over the course of the day. Here's essentially the same shot captured a few hours earlier (my wife actually preferred this one):

Jared,

Wow, what a difference time can make eh? Interesting too how our wives/spouses often have such different tastes and perspectives. Of course being the photog side, I'm biased against the soft and beautiful light present here in this wonderful sandstone abstract. Just enough light to create the contrasts and a little rim lighting up top. Excellent.

The only minor thing I'm torn about is the empty LLC. It's not a big deal, and perhaps not an issue for others. Oh, and there's a tiny specular highlight in the ULC corner that detracts a bit; again, minor, but you might clone that out if you're printing.

Just love the soft light and color here.

Lon

superb shot, jared! the comp is spot on and the soft glow is amazing!

i wasn't going to say anything else, but since you specifically asked for it: i would probably try adding a bit more contrast to bring out the lines in the foreground (mainly the brightest/magenta part).

Works for me, Jared (the original, not the repost). Excellent flow, lines, shape and colors.

This is very nice Jared. I love the soft light, beautiful color and wonderful shapes. Clone out that bright speck in the ulc that Lon mentioned and that would be it for me. Well done!
The second post with the harsher light doesn't work nearly as well for me.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

I like this one as is, Jared. A slightly different composition from a slot here.

Real sweet image, Jared. It works beautifully for me. Wonderful colors, lines and light.

Perhaps you haven't made a lot of abstracts, but you made a darn nice one with this! Love the shapes, shadows, textures, curves, contrast - heck, I love it all. Excellent capture.

I like the first version best, more even tones and air of mystery, I do see a hotspot in the upper left that could be cloned out

The original post makes a wonderful abstract with all of the warm flowing lines. I like the strong contrast with the dark corners. Beautiful.

Excellent work. Great color and use of lines.