Arches Formations 5

Nice composition. The sage in the foreground adds interest and leads my eye to the main subject which is the rocks.

I like the rock formations you have selected for this image. I think you have done a nice job with the color management and the overall balance of the composition is very good. . Good job ! Chet

Nice composition. Light looks like its getting harsh but I like the contrast of the blue sky against the red rock and the sage really adds a lot of interest.

nice mid-day light, i think you need to brighten up the left side of this image in the FG it seems a little bit dark

I have an issue with critics who say mid day light and harsh light with this photo. Shot at 2 1/2 hours before complete sundown and the direction of shadows tell the true tale. The color of the light has the quality not associated with harsh light. Harsh or mid day shadows will be straight down without three deminsional shapes and the shadows of the foreground bushes are clues.
Not every good photo has to be captured at the golden hour.

Great depiction of the red-rock landscape around Moab/ Arches. The light adds dimension to the scene and is nice and mellow, not changing the color of the land as happens in the later evening and earlier morning "golden" hours. The left side is a little dark, but it looks like there is a swell of land there, which would naturally create shadow... Perhaps just a whisk of the dodging brush would lighten the density of the shadow just enough without losing the "lay of the land" there. To me, this is a solid, "as I saw it" landscape image.

Rick,

To me the photograph is rather flat. It could be due to the light or your perspective. Even the FG sage does not lend itself to making this have much depth again due to your high vantage point. The other thing that bothers me is that it seems your lens had some kind of smudge on it as there is a strange out of focus area about 1/3 of the way in from the right in the sage and that smudge continues up into the the frame to the nearly the middle of the rocks.

Thanks for the observation Youseff. I do recall a dirty cpl after applying sun screen at some time during the day and this must be the moment.

Rick,

This works quite well and I think you've got a nice balance between the wonderful rock formations and window, vs. the sage covered landscape. The color/sat are very good here, and all looks natural.

I would agree with Catherine about a slight dodge on the left; not a big deal, but just for a little balancing out of the light/exposure.

As far as light, harsh or whatever, could be a whole topic in and of itself. There's no right or wrong and I agree with you that images can be take all times during the day. Of course there are so many variables such as atmospheric conditions, the subject for sure and also the direction of the light - back lit? side? overhead or frontal? All of these variables can work for, or against you. I call this time here, "bluebird skies" and that just about any time between where you're at here, and the same time just after sunrise. It may be a time when many find something else to do or photograph (like in the shade!) but you are still right, it doesn't mean there aren't chances to shoot. Having said all that, I find nothing wrong here in terms of when you captured this - as noted, the colors are excellent and natural. I would still call this "hard" light, and for this reason. The direction and light create heavy contrast in the upper reaches of the rock which I think is what gives people the idea that it is harsh. "Harsh" to me is when something gets washed out and loses detail; that's not the case here. But the contrast is heavy up top, creating hard lines and deep shadows. Without dragging this out, I still don't think it's a bad thing in your image here. Those deep shadows don't occupy a lot of space, and they actually help define the shapes and forms of the rock, and that works for me. How's that for a ramble?

Lastly, didn't notice the smudge until Youssef pointed it out, but it's there, unfortunately!

Oh, lastly #2 - I see a decent pano crop coming up from the bottom just to above the bright bush at the bottom. Just an alternate view, not a fix for anything.

Lon

Another nice "in context" comp, Rick. And the colors look natural. I think your point about photographs can be good anytime is well taken. And, while the light here is not harsh, it is strong. That is just the nature of our light out west. It is bright and strong just 30 minutes to and hour after sunrise, and until about 1/2 hour before sunset. It is just the nature of our light out west. Due to the clear, clean air and the higher altitudes. I agree with Lon, the stronger light doesn't hurt this image at all. It, in fact, identifies it as a statement of what true conditions are here. Well seen and taken.

Well done Rick, I like this a lot man
God Bless Texas