Palo duro Sunrise

An extremely compelling image Rick. I really like how you handled all aspects of this capture. You nailed it!

I like this image and I can't tell you exactly why. I have sat here and looked at it for a while trying to figure out why, but I don't know. It just draws me and is compelling. Very well processed.

Hmmm...I can see what is capturing their attention--it's a strong comp and very unique...BUT i'm not sold on the processing: the landscape is essentially silhouetted here by the sun, so it looks odd to see it lit up like that. The light on the horizon to the left of the mesa is more realistic. If it were me, Id take the left side of the histogram and drop it big time, get the cliffs as dark as possible while still retaining detail (especially in the highlights) I know its just a jpeg, but i think you could eliminate some of that banding in the sky as well. It's a tricky blend, cause you need to retain detail in the tree on the rhs, but hey--no pain, no gain. Just my take

Thanks for comments. First off, I was creating a surreal landscape for display in Sky Canyon Restaurant opening in Love Field, Dallas. Trying to merge the sky and canyon for a taste of Texas landscape.
The fact Richard responded just as my intentions were directed gives me satisfaction. The 24 x 36 print does not show banding like jpg presented.

Thanks for looking and if you are in Love Field stop by the great food created by premier chef Stephan Pyles Sky Canyon.

I really like this, the somewhat un-natural light not withstanding. This really works. There is an ethereal quality to it that I find compelling.

Rick, the last time I was at Love Field was 1966 when it was still the Dallas area's airport. I had taken a short hop from Amarillo AFB to meet my parents for a trip to Tyler for Christmas. A few of us from the base visited Palo Duro once--neat place. I was younger then...much younger.

--P

I'm like Richard and this image is just drawing me in. I have looked at it several times and it keeps me coming back for another take. Pretty cool work Rick!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

I was creating a surreal landscape

It would be useful to state that up front, makes a big difference.
A landscape can look surreal, but when you 'create' that aspect-- IMO, that puts this squarely in PA. But i know there are many here who disagree with that.

Very interesting and unique image Rick which is very nicely done.

Stan ,

I produced a Sky exposure and a foreground exposure in LR 5 then hand blended the two with some burning and dodge. I value your opinion on this but maybe surreal is a overstatement on my part. I was not at all interested in it looking as the eye sees it, only how I wanted to see it.

The opinions gathered here are important to me and thanks. For folks to come back and look several times tells me the display for my client will be just what I wanted.