Return to the Crows

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 1, 2014188 views7 comments

This canyon always feels a little creepy. Deep and narrow, like a slot, but lacking the grace and beauty of the warmer sandstone of most photographed slots. This one ripped its way through half a dozen formations. It has a raw, unfinished feel that has me looking over my shoulder. And then, there are the crows...dozens of them on the canyon rim, in nooks and crannies, all watching me intently. Their silence is unnerving. I Keep coming back though, its one of my favorite places to shoot when we're in the Lake Mead area.

f/9 1/100sec 33mm

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on May 1, 2014 at 8:06 PM

Very nice colors here Nancy. You did a good job dealing with the harsh light here. My favorite part of the image is the glowing orange wall. The very top section seems to be a bit flat. I might consider darkening the shadows near the top to boost the contrast there a bit.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on May 1, 2014 at 11:31 PM

Nancy, I like the glowing wall too. It does look like the light was pretty harsh and I agree with Scott's thoughts. I especially enjoyed reading the feelings you get from this place.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on May 1, 2014 at 11:54 PM

This looks like an interesting place to explore. My preference would be to focus the composition on the red rock in this little canyon and leave the sky out all together. You might also consider getting up close to something in the foreground - looks like there could be some interesting lines in the sandstone formations that could be used to lead the eye into the composition.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on May 2, 2014 at 4:27 AM

A really nice range of colour here. I would try to darken the top of the frame where it seems over-exposed.

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

Comment posted by John Williams on May 3, 2014 at 2:51 AM

Enchanting canyon, it really leads the eye. Since the eye is led back, which is good, I agree that it needs to be less washed. I'd also shoot this with less harsh light on future trips.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 4, 2014 at 10:37 AM

I really like the colors in the nearest rocks. The sounds like a neat place to explore. I agree with the others that burning in the sky and the more distant rocks would help.

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on May 4, 2014 at 5:14 PM

Neat place, some nice curves and textures in the fg.
As KK mentioned, the top is a tad overexposed, but frankly I don't think that small sliver of sky is working--needs more (or less)

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments