The Right Side of Light

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 13, 20143,145 views21 comments

A few years earlier I had been in this areas and missed a light show over this canyon because I was looking into the sun from a nearby location. I was at the same in-to-the-sun spot seeing the same thing happening last September and finally just told my friends I was moving over to this spot as I didn't want to miss it again.

This was taken just a few minutes after arriving. It was mid-afternoon and the canyon was in complete shadow when I took the picture, but I figured this was better than harsh light with strong shadows. I like reworking even, soft light in Photoshop, so even though the canyon was quite gloomy in the RAW version (below), I felt it would be salvageable. Plus, not going to risk losing the rainbow by waiting.

From right around this place there were several wonderful hours of canyon, clouds, and changing light. My friends eventually joined me, and I felt we were indeed in the right place.

Your thoughts and recommendations on this image would, as always, be appreciated.

Canon 5D2, Tamron 28-300@42, f/16, 1/30. Current Photoshopping for this image is at the bottom of this page. (Called my site host. Hopefully access has been restored/improved.)

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on June 13, 2014 at 10:32 PM

This is the RAW file.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on June 13, 2014 at 11:01 PM

That's amazing Tony. The finished image is remarkable. I'll keep studying. (smile)

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on June 13, 2014 at 11:09 PM

I would like something in the middle.
While the image presented is nice and almost whimsical, I think the Raw,while a bit dull, is nice.
I would have brought half the way up…..

Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on June 13, 2014 at 11:15 PM

Very nice image Tony. I really like the details in the larger version and I was happy to find that rainbow out at the end of the canyon. I might consider darkening the sky just a bit (1/4 to 1/2 stop), but I feel this works very well as presented. FYI: the link to your photoshopping doesn't connect to your site - update: it finally connected, but is really slow.

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

Comment posted by Bill Reid on June 14, 2014 at 8:40 AM

Beautiful details and colors in the valley in the large version Tony and your usual wonderful processing. At first I thought the sky could be darker but the light blue really matches the tones in the valley so nicely that I"m not sure now. Beautiful scene.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by John Fan on June 14, 2014 at 9:41 AM

Only Tony Kuyper can pull this much color out of a gloomy scene :))

Registered on August 24, 2010, 135 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 14, 2014 at 10:13 AM

Pretty scene. I prefer the sky in the raw file. Fine job on the canyon.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on June 14, 2014 at 11:25 AM

Tony,

I'm in the 'middle of the road' group with this one. While the color is interesting in the worked version, I prefer the more dramatic, stormy look of the RAW image, but with a bit more color in the canyon.

The scene is quite nice and I like how you composed it.

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 14, 2014 at 11:31 AM

Tony, what a wonderful view all the rock formations leading into the far distance and the subtle rainbow is a terrific addition, perfectly placed. Access to your web site worked nicely and going through your processing steps is very instructive. (I feel like I understand most, but not all of the steps.

) My feeling is that the foreground in the original post is somewhat too bright. I like a version where I've dialed back your midtone darks layer to 30% opacity and turned off the final vignette layer.

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on June 14, 2014 at 1:25 PM

I like the somewhat whimsical look to this image. I'm pretty sure there is no way I could pull it off. I love it. I think the only thing I would adjust is the magenta in the bg cliffs. Love that you posted your work flow and processing. Big help to those of us just beginning this journey. Thanks, Tony.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Warren on June 14, 2014 at 2:38 PM

A wonderful capture of a very impressive scene, Tony. The colors are amazing, and the subtle rainbow in the background is the icing on the cake. I think my personal preference would be for a slightly darker/moodier interpretation, but this version is great for emphasizing the impressive colors. Really well done.

Thanks also for the link to the processing example. In the last few months I've been getting my feet wet with your amazing luminosity masks and related tools. Sean's tutorials have been helpful as well, although the learning curve has been steep for me. Anyway, thanks for helping amateurs like me bring our skills up a few notches.

Registered on May 11, 2012, 84 Posts, 931 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 14, 2014 at 3:18 PM

Wow, What an amazing view, Tony. This is outstanding work IMHO. The colors are wonderful and I love looking at the large version. Beautiful.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on June 14, 2014 at 4:10 PM

So much to view within one scene, so many different compositions, what I am trying to say is I could spend a lifetime roaming this one scene and be very happy, nothing like this in my area. Beautifully seen and presented Tony
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on June 15, 2014 at 1:21 PM

Very interesting interpretation of this with the processing, Tony. I agree that the lighting conditions on the canyon were working in your favor. Like Preston, I'm tending toward the middle of the road, and like Harley I think the RAW version of the sky can also work, of course with some of your magic in post.

I was there briefly last month under sunny morning conditions, but have bookmarked it for my next trip out there.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on June 15, 2014 at 11:13 PM

Tony, you had the rainbow aligned down the canyon well. It was too far to the right back where we were to even be a part of a good composition.
I see a purple tinge in the coal bands and the stripes on the far walls at the canyon mouth. My conservative tastes would also reduce the amount of yellow and add more contrast, but I know we have different feels for color levels.

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on June 17, 2014 at 10:23 AM

Tony, the difference between the RAW and processed image is stunning. Regardless if one likes the entire processing overall, the outcome of the view in the canyon is amazing. I like it in the finished fashion, but could also see maybe a slightly darker version too......

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on June 17, 2014 at 11:22 AM

Tony - Really looks like you brought out the best of the image. Overall the image apears overexposed, a dramatic difference between this processing and some of your sandstone abstracts. I might prefer darker and richer tones. Glad you finally got that rainbow!

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 17, 2014 at 12:37 PM

Beautiful shot Tony. Must be seen large to be fully appreciated.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on June 19, 2014 at 9:05 PM

Masterful work my friend!!!

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on June 21, 2014 at 10:34 AM

This is wonderful Tony, looking at the raw file it's amazing what you can do. Excellent depth and sharpness front to back. Love the colours too. Cracking shot.

Gary.

Good to see you post again.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on June 21, 2014 at 11:18 AM

Agree with Dan, would like to see the middle. Love TK by the way.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments