Snow Canyon Morning

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 28, 2014248 views10 comments

Since it's about 300 degrees here in Southern Utah, the mornings provides the only respite from the heat. This little old juniper has intrigued me for years and I've never really found a comp that works. This time of year the sun happens to rise in the perfect spot to illuminate this little fellow with the beautiful backdrop of Snow Canyon State Park. I intended to post the color version but a quick conversion revealed the rays of light penetrating the cloud cover in the eastern sky, which resulted in this version.

5d2, 24mm, f/16, 1/5s, iso100

Your comments and critiques greatly appreciated

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on July 28, 2014 at 7:27 AM

Nice layering in the comp Gary and the light rays and cloud are particularly nice. My only suggestion would be to darken the part of the sagebrush? in the fg that has the light on it. To me it's competing with the juniper and stealing some of the emphasis. Certainly not a show stopper though. Beautiful mood and image as posted.

pat

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 28, 2014 at 10:09 AM

Gary, I too am very attracted to that neat twisted juniper and the crepuscular rays. (There are ways to get those to show in color also.

) To me this feels dark overall, which has a forbidding feeling, yet I think with some different processing this would be very inviting...depends on what you're trying to do.

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

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on July 28, 2014 at 11:50 AM

Really, really nice Gary, as presented, beautiful tones and composition, love the rays, and the little juniper anchors the scene beautifully. Excellent work.
John

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on July 28, 2014 at 2:20 PM

OK. I'm confused. The light on the tree and hills appears to be coming from behind the camera position and to the right. However, the bright sky and the rays appear to coming from behind the hills. You said the sun rises to illuminate the tree, and you then say the "...rays of light penetrating the cloud cover in the eastern sky". Hence, my confusion.

I agree it's tad dark. I think the mids and darks could be opened up a bit. I do like the composition.

--P

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on July 29, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Thanks for the suggestions, I really appreciate them. Pat, I do like the idea of toning down the grasses. Mark, I do like this in color, but I couldn't get the rays to pop, I did process this a bit lighter but I liked this version, best. Preston, sorry for the confusion. The sun was rising behind me, but with layered clouds allowing intense light that was very isolated. Didn't see the crepuscular rays with the naked eye , but believe me, they were coming from the east, probably a break higher up.

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

Comment posted by Ben Horne on July 29, 2014 at 12:29 AM

There is a very thoughtful composition with beautiful lighting that really evokes emotion. The cloud has a very 3D look to it, and I love how the tree sees just a bit of light. Perhaps what gives this image the greatest sense of depth is how the distant mountains are in shade from a cloud, but the horizon has such a wonderful gradient. I don't think I would have thought to place the cloud so near the top of the frame -- it's that sort of "rule breaking" that really makes this image work so well. It's unconventional, yet classic -- very well done.

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 29, 2014 at 7:52 AM

Sounds like Texas about now

This is outstanding, I think you finally found that comp you were after.
Love the rays of sunlight beneath the ridge of clouds, & this spotlit effect on the juniper FG.
Wonderful image Gary, you da man!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 29, 2014 at 4:26 PM

Hi Gary, This is great looking b&w image. Gotta love those rays of light and I really like the twisted tree trunk and what it adds to the image. Larger version is especially nice to look at!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on July 29, 2014 at 10:21 PM

You're braver than I Gary. If I don't get out at the crack of dawn, I rarely go out in that 300 degree heat. I like the detail. Is it possible to get closer to the old Juniper?

On this particular image, I think I would crop the cloud even tho' it's a cool cloud cause it takes the eye away from the old tree.

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on August 11, 2014 at 5:17 PM

Love this Gary.........

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments