Delicate Light

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 27, 2014223 views8 comments

I know this icon has been shot to death, but not by me

When I was here during sunset with another half a million people, we had the worst colorless sunset one can imagine. It was cloudy, and then cloudy some more.

There was one brief moment during this time when the sky opened up and a patch of sunlight illuminated the top of the arch.

While, this isn't a unique comp or anything, it's the best moment I have of shooting this icon.

Your comments and critiques are much appreciated.

Please see larger version

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on November 27, 2014 at 10:26 PM

I like the sky in this image, it really sets of the arch. I like this image. Icon or not, a good image is a good image. I also like the completion.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on November 28, 2014 at 9:52 AM

It's a good view of this icon but I'm not sure about the 50:50 horizon split...depends on what you're trying to show. If you want to emphasize the arch, I think cropping about half of the sky and bringing out more texture/contrast in the foreground rock would work better. The kiss of light on the top of the arch is a nice touch.

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

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on November 28, 2014 at 10:50 AM

Sairam,

Very nice capture and excllent sky. I'm shooting icons to and have been waiting for a decade to be able to, (retirement) so I agree with Richard that a good image is a good image. There's a reason these are iconic scenes.

I do agree with Scott about the 50/50 sky/earth split. I'd probably be inclined to crop most of the fg away given how nice the sky is and given the quality of detail you captured in the arch.

pat

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on November 28, 2014 at 2:29 PM

You really got this icon with a great sky, Sairam, and very fortunate to frame it without the hordes of people. Others may not agree but for me the balance between sky and subject is well composed.

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

Comment posted by Jared Warren on November 28, 2014 at 2:50 PM

Sairam, in spite of the lack of cloud color, I really like the glow on the top of the arch.

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

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on November 29, 2014 at 12:31 PM

I like the subtle nature of the light in this image. The subtle blues really complement the reds in the sandstone and help to direct the viewers' attention to Delicate Arch. I'm not bothered by the 50/50 comp. I think that's because I really like the blue at the top of the frame. I tried scroll cropping and really prefer the full frame comp. I don't see cropping the bottom of the frame either because I like the lines in the sandstone that lead to the arch. I would say this is a fine exception to the rule of thirds.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with shooting icons - shoot what you enjoy!!

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

Comment posted by Sairam Sundaresan on November 30, 2014 at 8:46 PM

Thanks everyone!

I tried cropping the frame, but leaving the blue portion of the sky out seems to take the contrast out of this image.

Registered on March 14, 2013, 100 Posts, 643 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on November 30, 2014 at 9:22 PM

I like this image of the icon Sairam, and you captured a beautiful contrasting sky plays nicely with the orange/red sandstone. The comp works for me as well, but I do think a close up portrait of the arch could be a very strong image too.

Good work as is

Registered on February 20, 2007, 226 Posts, 4571 Comments