Frozen Horseshoe

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 11, 2015434 views13 comments

Sony A700
Sony SAL 16-50 @ 16mm
ISO 200, 1/30 @ f8

I posted this originally in the Weekly Challenge since it was taken New Year's day but wanted to get your thoughts on what I think is a pretty uncommon view of the icon. I also made a few processing adjustments. Some had recommended less sky but the horizon really did blend in with the low clouds which were still showering snow and to me it helps convey the cold, which it certainly was! The rim was ice covered except for a very few places where the rock was exposed. I found one small bare patch and inched the unextended tripod up to the edge and shot from my knees. I'm glad there are no railings but it is a touch intimidating. All comments welcome. >=))>

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on January 11, 2015 at 8:09 PM

Beautiful, Bill! I grew up in AZ and then returned often during my early years in photography. We made a point of visiting this and other areas in northern AZ each trip, but I sure never caught this! It is a very striking and unique image.

I'm a little torn on your dilemma re including the sky or not, but I think after playing with "browser crops" I lean toward a narrower aspect ratio without any sky (or even any snow at top)...just seems more dramatic to me. In any event, it's a great-looking view of an often-photographed spot (totally know what you mean re railing and being intimidating at the edge!).

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 11, 2015 at 8:28 PM

Really unique image - And I kind of like the fact that it's not a stitch of a bunch of photos to get some insane 180* view corrected for distortion etc. etc. The exposure appears to be very difficult and it appears that the sky is clipped and the river is almost blocked out in some placed. I would try and tease a little more detail out of the river - but also would like to see a B&W conversion (or maybe sepia?)

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on January 11, 2015 at 8:39 PM

Super unique conditions but shot doesnt do anything for me. Needs much better light. Maybe try b/w ?

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on January 11, 2015 at 10:33 PM

I think that the soft merging of snow into sky works beautifully!! It is very different from the many other photographs of this iconic place.

Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on January 11, 2015 at 10:57 PM

Love this snowny take of Horseshoe Bend. Don't think I have ever seen a winter view of this place Bill. Very special capture.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on January 12, 2015 at 9:17 AM

Bill you captured this landscape in unique conditions.....I thnik it lacks a bit of interesting light. But what I love is the color contrast. It's quiet different from the so many other images you see of this place

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 12, 2015 at 9:51 AM

Bill, It is very cool seeing this place in these conditions. For me the snow and cloud blend at the top works quite nice. I could see trying to tone down the brightest areas (center front snow and across the top) a little more. Cool Shot!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Carey Closs on January 12, 2015 at 12:36 PM

Bill, it's a compelling scene and the presence of the snow is a nice change from other images I have seen of this location but as some have mentioned, the light isn't the greatest. I think increasing the brightness and saturation in the water might make this image pop a lot more along with some selective dodging and burning on the canyon walls.

Registered on April 15, 2012, 107 Posts, 326 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on January 12, 2015 at 5:32 PM

Hi Bill,

I see what you are saying at the top of the image, but it is a little bright up there for me. I would like to experiment with bringing the brightness down in the sky just a bit. On to the rest of the beautiful image. I love the contrasts the snow has created in this scene with the canyon walls. The view is beautiful Bill, and I am glad you were safe at the edge of the cliff.

I think B&W is a fabulous suggestion

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on January 12, 2015 at 9:50 PM

It sure is intimadating along that edge and with snow and ice

I like the shot, Bill, just because it such a unique circumstance. When I was there last it was 15 degrees, but no snow.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 13, 2015 at 12:50 PM

I like the image with the snow. I do wish the water wasn't cut off on the bottom. Yep, been there an that drop is pretty intimidating!! I'm not wild about the sky.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on January 13, 2015 at 2:04 PM

Jeez, thought I'd commented on this (then I realized that I had, only in a different gallery...

). I like this version without the foreground ledge. The contrast between the red rocks and all of the snow looks great to me and I like how it fades into the distance up top with the snow blending into the clouds.

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

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on January 14, 2015 at 11:17 PM

Fabulous conditions!

I do wish it was wider angle.

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments