Landscape - 1st HM

Gallery: EPA 2015Posted February 26, 2015982 views32 comments

Speed Demon (+)

Iconic location, but it was my first time, and I loved being out there under the stars. This is a "focus stack" of 5 exposures to try to bring out the interesting patterns in the playa. The terrain images were captured about 45 minutes after sunset, then I waited about 3 hours to capture the stars (less vibrant part of Milky Way), and blended them together. The glow on the horizon is light pollution from Las Vegas hitting the low clouds in the distance.

Specific question: The bright star in the upper right - do you like it there or would you clone it out? Or shrink it? I was thinking it works as a kind of counter-anchor for the foreground rock, but what are your thoughts?

Comments

32 comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 26, 2015 at 7:41 PM

Jared, This is really cool looking. I love the patterns, textures and detail you have along with the wonderful color. That blue tone works so nice here. My personal taste would be without the bright star. When I try and cover it the mood comes out much better for me. Nice work on this!!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by D.A. Edwards on February 26, 2015 at 7:44 PM

Just fantastic, Jared. I think the star is fine although I might try and make it rounder if possible but I agree it's a good counterpoint to the rock. I love how the rock's track and the Milky Way have the same angle and gap in the middle. I might clone away that one imperfection about half way out the track on the left side. Anyway....

Registered on October 8, 2014, 226 Posts, 1187 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Falley on February 26, 2015 at 7:51 PM

The star/planet? If it is in the sky, leave it! My preferences tend to not moving the pyramids around, or obliterating a whole distant world. Rather amazing how the wind can blow these across the lake bed when the muddiness reduces the friction.

Interesting and effective image!

Registered on November 21, 2014, 189 Posts, 454 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on February 26, 2015 at 8:05 PM

This is very cool. It's definitely a different take on an icon and you've done a fine job. The 'star' is Venus. It should remain, but you could clone out some of the surrounding airglow to tone it down a bit.

Well done!

--P

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

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on February 26, 2015 at 8:51 PM

Superb photo Jared, very neatly done. Looks great front to back. I am not a fan of cloning so would go with DA's suggestion regarding the bright star.

Cheers, Gary.

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

Comment posted by Ken Smith on February 26, 2015 at 8:59 PM

The colors and details…those shadowed textured surfaces are terrific. I am either / or about the star. Wondering about brightening the left corner of the rock and foreground in front of it in the llc. Wonderful photo!

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on February 26, 2015 at 10:41 PM

Very nice Jared. I have no suggestions but to enjoy. The silvery blue on the playa is great!

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

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on February 26, 2015 at 11:47 PM

This is a really great night scape. I really appreciate the reality of the capture. The sky is actually black, not blue or warm. And the racetrack is a silvery blue which is very much like the light you see at night when the moon is out. I am of the opinion that the bright star adds very little and would clone it out. The only suggestion would be to lighten up the near foreground to match the luminosity of the more distant racetrack.

I like the warm tones on the horizon. I think they add a lot. I think this image would have been great even without the moving rock.

Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on February 27, 2015 at 12:35 AM

Hey Jared. As I mentioned on fb, really love this image. The track and the Mw are so perfect together and really serve as the main interest for me. The graphic quality is really off of the charts. I also love the sheen on the playa, it looks very naturally lit from the moonlight. I personally would not do too much to Venus. To be honest I think it's too much manipulation than I would prefer but besides that, I think it's an awesome sight to capture, especially in camera (inter planetary photography?? come on) I could see some slight cloning on the edges to make it more of an orb and leas elongated though.

Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on February 27, 2015 at 12:38 AM

Jared, you are becoming the Milky Way man. I love the fact that you are able to stay out this late in such a remote spot. Although the racetrack is often photographed, I've yet to see this type of shot. You are very adept at visualizing these night shots and technically pulling them off. I also love the the reptilian texture of the playa in this light. Personally I am in the camp of cloning Venus out of this shot. It adds little in my opinion, and the shot is sooo much better without it. Beautiful work my friend.

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

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on February 27, 2015 at 2:02 AM

I would leave it in....
By far, not even close, the best photo I have ever seen from this location.
Congrats on making the trip to this remote spot and obviously staying the night.
Dedication or just fun, a very cool thing to do......

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

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on February 27, 2015 at 2:14 AM

That is wickedly beautiful! My only nit is the planet, it looks a bit too big for a wide angle shot. Removing is not an option I think, and it's a nice detail, so maybe make it a bit smaller in stead? Nice work!

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 27, 2015 at 11:12 AM

This is a fine capture, Jared. Yes, the shape similarity between the track and the Milky Way works very well. The light pollution gives a sense of sunrise/sunset that I think adds nicely. That super bright "star" adds a presence that balances nicely with the rock but at the same time pulls attention from the star field. After some time looking, I think cloning that star out is an improvement.

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on February 27, 2015 at 11:27 AM

Wonderful results but I would remove the distracting star(to me).

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

Comment posted by Thomas Haney on February 27, 2015 at 1:55 PM

Great shot Jared! There's so many aspects of photography that need to be mastered to pull off a shot like this. I love the composition, and especially the dodging and burning that highlights the "racetrack" left by the rock, I think it takes the image to another level. I would leave Venus myself, but would perhaps look to tone it down just a bit. Great work.

Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on February 27, 2015 at 3:37 PM

Outstanding mood and feel. The lit foreground contrasts beautifully with the orange in the sky.
The parallel line to the left is evidence of the race.

I would remove the bright spot in the sky.

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Warren on February 27, 2015 at 5:42 PM

Thanks for the feedback and kind words. So as of now I count 7 votes for cloning out the star, 4 for leaving as is, 4 for rounding or reducing, and 1 undecided/doesn't matter. I was hoping for a stronger consensus, guys.

Here's a version with it cloned out (I'll work on a reduced/reshaped star as well). Does the comparison view change things for anyone? By the way, the star is Sirius, which (I just learned by looking it up) is the brightest star in our night sky. I presume its brightness is a little amplified in this image (and shape elongated) due to the wide-angle distortion. Thanks again for the comments and feedback!

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

Comment posted by Jeff Martyka on February 27, 2015 at 6:14 PM

I love the silvery blue metallic feel of this. Ridiculously gorgeous presentation.

I'd prefer Sirius downgraded on its brightness and shape.

If you decide to take out the star, I'd also go another step graphically and make the line between the playa and the mountains perfectly straight. There are a few rocks here and there in the distance that keep that from happening.

Registered on June 20, 2014, 30 Posts, 155 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on February 27, 2015 at 6:54 PM

Now that I see it without, I think it looks better.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 27, 2015 at 7:19 PM

Jared, The repost works perfectly for me. The distraction is gone and the mood enhanced for me. Just my personal taste on this one. Usually I'm not one for cloning things out...but that was my first thought and seeing it in the repost certainly works for me.

Nick

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on February 27, 2015 at 8:13 PM

I voted for the removal and I prefer that version. It's really up to you and your presentation. I have no qualms about removing distractions. You have a clear home run either way.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 28, 2015 at 12:15 AM

I seldom comment on star shots because most are done rather poorly IMHO, but I really like this. I love the sharpness of the FG and surrounding playa, and doesn't look like the playa was shot at 3:00 in the afternoon like some many do. I would definitely clone the star out as it's distracting in my view. All in all, a very beautiful capture!

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

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on February 28, 2015 at 4:25 PM

Very nice work

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 28, 2015 at 6:04 PM

Really beautiful and the repost definitely works for me. Count me in the cloning camp. Excellent work.

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

Comment posted by Ed Williams on February 28, 2015 at 11:38 PM

Looks like a book cover Jared. I agree with the recomp looking better without the too bright planet. Incredible color and detail in this and fantastic composition. Sci-Fi anyone? What planet were you on anyway?

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on March 1, 2015 at 6:30 AM

Excellent Jared with or without star.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on March 6, 2015 at 2:01 PM

Ya killed this. Best I've seen from here ever.

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 7, 2015 at 10:10 AM

Awesome capture. Would not change a thing. Congrats on the weekly pick.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on March 7, 2015 at 3:24 PM

Congratulations on the WP, Jared. Really an amazing image.

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on January 10, 2016 at 5:03 PM

Jared: Congrats on the EPA. This is a wonderful shot of a place I really want to see for myself. I was planning on getting out there on a visit to Death Valley this past October but heavy rains prevented us from accessing that part of the park. Oh well, a good reason to go back. I do prefer your repost with the star cloned out. Superbly crafted image.>=))>