There Be Spectres

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 30, 2015263 views11 comments

Sony A77
Minolta 24-85
ISO 400, 8 secs @ f8

I've envied those who get to shoot slot canyons for a long time and today I got to finally see for myself. My wife and I did the iconic Upper Antelope canyon and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves despite being rushed at almost every stop. I'm a pretty methodical worker most of the time and like to look at scenes for potential comps. At least our guide was helpful in pointing out possibilities. My only attempt at creativity was a zoom while the shutter was open. All comments welcome. >=))>

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on October 31, 2015 at 12:21 AM

I like that burst of light and the spectrum of colour here. Compositionally I think having such a large area of shadow hurts the overall image. Is there any recoverable detail or perhaps a crop that might lessen its impact?

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on October 31, 2015 at 8:27 AM

This is so cool! I had no idea how you did this until I read your description. I don't think the zoom trick is that obvious as it usually is, which is a good thing. It looks more like rays of light. Very nice take on something that is of course very often shot. I do think the large piece of black is a bit too much maybe, but I think a slight crop from the top would already diminish that problem.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on October 31, 2015 at 9:08 AM

Very dreamy image!! I am usually not one for in-camera motion, etc. but this one works quite well for me.

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

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on October 31, 2015 at 10:17 AM

Hi Bill,

I like the creativity you came up with to use in the camera zoom, and I like what you have come up with. The colors in the sandstone are so beautiful, but I too think there is just a bit too much dark shadow area up top. Maybe a crop dow, or open up some of the shadow area a bit more to keep the same image dimensions.

As I explore crops, I really like this image cropped down just a bit from the top. Some beautiful work Bill.

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

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on October 31, 2015 at 3:33 PM

Quite spooky, Bill - a very dramatic effect with the zoom. The way the light seems to come out of the dark makes for an air of mystery !!

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on October 31, 2015 at 5:02 PM

A very surreal take on Antelope, Bill. I like it. Were they playing the flute when the zoom went off? sad

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on October 31, 2015 at 5:33 PM

A great concept, well executed. Kind of spooky, but I like it. It's certainly a different take on the usual slot canyon images.

--P

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

Comment posted by Basil Greber on October 31, 2015 at 9:25 PM

Works well for me. It's an interesting effect, and the result is visually pleasing. devil

Registered on November 8, 2005, 219 Posts, 1340 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on November 1, 2015 at 3:18 PM

The lighting, colors, and movement in the brighter areas are great, Bill. This looks good as presented, but I do wonder how having some detail in the black area would look. It's a good try at doing something different in an often visited place.

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

Comment posted by Marylynne Diggs on November 7, 2015 at 1:10 PM

I like this, even with the black space. It would make a nice image for using text in the black (like for a book cover!) I also scrolled a bit (just scrolled to the point where the left side diagonal can but cut off entirely), and that worked for me. You lose the ghost-like strands rising from the more solid color, but it still makes for a nice image.

Registered on December 14, 2010, 122 Posts, 1034 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on November 14, 2015 at 10:02 PM

Love it Bill...reminds me of the last time I was sucked into a black hole sad

Yoong makes a good point but it certainly isn't a deal breaker...The composition is still strong IMO. wonderful abstract.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments