Repost + Enlightenment

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 10, 2016177 views14 comments

This is an image I made during an epic sunset at the Grand Canyon. The sky was clear but as the sunset began to dip below the horizon, the colors that appeared on the rock surfaces were mind blowing. This is the last sliver of light that hit these amazing rocks before darkness descended.

My gripe here is that I want the image to look dark, but not crazy dark that there are no shadow detail. I looked at it in my calibrated screen and it looks just dark enough. I'm not sure if I need to brighten this one up further.

Appreciate any thoughts you have!

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on May 10, 2016 at 8:22 PM

I like this version just fine, great image! Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on May 10, 2016 at 8:41 PM

Looks perfect to me, Sairam. There is plenty of detail in the shadows of the large version and that last bit of warm light on the rock walls is stunning.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on May 10, 2016 at 9:59 PM

Looks too be plenty of detail in the shadows, but those areas seem a little to purple/magenta to me. Excellent contrast in colors. Maybe try a slight adjust similar to the other great canyon shot you posted a while back, I think.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on May 10, 2016 at 10:49 PM

Hi Sairam,

I am really digging your style of photography. I truly enjoy you vision on how to use light o emphasize structure and form. It is a very emotional response for myself, and I drawn to images with this kind of emotion in them. The image is very well conceived and executed, the light is spectacular and dances so beautifully with the subdued shadows.

Wonderful work

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

Comment posted by Vance Gese on May 10, 2016 at 11:49 PM

Fantastic touch of light image. Love your composition that so wonderfully shows the beauty of these buttes in such amazing light. Wonder if trying to decrease the magentas in the shadows might further increase the impact of that amazing light, Just a thought.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on May 11, 2016 at 9:38 AM

Beautiful light!!! Plenty of detail in the shadows for me, but like Harry, I might consider pulling down the magenta in them. Very well done.

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

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on May 11, 2016 at 11:40 AM

The dark parts look good to me on a dark background (large version!). The magenta is a bit strong for my taste, but that is a minor thing. Very nice, and it must have been even better in real life!

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on May 11, 2016 at 1:56 PM

Looks like a magical time at the Canyon's edge, Sairam. You captured the last light perfectly. I agree with a bit of magenta reduction. You are putting out some awesome images lately. Nice.

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

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on May 11, 2016 at 5:39 PM

I know that feeling of trying to process dark. Super tricky. Think it's good here. Could possibly come up just a tiny bit on the brights in the shadows. Bit too saturated for my taste, and understand how the colors shift in this scene, just seem a bit too much imo. Nice catch!

aF

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

Comment posted by Sairam Sundaresan on May 11, 2016 at 11:31 PM

Thanks all for such kind words!

Here's a repost taking in some of the feedback. I've reduced the "magenta" cast in the shadows, brightened the "brights" in the in the shadows a touch.

Better?

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

Comment posted by David Schoen on May 12, 2016 at 12:57 AM

I think the second image is an improvement for those of us who appreciate less saturation although the sunset experience in the Grand could change the minds of many. It is an easy trap to fall into because of the emotional power of such an event.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on May 12, 2016 at 5:36 PM

I'm looking at this from my iPhone so comment may or may not be appropriate. I would burn down the bright ulc as it is drawing too much attention away from the central highlighted area.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on May 12, 2016 at 8:25 PM

Very inspirational Sairam!

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

Comment posted by John Williams on May 13, 2016 at 11:23 PM

The darks get lost with the white background, but opening the large version on the darker background looks great!

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments