Landscape - 1st Place

Gallery: EPA 2016Posted June 18, 20161,092 views17 comments

Phantasm

I was treated to some amazing conditions on a birthday trip to Central Utah. I've got a lot to process, but this one is my favorite so far.

iso 100, 70-200 @200mm, f/8, 1/320

Your comments and critiques are very much appreciated.

Better large

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on June 18, 2016 at 2:06 AM

I can see why this is your favorite, Gary. A little crop off the top, to where the darker part of the cloud just starts.

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

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on June 18, 2016 at 5:39 AM

Wicked cool catch! Could go heavier on the contrast in the sky (dehaze in LR?). Love this one though. Awesome.

aF

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

Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on June 18, 2016 at 11:08 AM

Those are some awesome atmospherics. The simplified comp. with only a thin slice of land works great and does not detract from the amazing sky. Very well done!

Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on June 18, 2016 at 12:04 PM

Gary: not sure if "really cool" is a valid term for critiquing a photo, but when I opened the thumbnail, that's what popped into my head. Congrats!! Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on June 18, 2016 at 3:27 PM

Nice sky over the sliver of land. My tastes for B&W would be to add some more contrast to ramp up the drama in the sky.

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

Comment posted by John Williams on June 18, 2016 at 6:03 PM

This is just outstanding art Gary. I almost never like slivers of land in images, but as we all know sometimes breaking the rule has the opposite effect. This is a striking example of that, where it sets the contrast for the surreal virga. devil

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on June 18, 2016 at 7:14 PM

Interesting comp using just the sliver of land, Gary. Works well because of everything going on in the sky. I like it.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 18, 2016 at 7:43 PM

Gary, this is simply incredible. Wow. To me, this is jaw-dropping amazing, especially when viewing the larger image. The light on these clouds and on that strip of land glows with a luminous quality that captivates the viewer. Love everything about this, Gary; another masterful black and white image. Stunning art, in my opinion.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 19, 2016 at 9:40 AM

Outstanding, Gary! What a great mysterious mood. I might be inclined to take a little off the top, but that is getting pretty dang picky. I like this a lot.

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

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on June 19, 2016 at 10:52 AM

i like the minimalist comp and feel to this a lot. Wicked cool storm... I agree with Aaron about a bit more contrast to the sky.

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

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on June 20, 2016 at 11:32 AM

Wow, what an impressive foreboding cloud, well captured and presented. This clearly needs to be really large!

Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 20, 2016 at 12:55 PM

I love the simplicity and impact of your image Gary. Amazing conditions rendered well in B&W.

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

Comment posted by Sairam Sundaresan on June 20, 2016 at 5:39 PM

Very beautiful image Gary. I might be tempted to go a little more heavier on the contrasts in the sky. I'd also suggest cropping some of the top off just to where the fun cloud starts.

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

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on June 21, 2016 at 9:58 AM

A beauty, great present for you! The comp is very nice, maybe wish there was a little more land at the bottom for a base and possibly a hair less sky at top. Processing looks fine, as you definitely have mastered the BW. I might try for richer blacks in the sky, just depends on the emotion you want to convey. Big sky out your way.

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

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on June 22, 2016 at 2:17 PM

WOW Gary,

This is just AWESOME for my tastes. The is a simple Drama about this image that is really a treat to enjoy. There is great sense of wide open spaces, with some awesome elements that really grabs the spirit. The conversion looks great to me!

Fine Art you have here Gary

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 28, 2016 at 11:36 PM

Sweet image with great sky. Needs a bit of leveling,
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on January 17, 2017 at 10:36 AM

Gary: I've always admired your work in B&W and its great to see you recognized with this image. Just the right amount of FG and also it goes to show that superb photography isn't dependent on great landforms and/or colors. Superbly crafted image worthy indeed of EPA honors. Congratulations.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments