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Ancient Carvings
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Ancient Carvings

by Brian Schrayer

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 14, 20173,246 views9 comments

I hope you aren't all tired of my Grand Canyon abstracts. Here is another shot taken from Pima point on the South rim on the same morning as my Light & Shadow images as well as the Grand Pastels Image.  This was taken in between those shots when the light was more diffused compared to the Light & Shadow images. 

I was looking for ways to incorporate the s-curve in the Colorado River Gorge into a composition. 

I processed this in both color and B&W and I'm curious if you have a preference for one over the other. As always all comments and critiques are welcome.  crying

Capture Info:
38mm
f/16 @ 1/3 sec
ISO 100

Processing Info:
Levels Adjustment to set black and white points, TK's luminosity masks, vibrance masks, and luminosity painting technique.  The B&W image was processed separately. 

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on January 14, 2017 at 2:33 PM
And here is the B&W
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 14, 2017 at 3:42 PM
Brian,

I've really been enjoying your intimate views of the Canyon and NO, not tired of them. :-)  I do tire of standard pt-n-shoot views of the Grand Canyon - unless of course there's a dramatic storm, light or a double rainbow.

I also like you seeking out the s-curve.  It's very subtle here, but the Colorado actually kinda anchors the scene here. And as I look at this, there are all kinds of curves and lines throughout.  Excellent vision and comp.

B&W not doing much for me.  The upper part lacks contrast and too bright for my taste.  Which when I go back to the color, I think you could possibly burn down the cliff faces up top as well as it's just slightly bright and lacks a tiny bit of contrast. Not much mind you.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Kearl on January 14, 2017 at 3:44 PM
I like the color version way better. It looks like fine worn leather....
Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on January 14, 2017 at 8:09 PM
I vote for the colored version as well. Not only between the two, but the best of all your GC images. The light here gives this one substance that the harsher light and the more saturated images lack. This may be the ideal light conditions for this place. The more subtle shadows slowly transforming to brightness works so well, but the lighter ridges rising above the shadows creates great separation. The only thing I would darken at the very top is that small bluish area just behind the furthest sharp peak. This needs a good lens to show all the fine detail. Great job.
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by Genny K. on January 14, 2017 at 10:20 PM
I definitely prefer the color version.  The river pulls this together and adds to the overall depth of the image.  The fact that you only see a small part of the river actually adds to the mystery for me.
Maybe it could be just a tiny bit darker? To make it easier to see some of the more distant canyons?  Just a thought, and I like it as is.  Very nice to look at; there are interesting things everywhere in this.
Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments
Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on January 15, 2017 at 12:13 AM
Gorgeous shot blushof the detail in the bottom 2/3 of photo.  But, IMO, the top 1/4 could be cropped or darkened....It doesn't add much to the photo, except to show the scale....
I think the FG should be the focal point for the photo.  The structures give it a lot of "action" to play with.  There are great curves and angles and great depth, that could be brought out with some selective shading and sharpening.
 You could make it appear, as if some light were coming up the canyon from the BL...illuminating the incredible structure in both the canyon and on the plateau on the BR.

This photo has a lot of potential in the FG.  As a geologist, I love all the "twists and turns".  If you could get the color version to your liking...then the BW version would surely be a standout, too....Although, I'm sure to prefer the range and depth of red in a color version. 
Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Sandor on January 15, 2017 at 10:43 AM
What's not to like about a photo that shows the grandness of the Grand Canyon. The diagonal that the deepest part of the canyon makes sets this photo apart and seeing even a bit of the Colorado is a big plus. Well done! I prefer the color version. Richard
Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on January 15, 2017 at 1:58 PM
Excellent, Brian. Beautiful GC image. The light is not dramatic but is really excellent for bringing out the dramatic form, shapes, and details of the incredible landscape.  
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 19, 2017 at 4:27 PM
Breathtaking scenery for sure.  I definitely prefer the color version, and especially the large version.  So much detail and beauty.  Truly amazing for someone like me who's never been fortunate enough to actually visit the GC.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments