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Hance Canyon
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Hance Canyon

by Harry Lichtman

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 10, 2017236 views19 comments
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I was influenced in my processing by  some of the classic BW images that I remember seeing early on in my life that made me pursue photography. Probably Ansel Adams and Phillip Hyde.  This is  a slight crop, mostly off the bottom.  The original had much more of the lower canyon, and while it was very impactful to me when I took the shot, it seems a cropped version my be of more interest to a viewer of the image.  Conversion in PS CS6. Polarizing filter.

Special thanks to fellow NPNer Thomas Haney who recommended hiking the Horseshoe Plateau area and led to me finding this comp.  In the distance is Vishnu Temple.

Comments

19 comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on March 10, 2017 at 2:23 PM
Wow! This is eye-popping quality. Why is it that recently all the best images seem to be in b&w? What a sky. An Ansel sky. This has a lot of emotional impact that's conveyed through the rich arrangement of tones. As a composition it works well because you have that inner canyon leading forward to the distant spires. The proportion of sky to land is perfect yet I personally would like the image to be still a bit wider proportionally compared to height. Despite your cropping it still feels squeezed in from the sides a bit. I would try to get this into a 4x5 format if possible, but only if nothing else is compromised because the image is pretty close to perfect IMO.
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on March 10, 2017 at 2:32 PM
Harry,

Fabulous b&w from a grand vantage point - I can see you being very grateful for the tip to go to this spot.  And without even seeing your original, I pretty sure you made a great choice on the crop.  I do see Igor's comment about wanting a bit more width, but it's not hurting anything from my perspective.

The only suggestion I have would be a slight pop in contrast in the mid-canyon area. The foreground where the river winds through is just right. Minor, minor.

Great work!

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Richter on March 10, 2017 at 2:34 PM
A stunning image for me, Harry. You give me a great sense of depth and scale. The elements at the bottom, especially the river, introduce me in an appealing way into the composition. The diverse intersected layers lead me into the distance and keep my attention within the frame. Finally the sky counteracts the landscape well to my eye. Great b&w presentation of this impressive scene for me.

Peter
Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on March 10, 2017 at 3:48 PM
Igor - here is a 4x5 crop from the original.
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on March 10, 2017 at 4:32 PM
With your permission, Harry, allow me to do a screen dump and experiment with this great image. 
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Lowe on March 10, 2017 at 5:11 PM
This is a superbly crafted B&W image, Harry. I love the range of tones along with the interplay of light and shadow in this scene; all topped off with those amazing clouds. Looks like you brought back several beautiful images from the Grand Canyon.

Ed.
Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments
Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on March 10, 2017 at 5:16 PM
Harry, the 4x5 crop is gorgeous!!
Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on March 10, 2017 at 5:22 PM
I can't come up with anything better, Harry. That 4x5 is about as good as it gets IMO. Marvelous work.
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by Dave Dillemuth on March 10, 2017 at 5:31 PM
This is superb, Harry. The clarity and depth are amazing and the texture and tonality in clouds is tremendous. IMO the crop works as well as the original - no better, just a different version. Processing looks spot-on.
Registered on December 10, 2015, 104 Posts, 1112 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on March 10, 2017 at 8:45 PM
Harry,

4x5 ratio/crop..... Awesome.  I get more of a sense of grandness.  Thanks for posting.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Gavin on March 10, 2017 at 8:56 PM
Original; Doesn't get any better than this; wait; doesn't get any better than that (4 X 5). Remarkable.
Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments
Comment posted by gary phillips on March 10, 2017 at 10:02 PM
Exceptional, Harry.  Like Igor said, doesn't get much better that this.  The repost gave it the space it needed.  Just a super image.
Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on March 11, 2017 at 8:55 AM
Excellent, Harry. No nits from me whatsoever. devil
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on March 11, 2017 at 9:42 AM
Beautiful classic B&W. Wonderful depth to the image as the landscape seems to go on forever. The repost works for me (but then so does the original). 
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on March 11, 2017 at 6:24 PM
Harry, both versions work for me. The OP accentuates the verticality of the canyon walls, and the 4x5 crop shows the spaciousness of the canyon. Either way, both are superb.
--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on March 12, 2017 at 3:36 AM
Awesome spot and great conditions.  Love it.

aF
Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 12, 2017 at 2:20 PM
This looks great, Harry.  Tons of detail even as you completely fill the dynamic range.  Both the sky and the long view along the canyon create a wonderful sense of depth.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 12, 2017 at 11:48 PM
Superb tones, clouds, peaks, valleys...  couldnt be better.
sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by John Williams on March 13, 2017 at 8:40 PM
Fabulous lines Harry. The sky you caught works oh so well with the BW. Just an outstanding vertical of this great area.
Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments