Edit: Please see repost below for added saturation.
This is another image from my trip to the Grand Canyon last December. My first attempt at processing this ended up being too contrasty so I let it simmer for a while. I was feeling a little more restraint with the sliders tonight so I decided to see if it was ready. I think the flavor has really come through now with all of that simmering!
Besides the blistering wind, what I remember most was the mood created by the slightly cool blue tones in the clouds and the subtle dappled light on the canyon. I think this is a mood that is not often captured in the photos that I have seen of the canyon, and I hope that it shows through in this image. I'm particularly fond of this location in the canyon and I was glad to have finally come away with an image from this location after several attempts earlier in the trip.
Capture Info:
25 mm
f/16 @ 1/20 sec. ISO 100
Processing Info:
The usual suspects of luminosity masks to boost contrast in the midtones and lights as well as a focused vibrance mask. I used a color balance adjustment to dial in just the right amount of warmth while still maintaining the subtle blue tones that I remember in the clouds. Finally I used TK's clarity action to bring out more of the texture in the canyon walls.
Comments
10 commentsI love the canyon for its bold and sweeping scenes, and this captures it nicely. I didn't play with landscapes when I lived in AZ; I need to go back more
It's easy enough to transition between the larger version view and the second posted scene for final thoughts. I do prefer the second saturation level, but then I shoot nothing but Velvia 50. So it's a natural for me to lean toward the "pop" mode of an image. Overall it's not an exact science when post processing images and or a final web post either. Lots of factors vary the outcomes. With that said both images are excellent IMVHO.......
I really like this view, and yes, Grand Indeed! I liked the first image but after seeing the bit more saturated second one I do like it even better. I really like the conditions and feel you captured here and what an impressive view this is. Nice work!
Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.
Ed