Unmasked

Gallery: LandscapePosted September 17, 20174,452 views10 comments

The red rock of the Moenave formation with the white lines is quite striking. The recent trip to the desert was forecast to have clear skies, but some passing clouds 30 minutes after sunset created some interest.
Nikon D810, 14-24mm @ 17mm, 30sec, ISO 64

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on September 18, 2017 at 10:59 AM

That is a very striking formation. And the blurred clouds create a weird sense of motion. The image creates a lot of visual impact. Nicely done!

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on September 18, 2017 at 12:10 PM

Doug,

Ditto to what Harley commented on. The motion in the clouds really add to what is really a static scene. Of course the color and striking color of the red rock with white markings is the main story here.

I know you said this was after sunset, so the lighting and exposure is appropriate. I'm wondering though about dodging the foreground a bit just because it's so important to the scene. On second thought, again, the larger view kinda mitigates that.

Nicely framed with the vertical as well.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on September 18, 2017 at 12:45 PM

Those are some really interesting boulders and rock formations. Love the motion the long exposure imparts. Nicely done.

Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Harwood on September 18, 2017 at 5:55 PM

Doug, This is the kind of photo that invites "long-looking." Your mind and imagination want to linger and play with possibilities and move around the scene to consider and create a story to answer the image (like seeing the little gingerbread men we used to make). That ability to provoke story is a worthy accomplishment for any photographer in and of itself. Very artistically done. With Lon I question the foreground's need of additional dodging. Any filter on your lens? Thank you for sharing it and inviting comments.

Registered on February 4, 2015, 29 Posts, 29 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on September 18, 2017 at 6:40 PM

One person has said the white in the red Moenave rock is due to gypsum. I also read it may be due to reduction of the iron oxides.
Lon and Dave- I had added a very slight vignette to where it is barely noticeable. The lens had no filter attached.

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

Comment posted by Anil Rao on September 20, 2017 at 10:01 AM

A stark and moody image. I find that this mood is exaggerated by the movement in the clouds. The rock color goes so well with that of the sky.

very nicely done, Doug.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on September 20, 2017 at 7:03 PM

I really like this, Doug. The color contrast between the rock and the sky is wonderful. The rocks have a very lively feel that goes well with the cloud motion. Well done!
--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on September 21, 2017 at 11:28 PM

Nicely composed image and nicely captured light.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on September 25, 2017 at 9:29 AM

Doug, the long exposure works well here!
Great framing too.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on September 25, 2017 at 11:09 PM

Striking is right; those whites really pop. Nicely capture Doug.

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