Last Light

Beautiful light indeed, Lon. The side lighting has created some lovely details which standout rather nicely in the large version along with some subtle shadows creating some nice depth to this image. Your focus stack looks great. I also like the earth tones in this scene. Did you happen to move to the left and get some images? I ask because I could also see this working without the bush along the left side toward the top. Great stuff either way.

Ed

Real nice light and high desert scene. I find the top of the image is pulling my attention out of the scene, so I might consider a crop of maybe 1/3 of the space between the top of the top big bush and the top edge. 

Oh yeah, this is a great example of the beauty of last light, and how to show off that beauty by finding darker areas to contrast with the warm highlights (and that includes the grasses as well as the larger plants).  Nice use of the power of three, too.

I really like the low-angle light on the vegetation and placement of the brush.  I'm a little on the fence with all the bare earth in the foreground and might consider a crop off the bottom.  These are difficult shots and overall I like this one.  

The light and detail in the large version have a lot to offer.  I enjoy looking over the semi-barren ground surrounding the main elements; kinda reminds me of one of Paul B's shot in that aspect.  As nice as the light and detail are, the composition is leaving me less thrilled, but I really don't have any suggestions to make in better.  The part that doesn't thrill me is the background grasses; they distract me.  I would somehow love for the image to just focus on the main elements and surrounding barren area, perhaps thru a tightly controlled DoF or something, or a combination of DoF and burning.  What was in the area where you were set up?  Perhaps setting up on the far side and looking back to where you were - just grasping at straws.  Anyway, beautiful subject matter and gorgeous light.

Interesting to read the comments. I would try burning in the top layer to redirect viewer to bare earth which is beautiful. I would try that before any cropping.  

Ahh, rabbit brush... imo, one of the more photogenic plants on the planet. This is very beautiful, Lon. Love the warm colors and textures. I think I'm with Igor on doing some light burning of the background to direct the eye. In any case, a lovely image.

Thank you for the comments and suggestions on this one. 

Ed, Bill, regarding the comp and the point of view, there are gobs more bushes to the left (in fact this was cropped from the left) and so moving that direction was problematic.  I think Bill I could have backed up.  But what I recall as that the light was fleeting and I moved to this location to quickly grab a comp before the light was lost.

Harley, Igor, Bill and Dave.  I hadn't considered burning the top of the image (or cropping,) but I can see the issue with the very top of the frame. This was already a crop off the top as the tufa and Mono Lake was visible in the original.  I do think a burn or additional crop is a good suggestion; I see that, so thank you.

I was more interested in the light striking the foreground grasses, then the earth itself, but the open area including the ground and light I think are important in the comp.

Thanks all!

but the open area including the ground and light I think are important in the comp.

Absolutely right.