Water Hole

Gary, a wild looking scene. Between the split level(s) view here and the almost infrared looking foliage upfront its tempting to eye wander just a bit, but in a good way.......
The water FG adds another dimension to this arid region take overall. Nice work.......

Good luck on the relocation project albeit a somewhat disappointing departure from a landscape photographers paradise there in S.Utah.......

 

Gary,  I think this works quite nice as you have it and I especially like your processing and what looks like infrared. It may not be but does have that look to me. The image is really interesting to look at and I really like the fine detail and the reflections are wonderful. As I look at it I keep wondering what it would be like if all the trees on the right edge were cropped off, then cropped in on the left side a little closer to the trees, then crop all the way down to the dark background trees ending up with mostly those highlighted trees and reflections. Lots of cropping which I usually don't like to do but I just wonder how it would look. Not to replace this image because I like it, just a whole new version of it. Just thinking out loud... Nick
Good luck on your move! 

I am really liking the lighting and scene, but the cutoff right bush is throwing me off. I was thinking of a right crop to eliminate the cutoff bush, then a little cleanup to give the right edge some margin. Reading the comments, it seems Nick had a similar idea. The concept is working quite well for me overall. 

Good luck with all the move "stuff". I will miss your amazing house (and guest room) in beautiful Ivins! What a spot, but life moves on. It will be nice to be close to family. 

Gary, the brightness of the foreground shrubs and their reflections is a great attention getter.  Then, the subtle shrubbery behind them and the rugged land behind add well to the visual interplay, making for a very dynamic view.  I think the strong asymmetry adds nicely to the dynamic viewing.  I'm sure you'll find lots to photograph in the areas surrounding Phoenix, but we'll sure miss your S. Utah landscapes.

Gary, I'm going to be as honest and truthful as I expect everyone to be with my posts. I'm not liking the RH bush at all. I think Nick has hit on the right idea with his crop suggestion, though I might be tempted to leave a little more on the tio than he would. Everything else is fantastic. The light, the concept, the reflection, the processing, the vision and subject are all first rate.

I forgot to mention that even with the crop, you'd probably still have to do some cloning and patching to completely get rid of the bush.

This is one of the few times I enjoyed the small photo over the large.
On my computer the whites are a bit too bright in the Large version.
Since I think the large version is probably more your intent, my preference would be to cut back the contrast and lower the whites...
Nice to try something different!

Those trees are spooky and engaging. Maybe feels like they have to compete a bit with the background.  The textured land draws the eye quite a bit.

On my computer the whites are a bit too bright in the Large version.

I agree with this statement. The lack of any detail in the bone white bush isn't working for me. I always had difficulty with those infrared images even thought many felt them meaningful. 
 

Ah, that's some fun light!  I think the mull is worth it.  There is something odd about the comp that doesnt seem balanced to me.  Maybe try a 1:2 crop?   Still weighted right but think that helps a bit perhaps.  Good luck w the house :)

aF

It may be out there a little, but it is always a good thing to think outside of the box, Gary. I love the light on the bushes as it gives them a wonderful luminance against the darker BG. I agree with the crop suggestion of the bush on the right side. Good luck on the move and I will miss your S Utah images although I am sure you will find some wonderful stuff in your new area.

Ed

There is a fine juxtaposition of elements here that makes the picture so enjoyable. The rugged landscape in the background vs the fine vegetation. The light also contributes toward this effect. A somber image but one that immediately demonstrates the sensitive eye of the artist behind its making. I wish most photographs of this nature were presented here on NPN.