Sculpted

Apologies to those that may have seen an earlier version of this photograph, but I thought I’d rework and share this latest version (a two exposure blend). While it lacks a dramatic sky, I still find the collection of colors and shapes fascinating and fun to study.

The Golden Canyon is truly a wonderful place to explore for those who have never done so. The scale of these eroded cliffs and canyons is quite remarkable in person and a bit hard to judge simply looking at most images, including this one. As a point of reference, the red dirt in the fg is from the base of the Red Cathedral immediately at my back, with the Golden Canyon (Manley Beacon) making up the middle ground and the Badwater Basin and Panamint Mountain Range off in the distance.

As always, any comments, suggestions or critiques are always welcomed.

Cheers!

~Eric

Eric,

I don't recall seeing this before, so no apologies necessary. :-) I've only been to DV once - was this up and above Zabriski pt? I really like the soft light and the subtle colors here. The foreground ridge works well leading me in to the scene. Too bad about the sky, but we all know we can't always get those dramatic skies. I think you did a great job with this one.

Lon

Hi Eric

Nice textures and varied color. I hope to visit DV next month if all goes well. I see a small halo on the top left hand ridge. Perhaps next time you will get the dramatic sky you were hoping for. Nice work!

Eric,

I have never really been into desert photography. But shots like this as well as others I have seen from the Painted Hills in Oregon really appeal to me. I think it is the three dimensional layering of all the colors that I like. Nicely composed.

The one thing that is hard for me to get a sense of is scale. This is not a nit but rather something that makes me wonder when looking at the image.

Derek

Eric, I have always enjoyed shooting in this general area. Your take on this site is a bit different then most and as such provides me personally with a not too often captured spot. The sky does not bother me at all. I feel you have kept it to a minimum and it works well as it is seen here. Thinking back, I have shots from here myself that provides me with a personal history of my own photography per se. 35mm, 6x7cm, and 4x5 size formats that I have recorded from this location. I guess I'd have to say I really like it.

Good eye Mike... I kept telling myself the halo wasn't too noticeable, but it was. Sometimes converting it for the web increases the contrast and thereby any minor haloing. I think I made the necessary adjustment for the image on my site.

Lon, this was in the vicinity of Zabriskie Point. Closer to Manly Beacon in the Golden Canyon just at the base of the Red Cathedral.

Thanks all for the feedback.

Nice and different take on Z Point. It is always nice to shoot there at sunrise, as long as you can escape the crowds. Death Valley's equivilent to Tunnel View.