this morning at Vedauwoo

Hi everyone. I ran out to Vedauwoo this morning for a brief photo shoot and wanted to post a few of the better ones. The beetle kill is becoming more and more obvious every time I visit Vedauwoo, but for now most trees and surviving. The first and third pictures were shot atop a rocky overlook that requires a series of death-defying jumps and scrambles. These were both 3-shot Photomatix HDR blends. The second was taken handheld lying on my back and looking more or less straight up, in a spot between a large boulder and cliff too narrow for a tripod.

Choose your own title for this one

#1 is very sweet, #2 almost looks like it's alive.

#3

All three images are pretty fine Brett, my favourite is #3 though!. I really like the light, colours and formations in #3. #1 looks to me like you could maybe take away a little magenta from the sky blue (may also just be an illusion due to the clouds?), but I like that one with the moon!.

All three are very good! I would vote for #3 but I have to say that #2 is very unique..great light and detail of the lichen.

The light in #1 is incredible. I also like the comp in #3. Thanks for sharing these.

Nice stuff, Brett! The 3D effect in 1 and 3 is just incredible. You're way better with Photomatix than I am. Maybe you should post a tutorial!
#2 reminds me of something. Can't quite put my finger on it.

#1 is awesome. Beautiful light. But after I started scrolling down, I lost all hope of seriously critiquing these. Now I'm starting to see naughty stuff in all them.

1 and 3 are excellent, but my wife caught me looking at #2 for a long time, so I don't think I'm allowed on this site anymore.

#1 and #3 are my clear favorites, although I do like #2.
These are all outstanding examples of how well a subtle touch with HDR processing works.

Thanks for the great feedback! Nick, I think you're dead on about the magenta in the sky in #1. After much thought about a title for my second image for my website, and the vetoing of several titles by my wife, I've gone with "Mother Nature." Cop-out, I know. I note for anyone whose interested, my workflow involves importing 3 RAW files shot 2 EV apart into Photomatix, and using the "details enhancer" tool to blend the images. For some reason, the processed and saved file in Photomatix doesn't look exactly like the preview seen while using the details enhancer tool. I then open the 16-bit TIFF image in Photoshop and make adjustments using the levels, color balance, and selective color tools. Lastly, I open the Photoshop edited file in DxO Optics Pro which I find incredibly helpful for adding the right amount of contrast while preserving the desired highlight and shadow detail. It's a bit of pain but this seems to best way I've found of combining the strengths of these programs.

All three are superb!

Great stuff! #2 could be titled "Detail, Jabba the Hut."

Some really nice images Brett, all so different but beautifully captured. The first shot is my favorite, great rock and the moon just makes the shot, well done.

Brett,

What are you doing to me here? As moderator I have to keep this a family oriented site.

I love #1. Your post processing techniques are terrific and may merit me taking a trip north of our border for a tutorial. Great job!

RichieV

Richie, you're always welcome (and encouraged) to head up here for a photo shoot, processing get-together, or cookout. I apologize for dirtying up the site. In my defense, I just thought it was a pretty rock formation. You guys are the ones with dirty minds.

All three are very nice. I really enjoy #1.

Fantastic! All of them are outstanding and it would be hard to pick a fave.

Really love that first one, such gorgeous soft light. Number 3 is my second favorite, nicely composed.

Those are all just fantastic. Great color, light, and comps. The wonderful color in #1 makes it my fave.

Pretty stuff, Brett! I especially like #3. Im a bit dissapointed in Todd's title choice for #2, but hey you can't have it all...

Great shapes and lines, nice find on #2.