Grand Gulch Kiva

This weekend I did a 3 day, 25 mile loop hike through Grand Gulch, in Cedar Mesa, SE Utah. There are lots of ancient ruins in that region; I saw over a dozen sites during my hike. This was my favorite though; an intact kiva set up in a high alcove. I went up there for some sunset/dusk/night shots, and here's the results.

This first one was taken at late dusk, with just a slight amount of artificial light used for the foreground ruin walls.

I'm wondering if you have any thoughts/preferences of this shot vs. the next one.

Btw, you can see more photos from the trip here: http://www.mountainphotographer.com/grand-gulch-loop-hike/

This one was taken a bit later at night. I "discovered" a neat trick for the lighting in this one - I created my own bounce light by shining my headlamp on the cliff wall behind the scene during the 60 second exposure. By varying where I shined the light on the wall I could create different lighting effects. I decided that the most natural approach was to shine the light on one single spot off to the side for the whole time, which gave a more directional bounce light that resembled a camp fire.

I combined that exposure with another in which I climbed down into the kiva and shined my light around the interior to create the inner glow as if somebody had a little fire going in there as well.

They both convey a different response. The first one is probably a more natural photograph but I really like the second one. The light coming up from the kiva and the clouds really make that shot. I feel as though I am right there with you and that's the feeling we strive to create as photographers. Nice job Jack

Both very nice and agree with Jack. they both convey different responses but I think I like the lighting in #2 and especially your creativity to light the lower level kiva. Great thinking. I would have shot #1 a million times and never thought to add the lighting. Congrats on a great capture.

I much prefer #2. It has a warm inviting feel and a dynamic sky. It feels alive. #1 is very static and less inviting. Kinda gives you the feeling that #2 was taken during the 1100s and #1 was around 1300--everyone had left by then.

Jack, I personally prefer the 2nd one, this is probably because I am studying studio lighting right now and I like what you did to execute this shot. I would like to have seen a bit more exposure on the ULC to bring out the moon lit cliff detail a bit more.

Because of this I can definitely see where a person would like the first one better. I think that the sky and the background detail is better than in the 2nd.

I would be proud to have either of them in my collection.

Jim

I like them both, but the second one is really creative. Like Phillip said, the warm light you painted upon the scene makes it look inviting. As usual with long exposures like this, there is some noise present and a little bit of flare in the sky on the second image. With that cleaned up, these both would really shine.

I'm going to split the difference and say that I prefer the kiva scene in #2 for the reasons outlined above and the skies in #1.
What I really like is the shaft of light you captured in the Perfect Kiva.

Looks like you had a great trip and perfect weather.

I'm going to buck the trend here and come down in favor of #1. I prefer the clear sky, the detail in the canyon, the moonlight on the Kiva: it feels like being there. The lighting in #2 is certainly very neat, and it's cool to see archeology brought to life like that in a photo. But #1 is the shot that makes me want to gas up the truck and drive to Utah.

Can I say both. I like the foreground of the #2 and the background of #1.

I think #1 is simply spectacular. Well conceived, and perfectly executed. I don't recall ever seeing anything like it... and in my book that's a key factor that makes for a great photograph.

In contrast, I don't really like the second one at all; there's something very "artificial" about it.

Love the creativity in both of these. The first one is excellent, the second is mind blowing. It puts me in the place sitting there and contemplating the cosmos with my loincloth on and grinding corn.(That was for John M.)

I really like both of these although I'd definitely vote for the first. I just like the natural lighting better and the (nearly) cloudless sky on that one.

I really enjoyed looking through the whole series. Grand Gulch is such a neat place. I like the first one of the two best because it shows more rock detail.

Both are awesome but I'm going to stay in the minority with #1 being my fave.

Looks like you had a great trip. I like both of these. They are different enough that they are like two different photos. Thanks for sharing.

They're both technically advanced photos, and beautiful. Overall I like #1 because in #2 the sky is a bit over powering for me, and I'm dying to know what's in the shadows.

It's very close though because I love the foreground lighting in 2.

I think I like the overall look of #1 the most although the creative lighting of #2 is well done. This location and some loop hikes through the Grand Gulch canyons is on my short list and this shot really reminds me why. Well done.

#1. I like the look of the moon and the stars. The light looks natural, more of what I think I would see if I were alive back then. The one thing I really do like about #2 is the light coming from inside the building. If you could bring out a little more light on the rock wall in the first one it might look more like fire light reflecting off the wall. It could bring a little more life to the image. Nice work!

Both cool images, Jack. I prefer #1 though. I'd love to see a version of #1 with #2's Kiva lighting. Both shots are really creative.

Jack, I like boh images, but definitely perfer the first image. The second image has great cloud movement, but you have shadows in the foreground going all different directions. This appears unnatural to my taste. Still, they are both very dramatic and well conceived. Best Regards.

Excellent series, Jack! I'm liking the 2nd shot, with the stars and moving clouds - until I change my mind in 5 minutes. The sotlight through kiva and petroglyph shots are awesome!

Great idea and a couple of keepers.

Both are great, struggle to pick either one! Looks like great area, good job.

Very creative. Really like #2.

Jack.... very different perspective on Kiva... awesome stuff... love both....

I like them both, but the first one just feels more natural to me. If I were to be sitting in that spot, I would feel more relaxed in the 1st one. Great ideas in the 2nd one, though. Nice work.

Really diggin' both of them!!!!!!!!!!! Neat work. Great hike! Joe.

These are both really great images. Reminiscent of Wally Pacholka's False Kiva shot. Thanks for sharing!

REALLY like #1. Great mood, very mysterious. Love the lighting throughout. #2 is fun too, but doesn't have quite the impact for me.

Very nice. Really like the colors in the sky in the second image.

I like both images but what I'd like to see is a mix of the sky from the first and the lighting technique used in the second image.

Both are great, but I think i favor the first. great work!

I think they're BOTH great shots, but I'm going to favor the 1st one, if for nothing else, I like that it was done "naturally".
However, that doesn't take away the respect I have for the process and creativity used to make #2....

#2 gets my vote for the color contrast between reds and blues. Very pleasing image, though the first is damn fine too!