Looking for critique

This is the first time I have processed this type of a photograph, and I really like it. I have many more of the same type that I want to process, but I wanted to get some input on my first attempt. I am looking for honest opinions. The colors are intentionally saturated, by the way.

http://www.wildwestgallery.com/blog/testers/t010.htm

Thanks in advance.

Reminds me of Kuyper's work, this is excellent.

Nicely processed, Momo. I like, and agree with Art - looks somewhat like Tony's work.

Yep, Tony patiently taught me some very neat techniques in the field, and I developed my own processing methods. I am very thankful to him.

I don't think I'd change anything. This is a great abstract with nice detail in the rock. Nice!

Nice - looks to me like a big comforter.

Ken

I like it!

As others noted, Tony has posted images from the same area at ES&S, so comparisons are inevitable.

It's beautiful, Momo. No nits from me. I'd like to see more.

I agree with everyone here Momo, very nice.

The top right corner maybe a tad dark, but outside that it looks great.

Agreed, this is very nice. The color patterns and lines bring the eye right into the image.

I think I'd like it even more in a less saturated version. I think these colors and tones would also work very well in a more subtle presentation. But it sounds like you have a vision of the final output in mind, and I'm good with that.

In a certain way, I like it alot. To be honest, the colors are just a little too vivid to seem natural and I would prefer them to be toned down a little.

TK definitely has developed a "look," and this follows that pattern. However, I find the overt saturation to go a bridge too far. This image, like many of TK's, strikes me as more photo art than photo realism, which is unfortunate, since those colors are really there, but the over-saturation takes them beyond the realm of believability. An analogy: A guy invents something so extraordinary that it helps everyone on the planet. And then he falsely claims to be a male model. Dude, the invention was enough, no need to embellish.

+1 for TC's comments. Taking the saturation beyond what could be perceived as real/natural opens the door for unnecessary criticism and questions about post processing of your other work. The image is killer and a strong piece of art, just pull it back a notch.

Wonderful shot Momo! Make me number 3 for pulling the sats back to less vibrant levels.

I've got a slightly different view as far as the saturation goes. I don't have a problem with it as long as you disclose your processing method, as you did here. I agree with Todd and Dave that if your intention is to document the landscape as it appears to our eyes, you might want to pull back on the intensity.

However, IF your objective is to create a more artistic presentation, maybe one that communicates more of your inner feelings about a location, why limit yourself? Just because something can't be perceived to our eyes doesn't mean it's not there. Criticisms have been voiced (and I'm sure will continue to be discussed) about slow shutter speeds to blur movement (water, star trails, etc.), saturated films like Velvia, high ISO exposures to pick up Milky Way stars, darkroom dodging/burning and exposure blending. These tools and processes don't record the natural environment as our eyes see them, but does the use of them mean you are no longer practicing nature photography? In my opinion, no.

A couple questions you might want to ask yourself: Is the natural environment that you capture awe-inspiring enough to you that you want to communicate its beauty in the most realistic way possible? That approach seems to be where Todd and Dave are coming from. Or do you want to put a more personal, artistic stamp on it as other NPN photographers like Tony, Marc Adamus, Floris Van Breugel, to name just a few, do? Personally, I don't make a value judgement on which side is the "true" nature photography. I enjoy viewing and respect the work of every photographer mentioned (as long as they're honest about how they are presenting their images) and recognize that they are contributing to our profession with very different styles.

Speaking of which, another question, do you want to be recognized for your own style or for Tony's? I really like this image, but I feel it's indistinguishable from his work. If your aim is an artistic one, where is the "you" in it? I'll admit this isn't an easy task. I continually struggle with defining my own style too especially since I'm still in a transition from shooting Velvia to shooting more digital. I find I'm being influenced more and more by the great work in this forum, everyone from Todd to Tony, and it's difficult to find a particular niche that is mine and mine alone as these photographers seem to have achieved. I offer this as just something to think about. Thanks for posting this image!

Thanks everyone for their responses.

The inspiration for this image came from falling in love with Tony's photos. Then, I saw the sandstone layers in real life, and was amazed by their beauty. This is not a style that I invented, but learned from Tony (thanks again).

I want to mention that Tony was not present when I took this photo, and I did not use his Luminosity masks to develop it in PS. My wife and I spent 2 hours last night developing this image, and we settled on this version (I have many other versions as well).

I will post a desaturated version later on for comparison.
Thanks again.

I was gonna write something, but Joshua has pretty well summed up my thoughts on this image. Well done.

Very nice! I really like the flow of this image, perfect comp. Looking forward to seeing more of your images with your "style".

No nits here Momo. Looks great!

Love the composition and the colors assuming your intent was to create something different from reality. To me it looks like it is made from cloth rather than rock, which in itself is a very neat effect. Otherwise I heartily agree with what Joshua so eloquently said!

Magnetizing to stare at.

You had me with the color, and then I started studying the comp with the lines running right corner to left corner, and I am impressed. Fantastic shot.

I have updated the linked webpage to include a desaturated version. Any opinions are appreciated.
Thanks again.

This would certainly fit into a true "Fine Arts" type gallery. Joseph would have been jealous and I'm sure he would have traded in his coat of many colors for this image Style whats that? Everyone has copied someone's "style" at one time or another as the wheel comtinues to get invented. Saturated or not its all in the eye of the beholder. Good job!

I agree with Don's comment about looking like cloth. In fact it looks like a comforter and I just want to wrap it around myself! Nice work man! It is art dude! Be happy...don't worry, if it pleases you.

Momo... man I love this shot.. love the angle you have taken the shot from ... .no nits here. The second one looks more natural but when it comes to saturation I like to see something in between the two version... regards, Rajeev.

It looks like a desaturated TK shot. Which is not necessarily a bad thing.

It appears that you used a global desaturation here.
In my view, only the yellows running from center right to the upper left needed to be toned down a bit as they drew the eye away from the subject as a whole.
Regardless, this is a fine composition of a beautiful area. Well done, Momo!

Very nice, Momo! I'm a color junkie so I like the saturated one! Beautiful comp and color!

Thanks all for your comments.
John, I really appreciate (and agree with) your last comment about saturation.
Thanks again.

Love the details and the colors!

I like it, it's very nice. I agree about toning down the saturation, but that's just my view. Otherwise it's a sweet shot.

Hey, Momo.

I like your "artsy" saturated version, although I agree with John about the yellows.
I'm looking forward to seeing a print.