Posted by Rod Chandler on November 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Just returned from a fabulous trip through New Mexico and Arizona. At White Sands National Monument I found everything from a severe thunderstorm with sand-blasting-high-winds to gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. This image is a sunrise.
Posted by Rod Chandler on November 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Later that day I was in the monument for sunset. This was one of those "blow-your-shorts-off" sunsets.
Posted by Rod Chandler on November 7, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Here is an image made just before the sun appeared. I am faced north for this shot.
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on November 7, 2009 at 1:53 PM
#2 is incredible! If there is one thing I would suggest, it would be to warm up the foreground. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Brian Jackson on November 7, 2009 at 4:30 PM
#2 is cool, but looks over saturated to me.
Posted by Todd Caudle on November 7, 2009 at 5:05 PM
#1 looks like it has a strong, dingy yellow cast, and some major sky issues (looks like solarization), and the intense colors in #2 are blown out. You've got some good shots here, they just need a little TLC.
Posted by John Mumaw on November 7, 2009 at 5:19 PM
#2 would have been an ideal candidate for a two (or more) exposure blend.
Would love to see the foreground 'brighter' and a bit less overexposure in the sunset.
Posted by Dan Walters on November 7, 2009 at 6:27 PM
I really like the subtle colors in the last image.
Posted by Rod Chandler on November 7, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Thank you for the excellent feedback. I have redone the image with the yellow cast. Frankly, I got carried away with the color temperature, mainly because I was trying to get rid of the blue in the shadows. I also, with the redux, opened in PSCS3 and adjusted color balance slightly away from yellow in midtones and highlights and away from blue in shadows. Did it help? Now, Todd, I have to look up "solarization."
Posted by John Mumaw on November 7, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Oh, that's a big improvement!
The bluish shadows look quite natural, and the sky is now mighty fine looking.
Love the colors and comp in number 2. Try the highlight/shadow control in PS and you could probably bring down the halo around the sun a bit. Beautiful sunset!
Posted by Stan Rose on November 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM
That repost looks good, Rod--i also like the colors in #2. #1 Would make a good B&W as well.
Great comp on all the shots and the tweaking helps. Agree with Todd #2 may be too saturated (although I prefer more than less personally). Would love to shoot White Sands sometime. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Kurt Bowman on November 8, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Very nice imges. Really like the repost a lot!
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on November 8, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Rod...second shot is great!!! Love the location.... and your beautiful composition...
Posted by Adam Schallau on November 9, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Nice work reprocessing the first shot. I think the second shot has a lot of potential but you need to work your magic on it like you did for the first shot.
Posted by Jack Brauer on November 9, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Wow, that sunrise is something else!!! I also like the reworked first shot. I've got to go there sometime!
Discussion
18 repliesWould love to see the foreground 'brighter' and a bit less overexposure in the sunset.
The bluish shadows look quite natural, and the sky is now mighty fine looking.