Some Wintry Moab Stuff

I recently returned from a nice little winter trip in the Moab area. God I love that place in the winter! Love the contrast between the snow and red rocks and also the complete lack of crowds. The first image above is the final remnants of the last winter storm breaking up over Mt. Tukuhnikivatz (say that fast five times) from the Behind The Rocks WSA.

Here's a light painting effort I made at Double Arch. Not perfect I know, but its one of my better efforts to date I think.

Shot @ 19mm, 25s, f/5.6, iso640

Here's a nice little sunstar at Landscape Arch. I talked with Bret Edge at the end of the trip about Photomatix's somewhat new tool, Exposure Fusion, so I gave it a whirl on this 3 image blend. I was pretty darned impressed with it and will definitely keep it in the arsenal...

And finally, a somewhat different perspective on a familiar icon...Balanced Rock. I tried to find a place well back and above it so the cloud shrouded La Sals would play a larger role in the composition...

Wow!!!
What a stellar collection, Guy! I was wondering how your trip went...I wonder no more.
You had superior conditions that you took great advantage of here. Nice clouds during the day, and a clear sky at night. I like every single of these.
I think you did a great job of light painting! I like the fact that it's not done evenly, which is kinda boring to me. Real nice sky exposure, too. Camera data would be interesting to know there.
I'm really liking the examples I see using Exposure Fusion, and this is one of the best. May have to give it a whirl myself.
Were this mine, I would probably burn down the evergreen in the foreground or extract the yellows from it. What lens did you use to achieve such a fine sunstar?
Congratulations on scoring so very well around Moab!

Man, I've got to get back out to Moab. These are sweet!!!

Thanks guys! John, I updated the light painting post with the shot details. I agree that I ended up liking the somewhat uneven lighting as well. Actually, with as large of an area as I was trying to paint, it was just about impossible to light it evenly anyway. It took me about 12-15 tries to come up with something I liked. It was a cool experience though as there were some not to distant coyotes howling at each other and it was incredible listening to their howls echoing within the rock amphitheater I was in!

Absolute Killer collection.

That is great stuff! That first one blows the doors off anything I've seen from here, by anyone!

Awesome series-I really liked #2 and #1 has great dimensionality, layering, and color contrasts.

Guy,
You always turn in the most amazing stuff! Not a weak one in the bunch, but, my favorites are #1 and #3.....Light painting is a killer too. I always enjoy your posts, as usual.
Joe Rogers

That double arch night shot is rediculous.

Kane

I love your light painting. Great 3D effect.

Holly Smokes!!! Everyone of them is amazing!! Second one is also so cool!!!! First and last are my favs...

Great images! That second image is very dramatic!

Wow Guy!! Great light and the right amount of snow for highlights! Some of the Best Arches shots in Winter that I have seen!

Wow! All are great.

Bill Brennan

Those are terrific! I really enjoyed gazing at them. No specific favs, but the last one is sure nice.

Amazing images, double arch is a winner since it always has dark shadows around it and you have created a new way to film it without those.

Guy, these are simply FANTASTIC! What an incredible series!!!!!!!!!

Very nice series Guy! Wow! I sat here for 5 minutes trying to decide a favorite, simply can't!

Ditto on the good stuff you posted. Landscape arch is my favorite. Really like what the blending process gave you. Doesn't look "HDRish" on my monitor.

These are all very sweet!!. What fantastic conditions you had out there, hard to pick a favourite from the bunch!.

Great series, Guy. What a productive trip you had.

I only see 4 calendar images here! Oh, wait that is a 100% rate. Wow!

Wow that first shot is insanely awesome!!! Love the clouds of the breaking storm, the fresh snow, and of course the light. What a moment!

Guy, Nothin' I can say that hasn't been said about these fantastic shots! Absolutely Beautiful!

#1 is just stunning! #3 is next. Great sunburst! All very beautiful. Looks like you had a productive trip to red rock country.

Guy, can I be your #1 fan? These are awesome, again.

Awesome set! Don't have a fav; they are all great. Makes me *really* want to get out there soon.

I like the light painting. Well done.

All are incredible Guy, but that first one is a step above! Damn those are some nice images!

Stunning series...the first and fourth shots are incredible. Great series!

Wow....thanks everybody! I'm stunned by the glowing comments and really appreciate the support. Now it's time to dig into the rest of the image pile from the trip. After taking the wifey-poo out for a little Valentines dinner, that is!

All are gorgeous like everyone said! Happy V-day Guy!

Great collection!!!

Really like the night light painting of Double Arch.

Great series, Guy--the first two are absolutley killer! The HDR aint bad, but i still think it looks HDRish--the range has been compressed too much, i think with the sun behind like that the fg should not be that bright. but no one else seems to mind so maybe im seeing it wrong.

Wow, this are all very nice! I missed this post initially but I'm glad I caught it. I thought I'd be sick of Arches shots by now, but these are, to quote Tony the Tiger, greeeattt!