Pano Testing

My mission today was to drive into the areas of northern CO that I've never seen before, which led to a mild conflict with a property owner. I grabbed three panos from my trip. I'm still working on my post-processing technique, so please be honest. I really have a generic outline of a workflow since I just got CS3 in. I also realize there is a lack of foreground subjects and the potential for cropping.
*I'm only posting 600px versions, please follow the links to see larger versions.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/4570323934_51c1bb7252_o.jpg

2) Open pasture

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4570324052_695ce95dd3_b.jpg

3) Wind farm on WY border after sunset

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4570324076_d236a9d364_b.jpg

These are real nice--especially #3!
Be careful, we dont want to have to pull shotgun pellets out of you.
The pp looks on target to me. FWIW, i dont have any workflow (course im unorganized to begin with) I prefer to treat every photo differently.

I really like #1. I would work that image and maybe even go B+W with it. the clouds are great and I think it really says open range.

I think these are all sweet shots, CC. I agree w/Darren that #1 is a really good candidate for b&w.

Thanks for the comments. I can't believe I didn't think B&W, which is what my brain normally defaults to. Here's a quick B&W conversion w/ link.
Maybe I should bring up the brightness in the lighter areas?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4571158390_4fc96cf7e4_o.jpg

I would say add a little contrast by bringing the whites up a little and bringing the blacks down a little. I think that'll make it pop. Congrats on getting CS3, btw. I need to come up so I can give you a few pointers. I'll let you know when so your wife can get the spaghetti casserole ready.

Charles, I really like #1. As posted, I prefer your color version. As an alternative to B&W, I think a higher contrast and slightly punchy saturation would work well on this image. As far as workflow, I use Lightroom and PS. My pano workflow entails doing all my adjustments in LR then exporting to PS for the stitching. Nothing fancy and pretty quick.
Now, tell us more about your run-in with the property owner. I've had a few myself and I don't even jump fences.

Thanks for the tips.

County Road 128, approximately 3 miles east of Colorado 85 there was a sign that says "Not a thru road" as you continue east on road 128 passing an optional right turn in the road. The continuation of the road looked identical to the original road I was on. In city terms I think, "This is just a road that dead ends near the chalk bluffs since it said it wasn't a thru street." What this really meant was "No tresspassing" in country talk. Whilst driving eastbound for 1/4 mile I came across two pickups and their drivers trying to round up some cows. As I was driving around the pickups I had to slam on my brakes as one of the prop owners jumped out in front of my Jeep and shouting at me.
Owner: "Where you driving to?" Me: "I'm just driving." Owner: "Not on my land." Me: "There was nothing posted that this was private property." Owner: "Well, I'm telling you this is my land. Everyone and their brother tries to get up to the buttes this way." Me: "You might save yourself some heartburn if you actually posted this was a private road. I'l go turn around, thank you for being so polite." Owner: -Gave me the stink eye as I turned around.

Nothing big, but geez. If you don't want people to drive down a road that appears public than put up a gate, private property/no tresspassing sign, an armed guard, or something similar. "Not a thru road" appears to just be a dead end, maybe leading to a trailhead. There are plenty of roads that have this same sign that simply dead end. But, it IS clear that the road does not continue on to another road by this sign...that's it.

Adjusted B&W with levels for a slight punch. I didn't want to go overboard.

Here's a larger size:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4572444160_a68035a21f_o.jpg

And........the color version with levels adjust, color correction to move the red color balance to the blue side to level it out. Slight bump in saturation.

Here's a larger size:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/4571860727_26fd7fffa0_o.jpg

Charles says:

You might save yourself some heartburn if you actually posted this was a private road. I'l go turn around, thank you for being so polite

No kidding. I see this alot with property owners in Weld that have an O&G lease. Signs Help Alot. Idiots, get with the program.

BTW I like your shots. There is a real beauty to the plains.

Really liking the re-done shots, esp. the b&w. As for the ranch owner, I can only hope he goes 56 in a 55 right in front of you. Strip search roadside, maybe a little taser action, too.

Great images! Really like the color and the clouds in the open pasture image.

I like the first image best Charles. I mostly like the open lad, the clouds and shadows. I like the B&W conversion, but the second conversion once you made the levels adjustment. Nice job!

Charles I really like the re-dos. They really pop and look great! I liked the story as well and totally understand.

These are sweet. I really like images of the plains. The B&W works great; I like the 2nd version best too.

I like your reposts of #1. Perfect use of the panoramic format.

I really like the reposts! Very well done.

Really like the b&w repost, great image.