Bookcliffs

I have wanted to photograph the Bookcliffs by Grand Junction since I worked there over a year ago. I also wanted to see the Grand Mesa since I had never made the trek up there either. So, last weekend I included both in a quick trip. I'm still trying to get something out of the Grand Mesa shots, but it was mid-day light, so I'm not finding much to work with. I shot the Bookcliffs at sunset and after hoping for something spectacular. Didn't get that, but enjoyed finally working with them.

The first one is Mt. Garfield.

Comments and critiques welcome, and thank you for looking,

Morris

#2

#3

and #4

These are very nice! I drive by these all the time and have considered stopping to shoot them but never have. If these were mine, I'd cropped the sky out of the shot on the 2nd & 3rd to keep the focus solely on the patterns and colors of the book cliffs.

Bootyiful!!! I would not crop the sky out it adds a little different color to the images IMO.

#4 is the real standout here. The slightly pastel sky with those beautiful blue hues on the cliffs, up to brighter orange at the top.. makes for a very compelling color-centric composition.

In an attempt to provide more thoughtful critique instead of commenting on just my favorite - the others don't catch my eye nearly as much. Too much cliff, I think. Though with those blue skies, I can see how less cliff wouldn't necessarily be better. Did you do any abstract work with no sky at all?

Then again, the more I look at 1-3 the more they're growing on me. They might go well as a printed series hung near to each other. I also think #3 would be better with a white frame.

Thanks, guys.
Grant, you need to shoot these, especially some star shots like you do so well! I did crop some sky, and I will try some with all of it cropped.
Jody, that was my thought also.
Kurt, I couldn't reach out far enough from where I was with my lens to get just abstracts, but next time I will try to find a way to get closer.

I like this set as well Morris. The textures in those cliffs are so rich, much like the badlands around Factory Butte. You captured these in some sweet light.

These are really nice, Morris--some nice light and great detail! I think a pano of #3 with the sky cropped out would be killer

Let me restate that:

It would be KILLER!!

Morris,
You caught some nice pastel colors. I too would consider some tighter crops or comps without sky to focus on the eroded slopes, shadows and those nice colors. Looks like there is a atv or dirtbike trail going up the ridge in #3 to get closer.

Really nice stuff Morris. All nice but I'm partial to #3 and #4. The light in those 2 gives a soft, painting like quality to the images. I don't have a problem at all with the sky giving some contrasting color. About the only thing I'd have done differently would be using a longer lens to do an extraction of the triangle area in #3. I wouldn't change these, just add that tighter crop and have a #5.

Nice shots.. I agree with the suggestion for the crop.

Oh WOW! #1 really gets my attention. Well done Morris.

That Mancos Shale has so much character.
I really like the soft colors in #2 and #3.

Although #1 is similar, I feel the shadows are just too bright. I tend to lose the ridge definition in the middle of the image. Have you looked at it with a slightly lower black point?

Hmmm, guess I'll get medieval on the cropping.
Doug, a fence kept me from going any farther here. Next time I will try an end run.
Bill, I like where your head is at. I'll work that black point some, too.

These are all great Morris, and with that late day warm light really do pop!. I drove by these 2 weeks ago mid-day, and the patterns and colours really are photo worthy as you have shown here!. I actually like the sliver of sky in most of these, it does add a break in the colour. With that being said, Stan's idea of a Pano of #3 is excellent!.

Beautiful series reminiscent of Guy Tal's Factory Butte images.
I happen to like the skies just the way you have them, but I could see cropping them, too. How's that for decisive?
As Bill noted, #1 could use a contrast bump, but the rest are captured and 'developed' perfectly. #4 is the one that should get printed and exhibited. It could almost use a bump in saturation.
Real nice to see a series like this here! It rubs this desert rat the right way.

Thanks, John. I was influenced by Gal Tal's Factory Butte images as well as Adam Schallau's work from there. Check his shot out! The reason I decided to leave some sky was to not try to copy their work, as if I could, but to bring something different. And hoping that these cliffs were enough different, also, that it would stand on it's own.

Hey, these look kinda familiar Yeah, I can look out my home office window and see Mt. Garfield. Every night I love to see the glow on it and the cliffs. You did them justice! I really like #3 and #4 the best. #1 is too bright or something and #2's comp just doesn't grab me. Nice work on these. Next time you come shoot these, give me a shout.

Whoa, Morris does the desert! These are absolutely killer, MM! If forced to pick a favorite, I'd go with #3, simply because those foothills in front of the cliffs have so much character. But since I'm not being forced, I'll just say I love them all equally.

These are all outstanding, Morris. Love the soft but warm light and rich patterns in the slopes. I could see cropping the sky but I think they're all excellent as-is. Trivia: the Book Cliffs comprise the longest continuous escarpment in the world. Now you know...

Great light and I really like the comp. in #3

I like em all but #2 and #3 are my favorites. It looks like #2 and #3 line up side by side, have you considered a stitching the 2 together for a pano?

Wonderful stuff, Morris. I'm really partial to #3 and #4. The sky doesn't bother me on any of these. The colors and textures are really mouth watering.

Beautiful, Morris. #3 would be awesome as a large print.

- Dan.

Morris- #4 is the standout. Soft colors and great comp! Well worth the trip.

I've always been tempted by this area as well. You certainly made it work exceptionally well. I think #3 is my fav as well.

3 & 4 really capture the viewing experience as warm, golden light highlights every wrinkle in the rock. Nicely done!

Thanks again everyone!
Angela, I will do that next time and thanks for the invite!
Bret, that is a great piece of trivia, thanks.
Michael, I did shoot a series for a pano, but will really have to work on it to get the sky color to even out some.

Love the colors and textures in all of 'em!