Posted by John Mumaw on February 7, 2011 at 8:08 PM
One of the most elegant ancient Fremont style pictographs I've ever seen.
Of course, all sense of spirituality was completely drained when my pal Jared Atencio
said it looked like a martini glass resting upon a chic table!
I'm trying to photograph rock art in more than 'documentary' style ways. I think I got lucky here (and with the nice bounce light).
No boulders were moved to facilitate an optimum composition.
On a side note, this is a blend of two images with two different focal points for max. sharpness. Fairly simple since the edges present were so well delineated.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
Posted by Paul Wegemann on February 7, 2011 at 8:35 PM
So John, are you saying this is NOT a pictograph of a martini glass on a chic table?
This is wonderful! I like the way all the angles and planes of light take this in an abstract direction and the way the pictograph pulls it back. There' s a nice dynamic tension going on here. This is one very cool image.
Posted by Joseph Kayne on February 7, 2011 at 9:00 PM
Where r the olives?
Posted by Jack Garrett on February 7, 2011 at 9:07 PM
Very nice John...you've captured this well!! Now just bring those post processing talents to Moab in May
Posted by Paul Martin on February 7, 2011 at 9:33 PM
Nice! I could use on of those right now. I think this is a great pictograph and the surrounding rock makes it a little like an Escher picture.
Posted by Phillip Noll on February 7, 2011 at 9:59 PM
Looks dry. Very dry!
Posted by Jody Grigg on February 7, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Nice capture John, about how tall was the pictograph?
Posted by John Mumaw on February 7, 2011 at 10:11 PM
"Looks dry. Very dry!"
LMAO!!! Good one, Phillip!
It's about two feet tall, Jody. It's in pristine condition, which is remarkable seeing that you can walk right up and touch it.
Posted by Lynn Scott on February 8, 2011 at 1:34 AM
Nice image John! I love the historical photos.
I too can't wait to see your talents in person in Moab :)
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 8, 2011 at 2:17 AM
John, this is really striking. I love the angular nature of the surrounding rocks and the way you've used them to frame the martini.
Posted by Howard Cihak on February 8, 2011 at 5:26 AM
Amigo, I'm curious about your title for this shot. What's the connection? BTW, the bounce light was beautiful.
Posted by John Mumaw on February 8, 2011 at 7:55 AM
Thanks, folks!
Howard, this was tagged as the 'Shaman' by who knows who and the name stuck.
A pity that Jared A. didn't see it first, eh?
Posted by Roger Rouch on February 8, 2011 at 9:06 AM
Wow. Everything fits around the excellent pictograph just right. It is indeed one of the nicest ones I've seen. Thanks for showing it!
It feels really out of balance to me, but in a good way. I guess it's all the angles working against each other. As a whole it comes back together. Well done.
Posted by Jared Atencio on February 8, 2011 at 11:43 AM
In my defense, it was a long day and that's what I happen to be seeing here
I like how you are taking modern techniques (your polarizer stack, focus stacking, etc.) and applying them to such an ancient subject matter. In the cooking/culinary world there is a saying "respect the ingredient." This simply means to show reverence for each ingredient touched or cut; acknowledge it's previous life (whether veggie or protein), embrace the ingredient's natural flavor (don't mask it, or cloud it's flavor with uncomplimentary flavors), and work to showcase the ingredient and present it in the best possible way you can. For example, someone who burns the hell out of a steak, is thought to show a lack of respect for the cow who gave his life for that steak. My point is that you always "respect your subject" in your photographs. They are always shown in the most flattering light (whether it happens on a first visit or takes 15 years), there is a reverence for the subject that translates through the photograph to the viewer, and you're able to do this in a stylish and bold way that still doesn't interfere with your subject. Sorry to get off on a culinary tangent but was the easiest analogy I could think of to try and make my point. Whose ready for happy hour?
Posted by Adam Schallau on February 8, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Nicely captured. I bet it will make a great print.
Posted by Dan Walters on February 8, 2011 at 1:03 PM
Really like the crop. The dark rocks help frame the pictograph.
Very nice, John! The curve of the boulder matches the curve on the right side of the figure, and I like the shapes, tones and textures of the different levels of ceiling.
I like all the weird angles that frame the Shaman - how did those little dudes get up there?
Posted by Jesse Speer on February 9, 2011 at 3:59 PM
Great image John. Love the comp. Since you're pushing the art here in this very graphic image, definitely try out higher contrast and maybe even b/w. But I love the image you presented. The layers kinda play with my eye. Fascinating.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on February 10, 2011 at 12:18 PM
John, I have looked at this seveal times. Initially, it did not strike a chord with me, but it has been growing on me each time I look. I like the pointed angles formed by the framing rocks.
My ideas might be to 1) lighten the upper right rock, and 2) crop from the left 10% to where the rounded lower left rock meets the bottom pointed rock. This would give a taller vertical to frame the skinny Shaman. To me, it is the round LLC rock that I did not like initially. My honest thoughts, fwiw.
Posted by John Mumaw on February 10, 2011 at 6:00 PM
That's worth a lot, Doug...I appreciate your input and will take a closer look at things. Thanks!
Posted by Rene Pirolt on February 11, 2011 at 11:15 PM
Haha! Nice shot John, but I have to agree on the similarities to an empty cocktail!
Posted by Don George on February 12, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Very simplistic and beautiful image. I haven't been down to the canyons in several years but hope to make a trip in April. Coming upon an ancient site or wall marking is so surreal. I've often sat near a site and let my mind wander in imagining what it must have been like during that time. I enjoy your work and wait with anticapation for your next posting.
Discussion
26 repliesOf course, all sense of spirituality was completely drained when my pal Jared Atencio
said it looked like a martini glass resting upon a chic table!
I'm trying to photograph rock art in more than 'documentary' style ways. I think I got lucky here (and with the nice bounce light).
No boulders were moved to facilitate an optimum composition.
On a side note, this is a blend of two images with two different focal points for max. sharpness. Fairly simple since the edges present were so well delineated.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
This is wonderful! I like the way all the angles and planes of light take this in an abstract direction and the way the pictograph pulls it back. There' s a nice dynamic tension going on here. This is one very cool image.
It's about two feet tall, Jody. It's in pristine condition, which is remarkable seeing that you can walk right up and touch it.
I too can't wait to see your talents in person in Moab :)
Howard, this was tagged as the 'Shaman' by who knows who and the name stuck.
A pity that Jared A. didn't see it first, eh?
I like how you are taking modern techniques (your polarizer stack, focus stacking, etc.) and applying them to such an ancient subject matter. In the cooking/culinary world there is a saying "respect the ingredient." This simply means to show reverence for each ingredient touched or cut; acknowledge it's previous life (whether veggie or protein), embrace the ingredient's natural flavor (don't mask it, or cloud it's flavor with uncomplimentary flavors), and work to showcase the ingredient and present it in the best possible way you can. For example, someone who burns the hell out of a steak, is thought to show a lack of respect for the cow who gave his life for that steak. My point is that you always "respect your subject" in your photographs. They are always shown in the most flattering light (whether it happens on a first visit or takes 15 years), there is a reverence for the subject that translates through the photograph to the viewer, and you're able to do this in a stylish and bold way that still doesn't interfere with your subject. Sorry to get off on a culinary tangent but was the easiest analogy I could think of to try and make my point. Whose ready for happy hour?
My ideas might be to 1) lighten the upper right rock, and 2) crop from the left 10% to where the rounded lower left rock meets the bottom pointed rock. This would give a taller vertical to frame the skinny Shaman. To me, it is the round LLC rock that I did not like initially. My honest thoughts, fwiw.