Some of you may recall the beautiful shot John posted from this location about a month ago. This is my take on it, and although the comp is somewhat limited (similar), I tried my best to differentiate my shot by managing the lighting through the scene.
I arrived at this location about 6 hours before sunset and spent that time scouting the area in the hot sun. I wound up with a brutal tan and about 20-30 bug bites in my time on top of the mesa. Despite the sketchy and rocky hike out, I decided to push my luck and wait for the last rays of the sun, and it was worth it. The hike out was a bit stressful as I had to run with a loaded pack to make it through the rocky sections before it got too dark. With a headlamp at night it would have been extremely difficult to get out.
This is a hand blend of two images for dynamic range and dynamic polarization. By that I mean I adjusted my warming polarizer to maximize the blue sky and nice warm glow in the background and a second shot adjusted to completely eliminate the reflection in the pool. I found the half and half reflection in the pool a bit distracting, so I decided to go with the black pool look.
I hope you enjoy and appreciate your feedback! Also I had a great time meeting everyone this last weekend.
Good to spend some time with you over the weekend, Koveh. Nice shot of this location..all that dust in the air really created some nice soft light for sunsets.
I like this one, Koveh!
Especially fond of the lit butte amidst all of the muted light elsewhere. My only suggestion might be to burn down the sandstone flats down below a bit to put more separation between there and the stone in the foreground.
It was a great pleasure finally meeting the young master Jedi photographer! Please let me know next time you're in the area.
Really nice. The kiss of light on the nearest butte really makes this a special moment. The sandstone around the pool appears (in my monitor) to be just a touch on the blue side. Maybe try a slight white balance tweak in those areas? But that's a very small nit. Beautiful work.
Koveh, I like the comp alot. Great use of the wideangle. I really like John's idea about slightly darkening the sandstone flats inbetween the awesome foreground pool and rock and the next best thing, your lit up rock tower in the distance. I think if you separate the two a bit more the image would really pop. I think you blended the image perfectly; I have no doubt this was the scene.
BTW, I'm headed to Zion for 4 days this week. Your comment about "biting bugs" is making me think if I'm properly prepared for days camping on sandstone. Do you think a good 50% DEET mosquito repelent would do the trick?
Thanks all for the comments and suggestions. I really had a great time meeting up with everyone.
John - a trip is definitely in the works. Would love to spend a few days in the remote areas with you. I'm sure I would learn a ton.
Kane - You will have a great trip, and I can't wait to see what you come back with. Just take a small bug spray along with you and you will be fine. If you are near water, the bugs can be a bit brutal.
Discussion
10 repliesI arrived at this location about 6 hours before sunset and spent that time scouting the area in the hot sun. I wound up with a brutal tan and about 20-30 bug bites in my time on top of the mesa. Despite the sketchy and rocky hike out, I decided to push my luck and wait for the last rays of the sun, and it was worth it. The hike out was a bit stressful as I had to run with a loaded pack to make it through the rocky sections before it got too dark. With a headlamp at night it would have been extremely difficult to get out.
This is a hand blend of two images for dynamic range and dynamic polarization. By that I mean I adjusted my warming polarizer to maximize the blue sky and nice warm glow in the background and a second shot adjusted to completely eliminate the reflection in the pool. I found the half and half reflection in the pool a bit distracting, so I decided to go with the black pool look.
I hope you enjoy and appreciate your feedback! Also I had a great time meeting everyone this last weekend.
Especially fond of the lit butte amidst all of the muted light elsewhere. My only suggestion might be to burn down the sandstone flats down below a bit to put more separation between there and the stone in the foreground.
It was a great pleasure finally meeting the young master Jedi photographer! Please let me know next time you're in the area.
BTW, I'm headed to Zion for 4 days this week. Your comment about "biting bugs" is making me think if I'm properly prepared for days camping on sandstone. Do you think a good 50% DEET mosquito repelent would do the trick?
Kane
John - a trip is definitely in the works. Would love to spend a few days in the remote areas with you. I'm sure I would learn a ton.
Kane - You will have a great trip, and I can't wait to see what you come back with. Just take a small bug spray along with you and you will be fine. If you are near water, the bugs can be a bit brutal.