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The 'Perfect Panel'

Discussion

12 replies
Posted by John Mumaw on June 9, 2011 at 8:18 PM
The 'Perfect Panel'
That seems to be the name of this panel of Barrier Canyon style pictographs located deep in the backcountry of S.E. Utah. It's an apt name, as the 'canvas' is completely undisturbed by vandals and is comparable to the Great Gallery in Canyonlands, in my opinion.
It was 95° on the way out of here last weekend. So sadly enough,the desert hiking shall be put to rest for a few months.
Posted by John Mumaw on June 9, 2011 at 8:21 PM
'The Hitchhiker'

Although the reason for the name of this shaman seems obvious, a closer inspection reveals that what appears to be an elongated thumb is actually a small animal of some sort, as seen in a cropped view below.
Posted by John Mumaw on June 9, 2011 at 8:22 PM
It amazes me that such rich detail exists in a painted panel that is estimated to be between 2,000 and 4,000 years old.
Posted by Phillip Noll on June 9, 2011 at 8:32 PM
Very cool, John! These almost look like Aboriginal Australian art!
Posted by Morris McClung on June 9, 2011 at 8:42 PM
The drive to create and express ourselves is nothing new. This artist was talented and still manages to make a connection thousands of years later. Your comp in #1 is fairly brilliant. The conversion in #2 reveals all of the line, texture, and tones in this panel. Superb work, John. :toast:
Posted by Tom Kennon on June 9, 2011 at 10:34 PM
Great stuff, John. I always enjoy seeing these. #2 is my favorite. The only ones I have seen close are the pictographs at Sand Island near Bluff, Utah. That was a pretty nice panel right in the campground.
Posted by Howard Cihak on June 10, 2011 at 3:42 AM
Great images, John. I envy your opportunities to go looking for this kind of subject matter.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on June 10, 2011 at 8:14 AM
Good work! I love the B&W treatment. It enhances the detail. I'd love to see these in person!
Posted by Don George on June 10, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Perfect panel, perfect capture! Great work as always.
Posted by Rod Chandler on June 10, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Beautiful John. I love pictographs and would love to see them as clean and unmolested as those you photographed here. Gorgeous work as usual.
Posted by Guy Tal on June 11, 2011 at 7:25 PM
Wow, the detail here is impressive. How amazing that these are still so vibrant after thousands of years of exposure to the desert sun. Puts our 200-year (if not placed in direct sun) "archival" prints in perspective.

Guy
Posted by Dan Walters on June 14, 2011 at 10:38 PM
The black and whites show quite a bit of detail. Would love to see these one of these days!
Posted by Jason J. Hatfield on June 26, 2011 at 7:43 PM
Amazing shots with great clarity!