Posted by Jack Garrett on January 25, 2012 at 2:07 AM
I wish I could do this image justice! I am having serious noise issues and my lack of PS skills is showing up.
As I said the other day, this was one of the most incredible sunsets I've witnessed in years. This was taken in the last few minutes of light. We used lighting for the kiva and I wanted to leave the mid ground in silhouette. Even though I have some processing issues, I absolutely love this image.
Somehow this went over 800 pixel and you have to click on "see larger photo"...sorry!
Posted by Todd Caudle on January 25, 2012 at 9:06 AM
I might love it, too, if I could see it.
Posted by Don Grall on January 25, 2012 at 9:27 AM
Wow, Jack, this is an awesome shot. I don't see any noise issues at this size. What ISO did you use? The amount of light on the foreground rocks is perfectly balanced with the sunset, congrats.
Todd, and others, click on his " View Larger Photo" link on the upper right corner of his post !
Posted by Jack Garrett on January 25, 2012 at 9:30 AM
Yeah Todd, somehow with the frame, it went over 800 pixels and automatically put it in the larger photo thing...sorry about that.
Posted by Todd Caudle on January 25, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Ah, didn't notice that on my cellphone screen. Cool shot, just the right amount of artificial light to make it look engaging and not gawdy.
Hi Jack, I'm going to take a different path because I know you appreciate honest critique. Obviously take my comments with a grain of salt, considering your shot seems to feel pretty good to two fantastic photographers that have replied.
The image feels desperate. Forced to take on a "brilliant" sky, which BTW I see zero noise at this size. Stunning starry sky!
Brace yourself, here comes a “jerk alert.” Overall, your image feels like you and I hanging out with flashlights in False Kiva; trying our best to replicate an evening that took place 200 years ago. I assume that's the feel you're going after.
Overall I'm going to challenge the time you shot the image, the light painting and the comp.
First, I love your sky, looks about 20 minutes after sunset. I'm OK with the silhouette skyline, it doesn’t excite me considering I'm a huge fan of seeing Candlestick Tower. The C Tower makes an awesome building block with Canyonlands images. This particular scene when shot with more daylight, the tower will anchor the image, everything else will be just details. The tower appears in this image but it doesn't add much to the comp because the image was shot a bit late for any detail. It’s forgettable here. Second, (matter of personal preference) I think the image may have been shot too wide for this time of night. You have expansive foreground, and the artificial light just doesn't look like what you're trying to replicate, that lonely evening 200 years ago. Maybe too much artificial light? Looks like a flashlight. Thus, if one doesn't believe the light, then one can't believe about half the image. Have a peek at a crop of just the rim of the fire-pit, migrating to a defined skyline silhouette; finishing with just your stunning sky…and no roof. A bit risky but I would at least have a look.
Just another opinion….
Posted by Jack Garrett on January 25, 2012 at 10:15 PM
Kane, I appreciate the honest feedback..that's how I grow. Can you somehow take this image and show me the crop you are talking about? Not quite sure where you want the crop on the kiva. I agree the light looks a little phony but then I think the rangers would get a little upset if I pulled a Michael Fatali although that would make one awesome image. Thanks for the critique Kane and others.
Posted by Debbie Yarra on January 25, 2012 at 11:02 PM
Jack I think your photograph is really good! I love the sky and contrast of the dark middle with the fantastic sky and lit kiva area. I think you did a great job lighting the area. It looks very even certainly not easy. I would like to see a bit of glow coming from the kiva hole. I don't think the rangers would mind a fire too much ! I think I saw a post from someone else doing the kiva with some lighting from the inside and it looked really cool. Anyway, nice job! Blessings. Deb
Posted by Doug Koepsel on January 26, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Jack, you did a good job with getting even illumination. Perhaps a little more on the far kiva stonewall would have been nice- maybe from a small lamp inside the near wall? I like the combo of the stars and sunset colors.
Posted by Jack Garrett on January 26, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Shane McDermott has the image with the kiva lit up...he posted it last fall and was an awesome capture.
Jack, I can't save your image to try a crop. Send me a copy if ya want and I'll give it a shot.
Posted by Scott Fricke on January 27, 2012 at 12:45 AM
Really nice image Jack, I like all the elements with the exception of the light painting, I think the color of the light looks a little harsh (comparatively to Shane's image for reference).
Discussion
11 repliesAs I said the other day, this was one of the most incredible sunsets I've witnessed in years. This was taken in the last few minutes of light. We used lighting for the kiva and I wanted to leave the mid ground in silhouette. Even though I have some processing issues, I absolutely love this image.
Somehow this went over 800 pixel and you have to click on "see larger photo"...sorry!
Todd, and others, click on his " View Larger Photo" link on the upper right corner of his post !
The image feels desperate. Forced to take on a "brilliant" sky, which BTW I see zero noise at this size. Stunning starry sky!
Brace yourself, here comes a “jerk alert.” Overall, your image feels like you and I hanging out with flashlights in False Kiva; trying our best to replicate an evening that took place 200 years ago. I assume that's the feel you're going after.
Overall I'm going to challenge the time you shot the image, the light painting and the comp.
First, I love your sky, looks about 20 minutes after sunset. I'm OK with the silhouette skyline, it doesn’t excite me considering I'm a huge fan of seeing Candlestick Tower. The C Tower makes an awesome building block with Canyonlands images. This particular scene when shot with more daylight, the tower will anchor the image, everything else will be just details. The tower appears in this image but it doesn't add much to the comp because the image was shot a bit late for any detail. It’s forgettable here. Second, (matter of personal preference) I think the image may have been shot too wide for this time of night. You have expansive foreground, and the artificial light just doesn't look like what you're trying to replicate, that lonely evening 200 years ago. Maybe too much artificial light? Looks like a flashlight. Thus, if one doesn't believe the light, then one can't believe about half the image. Have a peek at a crop of just the rim of the fire-pit, migrating to a defined skyline silhouette; finishing with just your stunning sky…and no roof. A bit risky but I would at least have a look.
Just another opinion….
You can see it here:KIVA