Agave On The Rocks

Haven't been many image posts lately (probably cuz it's mud season there in CO), so I thought I'd post something from last night. I originally wanted to get out to shoot the near full moon rising over Sedona's red rocks, but dark clouds to the east (and a clearing sky in the west) made me rethink my plans. So instead, I visited this previously scouted location in the Schnebly Hill area and hoped for some nice sunset light. I didn't quite get the light I was hoping for as the sky color was much better behind me (story of my life), but the shot turned out fairly decent. The Mitten Ridge formation in the background is actually much more "in your face" than this image suggests as it was shot at 13mm...less than a foot from the closest agave. Kinda fun to play with those ultra wide angles at times!

Guy, I think this one has a lot of potential. It's already pretty darn good as is. The composition and color are perfect. However I think the sky doesn't show enough detail or contrast. That sky has it all including potentially great color, and cloud balance. I thinkthis one just screams to be hand blended with a darker exposure for the sky.

This is very nice Guy. The composition is great and knowing the area, I know how big mitten ridge really is. The colors in the foreground and red rocks are perfect for me, but like Kane said the sky is a bit lacking. A bit darker with some contrast and maybe a few points of saturation and it is perfect. Was just up there the other day passing through and there were nice clouds all over. I was bummed I had to keep driving.

It's kind of funny in that I processed the sky quite a bit (there wasn't alot of detail in the raw) and was worried that I went too far and it looked over processed! Anyway, I'll play with a bit more when I get a chance to see what I want to do with it.

Thanks guys!

I agree with the other guys about the sky. It'll be absolutely stunning after that

Ok, new version with reworked sky...

Oh yeah!!!!! This is terrific!

Leave it to me to take the opposite view! After seeing the re-worked version, I like the first one better. In the second one, my eye gets pulled right past the peaks to the clouds, just my 2 cents worth.

I like the repost better. The added contrast in the sky brings out the drama in those clouds. However, comp-wise I would have liked to have seen just a bit less sky on the top in favor of allowing more room on the bottom to show the tips of the foreground agave plant that are cut off.

Sweet shot, it looks like a fantastic landscape there, and great comp.

Really like the repost. Brings out the sky and I like the colors in the foreground.

I like the adjustment to the sky regarding contrast and saturation to especially the left side. The bottom left cloud band now looks like a dark and dirty contrail, so you might lighten it some. The cut off agave tips along the bottom edge may not bother me, as including them may also/possibly add too much empty space in the lower corners. The image has good near/far depth to me.