I was in Moab Friday on my way back home from a week of company school in Salt Lake. I talked to Mr. Edge and checked out his gallery (nice stuff Bret!) and then went into Arches to take a crack at this shot, which I scouted last weekend on my way to SLC. Sat up there about 3 hours waiting to see what the clouds were going to do for sunset. D800, 24-70, PP in NX2. CC welcome as always. 1200px link in corner. Thanks!
The comp and color are dialed. But I think this one just lacks the optimal conditions we chase. Either it was a windy day (kickin up the dust)or just too hazy. I just can't make the La Sals speak to me in this image. The haze basically renders the peaks out of focus.
Thanks for the feedback Kane. It was very windy earlier in the day, couldn't even see the La Sals while in Moab, and some of the dust stayed aloft. Its hard to see it at this smaller size, but it was also raining on parts of the mountains. I'm going to try a bit more contrast on the mountains and see if I can touch it up some, I really like the shot otherwise.
Although the La Sals aren't as dominant as we expect them to be, either from viewing the scene first hand or through other's images, I love the composition, color and delicate touch of light on the tops of the fiery furnace formations. There's a softness to the image (in a harsh environment) and a layered comp that held my attention. Oftentimes we accept the conditions we're given and they contribute to a larger body of work.
Dave sums up my feelings on this image very well. I like how you used the conditions you were given to mix the sharp foreground fins with the buttes in the background, the hazy La Sals and the swath of clouds over them. All of the X-type lines that can be seen while looking at this composition make it fun to view.
Hi Joshua,
I actually like the soft pastel appearance of this picture a lot. In fact I would consider cropping out most if not all of of the top blue sky above the clouds to keep an even more "full pastel" look to the image. Love the cloud above the La Sals and I think a little crop off of the top would bring that more into play. After the crop, it might make sense to lighten the top of the image a bit too. Well done!
Kipp
PS - was out there this weekend too, definitely not classic Moab conditions but still very interesting with a softer light
I like the overall image and the comp. What surprises me is the sharpness...after everything I've heard about the D800, this image doesn't seem to have any "pop" at all. I was going back and forth between the D800 and the 5d MkII and from this I don't see enough difference to make me go through a major lens/body change.
That being said, the color seems really good....not trying to take away from your hard work Joshua. Hope you don't mind the camera vs comp on this one.
Thanks for the additional feedback guys, I appreciate it.
Jack, about the 800 and this shot, I'd hope you wouldn't write off the camera based on this one shot. While it is true this shot is softer than some I've taken with the 800, I think it was because of conditions (dust, gusty winds) more than any error on the cameras part. In addition, you have to consider that this is greatly reduced in size and "saved for web", and honestly my skills towards smaller web size pics is lacking, example being I don't resharpen for the smaller web size. Just downsize it and save. That all said, I agree that once a person has made a investment in lenses for one company, it would be somewhat foolish to jump ship. With the tech in today's DSLR, one should get results using either system.
Discussion
10 repliesThe comp and color are dialed. But I think this one just lacks the optimal conditions we chase. Either it was a windy day (kickin up the dust)or just too hazy. I just can't make the La Sals speak to me in this image. The haze basically renders the peaks out of focus.
I actually like the soft pastel appearance of this picture a lot. In fact I would consider cropping out most if not all of of the top blue sky above the clouds to keep an even more "full pastel" look to the image. Love the cloud above the La Sals and I think a little crop off of the top would bring that more into play. After the crop, it might make sense to lighten the top of the image a bit too. Well done!
Kipp
PS - was out there this weekend too, definitely not classic Moab conditions but still very interesting with a softer light
That being said, the color seems really good....not trying to take away from your hard work Joshua. Hope you don't mind the camera vs comp on this one.
Jack, about the 800 and this shot, I'd hope you wouldn't write off the camera based on this one shot. While it is true this shot is softer than some I've taken with the 800, I think it was because of conditions (dust, gusty winds) more than any error on the cameras part. In addition, you have to consider that this is greatly reduced in size and "saved for web", and honestly my skills towards smaller web size pics is lacking, example being I don't resharpen for the smaller web size. Just downsize it and save. That all said, I agree that once a person has made a investment in lenses for one company, it would be somewhat foolish to jump ship. With the tech in today's DSLR, one should get results using either system.