I may regret my recent desert trip to Arizona and Utah. I certainly found the slots canyons to be quite fascinating. Obviously, the photographic ops are endless. Now I can't wait to return. In the Escalante area I only had time for Zebra and Tunnel slots, so I have much more to see.
This image was a focus blend of two images. Hard to say if I had the best light since it was my first visit.
Very nice, Ken. Question....explain a little more about the focus blend and how you proceed if you will. About how far in is the first and second exposure? Was your f/stop around f/11?
Slots are a wonderful addiction. Be sure to follow John Mumaw's work in them for some extra inspiration, if you need any...
I find that a good rule of thumb for lighting in a slot canyon that you're new to is to try to have the lit portion of the wall just outside the frame. That maximizes the bounce light without blowing out the highlights.
The only real caution I'd add is to be careful about changing lenses in a slot canyon. If there's any wind at all, it's easy to get gobs of dust on your sensor. But at least we don't have to worry about a single grain of sand scratching a line in the film anymore!
Joe,
The first focus blend image was focused about 1/3 in (hyper focal) at f8. The second image the focus point was at the bright canyon wall at the end, f8 as well. They were combined via Zerene Stacker software. No doubt I could have used Photoshop, but I like the results and speed of Zerene. I used f8 rather than a f22 hyper focal because that is the sweet spot for the lens I was using.
Yea, John's and many of the other slot images I seen on this forum WERE the inspiration to be a desert rat for a week.
Have to admit in all my years of hiking, I've never felt as uncomfortable as being in those slots. I suppose, like a wild critter, I always want an easy escape route handy.
"Hard to say if I had the best light since it was my first visit."
This is OK, but I'm afraid you did not capture this at an optimum time. During the right time in the morning (11 AM+/-), the left wall glows golden with reflected light, while the right wall turns blue due to Rayleigh scattering. Was there any water in the entrance this year? I've encountered everything from knee deep to nose deep in the past.
John, going by what I researched, many said mid morning would be best for light in Zebra. So, I made sure I was there from 8:30 -10:00. When I read those recmmendations, they never indicate what time of year.
It was bone dry. Tunnel slot had thigh high water in one place.
Ken, I personally think this one has potential to be a keeper. The following is just my preference, basically how I would process. Overall the color looks beautiful. I would add a notch or two highlights with curves and at least try a selective color/add black for additional contrast.
Discussion
6 repliesThis image was a focus blend of two images. Hard to say if I had the best light since it was my first visit.
As always, C&C welcome.
I find that a good rule of thumb for lighting in a slot canyon that you're new to is to try to have the lit portion of the wall just outside the frame. That maximizes the bounce light without blowing out the highlights.
The only real caution I'd add is to be careful about changing lenses in a slot canyon. If there's any wind at all, it's easy to get gobs of dust on your sensor. But at least we don't have to worry about a single grain of sand scratching a line in the film anymore!
The first focus blend image was focused about 1/3 in (hyper focal) at f8. The second image the focus point was at the bright canyon wall at the end, f8 as well. They were combined via Zerene Stacker software. No doubt I could have used Photoshop, but I like the results and speed of Zerene. I used f8 rather than a f22 hyper focal because that is the sweet spot for the lens I was using.
Yea, John's and many of the other slot images I seen on this forum WERE the inspiration to be a desert rat for a week.
Have to admit in all my years of hiking, I've never felt as uncomfortable as being in those slots. I suppose, like a wild critter, I always want an easy escape route handy.
It was bone dry. Tunnel slot had thigh high water in one place.