Posted by Jared Warren on September 10, 2013 at 1:05 PM
About a week ago I drove down to Monticello, UT to visit my 90-year-old grandfather. Grandma passed away in July and he's alone in the house now without much family nearby so I thought I'd go hang out with him for a bit. He put me to work on the farm and wore me out but on the drive back I stopped to capture what images I could. C&C always much appreciated.
The first one is of Church Rock, a familiar sight just off the road between Monticello and Moab. The wildflowers were just past peak but looking better than most years through this spot. Never found a composition I really liked before I had to just plant the tripod where I was as the sun started to rise. This is a focus stack of about 7 images.
Posted by Jared Warren on September 10, 2013 at 1:08 PM
#2
I'd never been to False Kiva before but made my way there by late afternoon and really enjoyed the scene. I wasn't too excited about my color image so I tried B&W to see if I could emphasize the sun rays coming through the clouds. Your thoughts?
Posted by Jared Warren on September 10, 2013 at 1:11 PM
#3
Watching the clouds, I had high hopes for sunset from Dead Horse Point. Just a kiss of light ended up breaking through, but better than nothing.
Posted by Jared Warren on September 10, 2013 at 1:14 PM
#4
Last attempt before dark. This would have been great lit up from underneath like cotton candy, but it wasn't to be on this night. Still had a fun time just being there.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on making any of these better. Thanks!
Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 10, 2013 at 11:12 PM
The first come in first, then #4. Church Rock really stands out nicely and I like the comp. In #4, it feel the lighter areas in the clouds are a little too bright in that they pull my eyes up from the land below and hold then a the top third of the image. In #3, one wish would be that the closer pinnacle and ridge would be more distinct from the background face (maybe increase the brightness of the closer ridge relative to the far face?)
Posted by Jared Warren on September 10, 2013 at 11:46 PM
Thanks, Doug - I appreciate the feedback.
I'll go ahead and post my color version of false kiva as well. Thoughts on which one works better?
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on September 11, 2013 at 4:24 AM
I'm partial to the color version of False Kiva. I prefer the greater detail in the shadows.
That's certainly the best composition that I've seen from Church Rock.
Those wildflowers provide a perfect foreground. Good use of focus stacking.
Posted by Karl Buiter on September 11, 2013 at 8:11 AM
I see the intent behind the #2 B&W version of False Kiva - and it is one of my favorites. But the color just reads so much better.
Wonderful framing find for #1 Church Rock. I know the site well on my regular journeys to Moab from the south. I did not know wildflowers could be found out there.
#3 and #4 just dont do it for me.
Posted by John Mumaw on September 12, 2013 at 3:16 PM
Kudos for some real creative and unique compositions, Jared.
Great find at Church Rock ! That's a tough one to get anything beyond a snapshot and you succeeded well.
I like the two from Dead Horse Point, but probably not strong enough for your portfolio.
Finally, the light rays gave you something more than the same ol' from an iconic location. I also have to give the nod to the color version because the color contrast between warm and cool trumps the more dramatic b&w.
And a special 'Thanks!' for spending time with your grandfather. It was a real nice thing to do, especially because you had to spend time in Monticello.
Discussion
8 repliesThe first one is of Church Rock, a familiar sight just off the road between Monticello and Moab. The wildflowers were just past peak but looking better than most years through this spot. Never found a composition I really liked before I had to just plant the tripod where I was as the sun started to rise. This is a focus stack of about 7 images.
I'd never been to False Kiva before but made my way there by late afternoon and really enjoyed the scene. I wasn't too excited about my color image so I tried B&W to see if I could emphasize the sun rays coming through the clouds. Your thoughts?
Watching the clouds, I had high hopes for sunset from Dead Horse Point. Just a kiss of light ended up breaking through, but better than nothing.
Last attempt before dark. This would have been great lit up from underneath like cotton candy, but it wasn't to be on this night. Still had a fun time just being there.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on making any of these better. Thanks!
I'll go ahead and post my color version of false kiva as well. Thoughts on which one works better?
That's certainly the best composition that I've seen from Church Rock.
Those wildflowers provide a perfect foreground. Good use of focus stacking.
I see the intent behind the #2 B&W version of False Kiva - and it is one of my favorites. But the color just reads so much better.
Wonderful framing find for #1 Church Rock. I know the site well on my regular journeys to Moab from the south. I did not know wildflowers could be found out there.
#3 and #4 just dont do it for me.
Great find at Church Rock ! That's a tough one to get anything beyond a snapshot and you succeeded well.
I like the two from Dead Horse Point, but probably not strong enough for your portfolio.
Finally, the light rays gave you something more than the same ol' from an iconic location. I also have to give the nod to the color version because the color contrast between warm and cool trumps the more dramatic b&w.
And a special 'Thanks!' for spending time with your grandfather. It was a real nice thing to do, especially because you had to spend time in Monticello.