Posted by John Mumaw on February 23, 2014 at 6:28 PM
Even though I live close to the area, I always passed by Angel Peak in NW New Mexico on my way to 'somewhere else'. Last weekend, Angel Peak was my destination and it did not disappoint. Only a few miles from Hwy. 550 and 15 miles south of Farmington, NM, the Angel Peak Scenic Area is one of the most scenic badlands in the San Juan Basin, with excellent BLM camping facilities and hiking trails throughout. I shall return again.
Canon 5DII w/24-105 lens @ 60mm
1 sec. @ f8 ISO 100
Two images blended for optimum depth of field, Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Great image! I haven't been to this area before. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by Kane Engelbert on February 23, 2014 at 10:53 PM
Welcome back John! This image is well balanced to my eye. I especially like the horizontal lines in the lovely sky and bentonite hillsides. The color is beautiful and processing looks perfect.
There looks to be some nice zoom opportunities in this area.
Posted by Tom Stermitz on February 24, 2014 at 12:20 AM
Nice photo; nice to have a post about a lesser-known area. That is a great antidote to the thread about bad-photographic etiquette. It wasn't so much the bad behavior that irritated me, as the idea of mobs of photographers all taking the same picture, from the same point, at the same time.
Posted by Ken Henke on February 24, 2014 at 2:31 AM
I agree with Tom; another non-iconic area to visit someday. And, yep, the image is well composed and processed. For me the only thing missing is a snow covered foreground.
Posted by John Mumaw on February 24, 2014 at 4:15 AM
Thanks, folks!
"For me the only thing missing is a snow covered foreground."
Y'know, that's a really good point there, Ken. We're bound to have another good storm here someday, and I'll keep that in mind for a return visit.
Posted by Bob Falcone on February 24, 2014 at 6:23 AM
Your dry spell served you well, my friend... Excellent shot!
Posted by Erik Stensland on February 24, 2014 at 3:09 PM
Nice John! I'm still waiting to find out if you will be serving as a master teacher for those of us who join your pyramid scheme. Count me in!
Posted by Jared Warren on February 25, 2014 at 1:16 AM
Gorgeous light and color, John. I love seeing your great images of less-frequented locations. But I'm not buying (or else I'm misunderstanding) your comment about an 8 month dry spell. For example, you had at least a couple from the greater Page area (in August?) that were top-tier portfolio caliber in my book. But I guess it's nice to have such high standards.
Posted by Stan Rose on February 25, 2014 at 1:24 AM
yeah, i dont get the dry spell either although i havent exactly been immersed in photography the past few months so i may have missed the memo. Real Purty shot tho here, John.
With my long, frequent absences, I'm probably not qualified to welcome you back, but I'm glad to see some new work.
I was just down in Death Valley for the week and have to say that the last decade seems to have added vast numbers of photographers who haven't gotten their ethical feet under them yet. Seems like back in the film days, people fell in love with the landscape first, then became photographers, rather than the other way around. It's a good reason to go looking for your own viewpoints...
For this one, I might try to minimize the contrast in the shaded badlands; make the light just a touch softer. I'd also be tempted to accentuate the contrast between the lit rock formation and the background, pushing the rocks a little warmer and the distant mountains a little bluer.
I agree that a dusting of snow could be a great addition, but I like the current desert/mountain contrast.
Cheers,
Mark.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on February 27, 2014 at 2:30 PM
Very nice John, and good to see a post from you. This looks like an awesome location!
Posted by Kurt Bowman on February 28, 2014 at 12:23 PM
I am also glad to see a post from you John...always loved your work. Why the dry spell? Just not getting out much? Winter is always a slower time for my normal type of photography (wildlife and birds)....which ever, just glad to see a post and congrats on another fine image.
Discussion
12 repliesCanon 5DII w/24-105 lens @ 60mm
1 sec. @ f8 ISO 100
Two images blended for optimum depth of field, Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
8 month dry spell.....broken.
There looks to be some nice zoom opportunities in this area.
"For me the only thing missing is a snow covered foreground."
Y'know, that's a really good point there, Ken. We're bound to have another good storm here someday, and I'll keep that in mind for a return visit.
With my long, frequent absences, I'm probably not qualified to welcome you back, but I'm glad to see some new work.
I was just down in Death Valley for the week and have to say that the last decade seems to have added vast numbers of photographers who haven't gotten their ethical feet under them yet. Seems like back in the film days, people fell in love with the landscape first, then became photographers, rather than the other way around. It's a good reason to go looking for your own viewpoints...
For this one, I might try to minimize the contrast in the shaded badlands; make the light just a touch softer. I'd also be tempted to accentuate the contrast between the lit rock formation and the background, pushing the rocks a little warmer and the distant mountains a little bluer.
I agree that a dusting of snow could be a great addition, but I like the current desert/mountain contrast.
Cheers,
Mark.