Sandstone Vortex

Please see Larger Version

During my week long Anasazi Ruin shooting frenzy, I had time to zip down to Page Arizona and shoot Lower Antelope Canyon for the first time in my life. I was very impressed. That place deserves more than 2 hrs of shooting. I could easily do another 5 days in there. I'll be going back. I had in mind a few iconic comps but ended up not having the right light, obviously due to me just showing up and basically not doing a bit of research. There's so much stuff in there to work I just picked out spots that had good light.

Comments & Critique Welcome

Tech stuff
Canon 6D
two image shift stitch with 24mm tse
F16 1/5
ISO 800
Hand blend multiple exposures, selective curves.

This is sweet! I've seen several shots from this spot, but never this comp. You avoided the brightest highlights and this came out beautifully. Your attention to detail is obvious in both the comp and processing.

Beautiful Kane!

Great image, Kane. Nice work with the processing, blending, and managing the light. My first reaction to the comp was that it was just ok (wasn't sure about the overall balance, and my eye was mostly stuck on the bright area); but the longer I look at the large version the more I like it (the larger swirl/vortex just shows better when viewed large).

I visited lower antelope for the first time last June, and I agree - 2 hours is nowhere near enough time. Very cool place.

This is just masterful, Kane. Larger version is a must see.
I agree with what Erik said. The composition is brilliant and your 'development' is perfect. You've made this spot your own, and that's a real feat in Antelope Canyon. My only minor nit is that the reds appear to be slightly blown in the curve just above dead center. But y'know, that's really reaching technical nit-picking. Overall excellent work!

Sweet shot, Kane! I really like the comp within the square format you've chosen here. The smooth sweeping lines of the top are nicely contrasted by the more rugged texture of the other wall, yet the bolder line on it brings my eye back around. It has an excellent flow to it.

The composition and red center pull the eye nicely into the image. I tried more contrast and/or decreasing the red saturation, but found that your version seemed to work best to create impact. I was thinking the curves of the sandstone in the upper portion of the image needed more contrast as they seem to lack some definition, and the bright red curve in the very center was too much

Yep, superb image for sure. Red variation is outstanding. I wonder if its just the compression or is the brightest area just a tad clipped?

Hi guys, thanks for all the excellent and useful critique. Ken, not long ago I learned that selective highlights and shadow clipping in certain scenes was acceptable to my eye. Marc Adamus wrote an article about it, and it made a lot of sense to me.

WOW....incredible composition on this Kane. Love it. I just gazed for several minutes and then went back to it twice before writing anything. this one definitely captures my attention. Absolutely zero nits from me....just great work all the way around.