OT: Badlands (with repost)

My business meetings in Rapid City were over at 3:00 so I changed clothes, grabbed my camera, and beat feet to Badlands National Park in search of a sunset. Unfortunately all I got was a bunch of storm clouds moving in from the west and some flat light. Tough to appreciate the Badlands with no specular light for definition so I started looking for patterns and colors.


#1

I saw some flashes of lightning in the distant storm clouds so I quickly pulled off the road and set up the camera. Sat there over 20 minutes with my finger on the shutter but there was no more lightning

#2

Last time I was here I cursed the harsh mid-day light. I guess today the photo karma got me. Clouds all day.


#3

Last one. The first time I saw this building in the mid 80's it was a booming business with a couple dozen pickup trucks parked in front. We were passing through after photographing on Sheep Table Mountain and my wife's uncle told me in very definite terms that we wouldn't stop for a beer because "....white people aren't really welcome here." I hope attitudes on both sides have moderated since then but I guess there's really no way to tell.

That black and white of the Longhorn Saloon is awesome, Bill. Sorry the light didn't cooperate at Badlands. Still, gives me an idea of what to expect on our trip in a few weeks.

Love those pastels, and the b&W of the saloon is very cool. Well done!

I think the light cooperated quite well for you with #2. I like it! A bit of a contrast boost and a slight clockwise rotation to straighten the horizon and you've got a winner here.
And the last one is classic. Sad, but a fine photo.

Thanks for the info John. For some reason often tend to list a bit to port. More contrast, straightened. Note to self: You go to all the trouble to put a level on the hot shoe...USE IT!

I have only been to Badlands once (also in the late afternoon/evening) and ended up wight he same overcast day and flat light...I feel your pain. The place is so beautiful lit up (form what I have seen and have been told). I really like the B&W image best.

Great work with the repost, looks perfect. Love the Longhorn Saloon image, really nice toning on that. Almost wish there was some more room around it but it looks like there might have been some other stuff going on that prohibited that.