Wow, first visit to this park and it is indeed impressive, particularly if you enjoy a wide variety of rock structures. The variety of color in the sandstone was off the charts. To top it off, the Arches campground was one of best I've ever been in for a "civilized" campground.
The only huge disadvantage is, like Colorado St Parks, one is restricted to sunrise to sunset in most areas of the park. Let's just say I bent the rules a tad bit to get this image.
As always I'm appreciate critical critique on this image. I took some artistic liberty in creating very rich red stripes. Wasn't done via saturation, but the use of various levels adjustments. The image brightness is about right on my screen, but I'm curious if I should darken the whole image a bit.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on April 24, 2014 at 10:40 PM
Ken, I feel the soft light after sunset does this landscape justice. I do not feel the image needs darkening, but my personal tastes would lead to a slight (not much) desaturation.
I agree with Doug 100%. Exposure looks great as is, comp looks about perfect. A little less saturation and a tad more highlights maybe? Great shot Ken.
I might take the light stripes just a touch brighter, using curves (in "luminosity" blending mode so that it doesn't change the saturation -- that's the workaround, if you didn't know already). See what you think about that.
It's a really neat park. For what it's worth, I got the impression that the sunrise-to-sunset rule was for people who paid for a "day" pass. I think you're legal to stick around later if you're camping. That said, I've stretched the rules (in that regard) a number of times myself. I need to get back there for some work in deep twilight.
I appreciate the suggestions, as I needed some other pairs of eyes on this one. It will be relatively easy with luminosity masks to isolate the stripes and apply some adjustments. I do like the rich color a lot, but as I mentioned I took some artistic liberties with those.
Mark, this is a quote from the park regs..." The park is open from sunrise to sunset unless camping in campgrounds or group camping area. After sunset, activity is limited to those areas." So, it does make it sound limiting. I would believe one would be alright as long as they were out before dark. One thing for sure, the park was all mine early and late! And yes, the blue hour is quite impressive.
Bill, you are right, the more one walks, more photo opportunities are found. And there really isn't that much real long distance walking either, compared to national parks. Of course if you love arches (albeit small) there are hundreds. The two I focused in on were Piano and Windstone arches. Windstone was made famous several years ago by David Muench. Its a tiny arch tucked inside a rock cave.Its literally feet from a road, but hard to find without a GPS location. Piano arch is right outside Arch campground and is a good place to roll out bed in the morning for a sunrise shot. If the sun works well, there is a bit a under- arch glow much like Mesa Arch in Canyonlands. Much more subtle, but unique nonetheless. There is also Arch Rock arch not that far from Piano which one can do the same morning. On the scenic drive road one can find an amazing amount of rock structures, vistas, and small interesting formations. Rainbow Vista and Fire Canyon overlooks are impressive at sunset and the blue hour. These vistas display primarily monstrous deep red formations against a mountain background. If snow was ever in the area, wow, that would be the time to be in this park. Fire Wave is also up this scenic drive and well as Crazy Rock that I first saw on Tony Kuyper's website. In fact, many of his images are taken in this park. Crazy Rock is something to behold. However, it is blocked by shadows on both ends of the day. So, I was fortunate and have some hazy clouds roll through to make the appropriate exposure. A bit of rain on Crazy Rock would most definitely bring out the distinct colors. Kaolin Wash is a small canyon wash that has pink and yellow tones that should also be investigated.
I could go on and on but a German couple has put together a ebook that is worth the cost Valley of the Fire These folks are photographers so it is written with that in mind. Be aware the campgrounds are first come and aren't all that big. That said, most folks come from Vegas for a day, with it only 46 miles away.
For those coming a long distance, one can really make the trip even better by visiting Candy Cliffs not far from St. George in the Dixie National Forest. Another amazing place that has a lot a brain rock with stripes, varying colors, and bizarre formations. Candy Cliffs does require a mile plus walk to get to it, however.
I can definitely see myself going back again, but even earlier in the year.
I like this one a lot because you chose to photograph it after the sun set. The light is great!
I must be alone in not thinking that this is too saturated. Whatever liberties you chose can't really be noticed, which is a sign of success, IMO.
I think that what mark is referring to is changing the Levels layer blend mode from Normal to Luminosity so the adjustments only affect the light and not the colors, which creates more saturation.
Looking forward to seeing more from your trip!
Very nice Ken! I don't mind the saturation level either. Aside from what others have said, I might crop a little off the left, my eye tended to want to go to the right side of the image and to me there is just not enough on the very left of the image to hold my interest or anything that adds to the image. I drove by there a few weeks ago and wish I would have stopped and spent a day there.
Discussion
11 repliesWow, first visit to this park and it is indeed impressive, particularly if you enjoy a wide variety of rock structures. The variety of color in the sandstone was off the charts. To top it off, the Arches campground was one of best I've ever been in for a "civilized" campground.
The only huge disadvantage is, like Colorado St Parks, one is restricted to sunrise to sunset in most areas of the park. Let's just say I bent the rules a tad bit to get this image.
As always I'm appreciate critical critique on this image. I took some artistic liberty in creating very rich red stripes. Wasn't done via saturation, but the use of various levels adjustments. The image brightness is about right on my screen, but I'm curious if I should darken the whole image a bit.
What else did you find in your exploration? There are so many nooks and crannies to explore.
I might take the light stripes just a touch brighter, using curves (in "luminosity" blending mode so that it doesn't change the saturation -- that's the workaround, if you didn't know already). See what you think about that.
It's a really neat park. For what it's worth, I got the impression that the sunrise-to-sunset rule was for people who paid for a "day" pass. I think you're legal to stick around later if you're camping. That said, I've stretched the rules (in that regard) a number of times myself. I need to get back there for some work in deep twilight.
Good work!
Mark, this is a quote from the park regs..." The park is open from sunrise to sunset unless camping in campgrounds or group camping area. After sunset, activity is limited to those areas." So, it does make it sound limiting. I would believe one would be alright as long as they were out before dark. One thing for sure, the park was all mine early and late! And yes, the blue hour is quite impressive.
Bill, you are right, the more one walks, more photo opportunities are found. And there really isn't that much real long distance walking either, compared to national parks. Of course if you love arches (albeit small) there are hundreds. The two I focused in on were Piano and Windstone arches. Windstone was made famous several years ago by David Muench. Its a tiny arch tucked inside a rock cave.Its literally feet from a road, but hard to find without a GPS location. Piano arch is right outside Arch campground and is a good place to roll out bed in the morning for a sunrise shot. If the sun works well, there is a bit a under- arch glow much like Mesa Arch in Canyonlands. Much more subtle, but unique nonetheless. There is also Arch Rock arch not that far from Piano which one can do the same morning. On the scenic drive road one can find an amazing amount of rock structures, vistas, and small interesting formations. Rainbow Vista and Fire Canyon overlooks are impressive at sunset and the blue hour. These vistas display primarily monstrous deep red formations against a mountain background. If snow was ever in the area, wow, that would be the time to be in this park. Fire Wave is also up this scenic drive and well as Crazy Rock that I first saw on Tony Kuyper's website. In fact, many of his images are taken in this park. Crazy Rock is something to behold. However, it is blocked by shadows on both ends of the day. So, I was fortunate and have some hazy clouds roll through to make the appropriate exposure. A bit of rain on Crazy Rock would most definitely bring out the distinct colors. Kaolin Wash is a small canyon wash that has pink and yellow tones that should also be investigated.
I could go on and on but a German couple has put together a ebook that is worth the cost Valley of the Fire These folks are photographers so it is written with that in mind. Be aware the campgrounds are first come and aren't all that big. That said, most folks come from Vegas for a day, with it only 46 miles away.
For those coming a long distance, one can really make the trip even better by visiting Candy Cliffs not far from St. George in the Dixie National Forest. Another amazing place that has a lot a brain rock with stripes, varying colors, and bizarre formations. Candy Cliffs does require a mile plus walk to get to it, however.
I can definitely see myself going back again, but even earlier in the year.
I must be alone in not thinking that this is too saturated. Whatever liberties you chose can't really be noticed, which is a sign of success, IMO.
I think that what mark is referring to is changing the Levels layer blend mode from Normal to Luminosity so the adjustments only affect the light and not the colors, which creates more saturation.
Looking forward to seeing more from your trip!