Poodle Rock

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 19, 2010823 views40 comments

The alignment needs to be just right in order to see the Poodle, but it's nearly unmistakable from the designated spot. The image was taken 15 to 20 minutes after sunset. The original hope was that the setting sun would ignite the clouds as it set, but this did not happen. However, after the sun was gone, some warm light crept into the clouds as the glowing western sky illuminated the rock.

This particular rock always wants to be vertical in my viewfinder, but I made an effort to do some horizontals for variety. While the clouds aren't all that fancy, they seem to fill the space OK to make the horizontal work.

Your thoughts and suggestions would as always be appreciated.

5D, 28-200.

(John/Craig--If it's important, I guided Momo and Tsaba to this location. Momo and I also have similar shots from here when Momo was the guide (Momo's image), just in case you missed it. Interesting how we got good clouds on both occasions as a result of similar conditions of light and weather.)

Comments

40 comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on March 19, 2010 at 11:30 PM

Tony, I think this is really nice. To me this horz. shot is terriffic. I love the way you framed it. I think the clouds worked out perfect for this. Very nice just setting back and looking at this for awhile (just what I was doing). Like it alot. Great detail too.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Abdullaziz Bin Ali on March 20, 2010 at 12:40 AM

What a unique rock :)
the light is perfect on the rock. Also, I like the cloudy sky

Well done Tony

Registered on May 31, 2009, 112 Posts, 1590 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Sullivan on March 20, 2010 at 2:03 AM

Nice. But who was standing next to you when you took this shot? Clouds look identical.

Registered on May 2, 2006, 55 Posts, 137 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on March 20, 2010 at 4:55 AM

Great shot, Tony. The vertical comp was a good choice - the curvature in the clouds adds a nice dynamic to the image.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on March 20, 2010 at 5:15 AM

I like the color combo in this shot. The yellow of the rock against the soft purples of the sky is very nice. I also the like the space shapes in the comp, and the room you've given around the rock. The way the fg land angles up from left to right to meet the verticle rock is very nice in the horizontal comp, which you would obviously not achieve in a verticle. I like the balance of the shot because of this.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Gasior on March 20, 2010 at 8:26 AM

Nice shot ! very interesting rock. I like the colors, beautiful sky

Registered on March 7, 2010, 99 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on March 20, 2010 at 8:28 AM

Reminds me of a similar composition.

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Julian Barkway on March 20, 2010 at 8:36 AM

I think the clouds are perfect. Too 'fancy' and they would distract attention from the delicate light on the sandstone and the beautiful simplicity of the composition. Excellent work, Tony.

Registered on January 18, 2007, 344 Posts, 1961 Comments

Comment posted by John Kerr on March 20, 2010 at 8:39 AM

I think the clouds are great. With the low horizon line in the BG it really gives the feeling of wide open space and the clouds add a nice subtle color. Nice color on the "poodle" and placement of it in the frame.

Registered on October 28, 2009, 111 Posts, 1070 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on March 20, 2010 at 8:49 AM

This definitely works for me Tony, I like the horizontal comp here to give you more of the landscape, and I think those clouds have enough interest to fill the sky nicely. Great light and colors.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on March 20, 2010 at 9:49 AM

Sweet light, Tony. I think the clouds balance out this horizontal version rather nicely. BTW I see the poodle.

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on March 20, 2010 at 10:11 AM

Love the near infinity of the clouds and horizon Tony. Nice warm colors too. Very cool!!

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on March 20, 2010 at 10:40 AM

Tony, this is a truly wonderful scene IMO. The very isolated structure against the vast open area all around just enhances the figure so well. This angle of view really does provide the very distinct "poodle" look too. An all around excellent image.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on March 20, 2010 at 10:41 AM

The horizontal works very well. The clouds are great.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on March 20, 2010 at 11:29 AM

A classic Kuyper image - I love the light on the poodle and the clouds are a great accent.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on March 20, 2010 at 12:36 PM

Tony,

I can definitely make out the poodle. As always the light is perfect, which I have come to expect from your work. I think what fascinates me most about the whole photo is the flatness of the BG along with how it is speckled. It really makes the poodle that much more prominent.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on March 20, 2010 at 1:55 PM

Beautiful image as always, really enjoy your comp.

Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolas Belokurov on March 20, 2010 at 3:15 PM

What a great place to be, wonderful capture. I really like the textures of the rock.

Registered on July 22, 2009, 41 Posts, 533 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on March 20, 2010 at 5:25 PM

It's not just your processing, because your comps are always so solid, but man, can you make an image sing! Just fantastic.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on March 20, 2010 at 6:41 PM

Cool! Great light and conditions. It's interesting to compare to Momo's less saturated clouds, im not sure which i prefer to be honest! I would crop a little of the lhs for thirds, the 1/3.5 here adds some tension, but im not sure this scene calls for added tension--looks more peaceful to me, like perfect thirds

Anyhow, a winner shot for sure!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on March 20, 2010 at 8:27 PM

I do see the poodle waitng for a dog treat! I love the warm light on the hoodoo and color in the sky Tony. Nice composition and quality of light.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Taylor Reed on March 20, 2010 at 9:21 PM

Really nice, especially once you see the "poodle." The subtle color in the clouds compliments the stone.

Registered on February 18, 2010, 26 Posts, 556 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on March 20, 2010 at 10:25 PM

Wow, what great light. I like the horizontal comp with the line leading to the rock. Very nice!

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Kartik Venkatarama on March 20, 2010 at 10:55 PM

Killer image!

Registered on July 27, 2007, 197 Posts, 830 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on March 21, 2010 at 7:50 AM

Love the magenta clouds scattered about the scene. The light on the rock formation is exceptional Tony
Its great to see a lot of sky here in your image because your probably prone not to include it mostly. Nice to change it up a little, but please don't make it a habit

Great shot Tony
Well done

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on March 21, 2010 at 7:51 AM

Love this one. Great shot.You capture some beautiful light here. The soft purple colored clouds in the sky contrasts very well the yellow rock. I think the horizontal comp is a good choice here. Works really well with the vertical rock.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Alex Mody on March 21, 2010 at 8:13 PM

Great stuff.. I love it!

Registered on December 25, 2007, 163 Posts, 1896 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on March 21, 2010 at 9:01 PM

I really like the horiz comp. It kinda gives it a lone sentinal feel to it. The light, of course...is up to your impeccable standards

Just a thought though...I am wondering if a little more drama in the sky could help add emotion to this seemingly desolate scene. Darken the darks and lighten the lights a tad and I think it might improve the image even more, to me at least.

Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on March 22, 2010 at 1:18 AM

Phenomenal Tony. The light is perfect. Love the simplicity of the composition. Incredible art.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on March 22, 2010 at 1:52 AM

When I saw it I knew it for you

amazing and wonderful as usual

great contrast and light

well done man

Hamed

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on March 22, 2010 at 4:27 AM

This is amazing -- both the structure itself and how its been showcased in this photograph. The compostion is so effective, with the enormity of the barren desert serving as the perfect backdrop.

Although you seldom include the sky in your work, when you do so it is always really well done.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on March 22, 2010 at 4:50 AM

nice comp and placement of rock gives feeling of vast space in BG.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Giovanni Allievi on March 22, 2010 at 5:50 AM

Kind of guessed it was a shot from you, Tony!

The light and comp are pretty nice, my only nit is that my eyes wants to see the rock meet the LRC instead of "falling" down.

Ciao.
Giovanni

Registered on March 26, 2008, 87 Posts, 379 Comments

Comment posted by Emmanuel Coupe on March 22, 2010 at 7:09 AM

Really enjoy this one Tony and it makes me miss being is such scenery. Horizontal works nicely, the clouds and terrain in the BG enhance the sense of depth and the light on the rock gives the image a 3D feel. Simple effective and elegant photograph.

Registered on March 17, 2007, 83 Posts, 341 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on March 22, 2010 at 12:59 PM

Such a beautiful scene of color and vast landscape, something I dont see here in the Northeast. Beautiful work Tony

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on March 22, 2010 at 2:21 PM

Tony,

As usual, your handling of the light and masterful processing is really showcased here. The horizontal capture works very well with the vertical subject too.

That's one proud poodle too! :-)

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on March 22, 2010 at 2:24 PM

Gotta love the Poodle! I think the soft light works well here, TK. The non dramatic clouds compliment the light on the rock.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Mary Dennis on March 22, 2010 at 6:40 PM

Excellent job on the alignment here Tony. I can see that it is really critical to the success of the poodle recognition. Very sweet light indeed. Any Labrador rock formations out there?

Registered on November 1, 2003, 290 Posts, 2897 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on March 22, 2010 at 10:19 PM

Love the comp, and love the light. Absolutely perfect IMO!!!!

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Bruno Silva on March 23, 2010 at 8:47 AM

oh, this is(as usual)lovely, tony! sorry I´m late here but I´ve been working a lot! everything has been said about this one. light, framing and colors are awsome. another great adition to you´re portfolio.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 132 Posts, 1406 Comments