Cerro Torre Sunset

Love the shapes and colors of the sky and the peaks in the background. It could be my monitor (probably), but the shadows seem a little strong in the bottom half - I'm not seeing any detail. I'm still wishing I was there to see that in person - amazing.

Sweet dark and mysterious Ian.

Beautiful shot. I see some detail in the shadows, but it does seem like the shadows could be opened up a bit, or that the lighting is a bit unbalanced.

guys, I left the shadows dark on purpose. I know this is heretical in the day of awful HDR images, but shadows CAN be used creatively as a compositional tool. The shadows are used to frame the important parts of the scenes. Just because we can use HDR, doesn't mean we always should!!!!

Ian, I love this photo. Great colors & shadows & great location. I wish I could go there.

guys, I left the shadows dark on purpose. I know this is heretical in the day of awful HDR images, but shadows CAN be used creatively as a compositional tool.

Amen Ian. I like the dark appearance of the image. The shadows put the emphasis on the peaks in the distance and the clouds. This is how it might look directly from a slide of Velvia, and I think the effect works well in this case.

Absolutely beautiful Ian. The color in the sky is amazing and I really like the reflected light on the water.

Dang, did you sacrifice some llamas or what? Awesome wow! and dream-like image Ian... And yes, I like the dark shadows, the guide me to the peak.

Yep, this qualifies as a "dreamscape". I love the bold composition using large shapes. Wonderful.

Nice moody image Ian, great color and comp.

Ian - sorry to have offended you with my comment, I thought that was what this forum was for - honest critique. I agree that shadow can be used in many ways to enhance an image and that HDR (which I've never used, don't know how to use and usually don't like) is not all it's cracked up to be. My point was simply that usually when I see a scene like this, there are darker areas within the scene (shadow) but that, to my eye, they usually don't appear as featureless black areas. That's what the hillside on the left looks like on my monitor (which, as I said, probably needs to be adjusted) :-)

I like the drama in the sky and the mystery created by the shadows Ian. Beautiful work.

Rick, I wasn't offended at all. I am just rather cheeky in my responses. Please don't take it the wrong way -- it was simply intended to be some good-natured ribbing!

Love the dark and moody foreground! Of course, the sky is amazing, too. The combo of them both and the sweet peaks in the middle of the frame make this wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful image! Love the darks and that sky, Bellissimo !

Cheeky responses
I wasn't suggesting you 'HDR' the scene either, just that it appears unnaturally bright at the top and dark below - to MY eye. Obviously thats the way you want it to appear, and of course thats your artistic prerogative. I am just as sick of the overly HDR'd photos as you are by the way! And don't tone down your cheeky responses either, we need some more of those, imo.

Daniel, I'm all cheek today -- check out Rossbach's most recent post and join in for some REAL fun!

Wonderful image. I'm seeing it with a little less on top, not much less, perhaps 20% of the upper cloud bank. I think it still keeps the essence of the amazing sky but adds some emphasis to the distant peaks. Just a thought, it's totally sick as is.

Absolutely beautiful Ian. The color in the sky is amazing and I really like the reflected light on the water.

I've seen these high altitude cloud waves in other shots from this amazing location (I guess it's a rather common phenomenon?), but never quite like this. Very impressive, Ian!

Bold and awesome!!! a fresh take on this stunning mountain... I love how my eye is taken towards the mountain and the patch of blue sky on the horizon... where did you take this from, Ian? I suppose it's much closer to the Cerro than Laguna Torre?

Stunning, Ian! Since I'll probably never get to Cerro Torre, this is the
next best thing. Thanks for sharing.

Just Beautiful Ian...I can feel the movement!

I agree...the shadows are a strong element in this photo...I vote to keep 'em! HDR can be over-done...just because the technology is there doesn't mean we have to use it ALL the time. I love it the way it is! Bravo!

Beautiful composition,light and color.

Seeing this image Ian, all I can say is wow. Wow, wow, wow. One of those spectacular images that leaves one speechless. Stunning.

Whoa, that is some intense color. Beautiful shot! Like the dark shadows.

Beautiful image, fantastic sunset.

This is amazing!

Blah, blah, blah........
I think the shadows are key in images as well as brightness (Jack Brauer's recent post). Much of the community is eager to jump on saying the shadows need to be bumped up or dodge that area and such. My understanding is mood is the catalyst for any image and the most striking images usually aren't the most breathtaking light but rather the most evoking emotionally. This usually pertains to images the that keep you interested as well as some mystery behind them. The shadows here add a sense of realism to me. Well done and to the shadows.........

Thanks for supporting black as a valid color and compositional element in an image Ian. As for cheeky responses, I usually save those for...oh heck I'm not going to go there.... The sky has a surreal other worldly quality even the mountains have that effect, but I imagine it's like that in magical places. Thanks for sharing Ian and of course very well done.

Paul

I find it irresponsible to post pix like this without a warning. Some folks just might up and quit their day jobs to chase dreams like this!!!

Love the front to back flow and the sky is making me emotional.

Did you camp or stay in a B&B?

Wow...amazing colors. Reminds me of the cover of your recent book the "ultimate guide"...

I like the dark foreground, it compliments the sky beautifully. The colors and contrast remind me of a Velvia tranny from the good old days. BOLD is the word that comes to mind when I look at this shot.

Wonderful use of shapes in the composition in addition to the super lighting.

you SHOULD use HDR Ian - it would have added so much details in those slopes and make our eyes wonder around..just kidding..

It's good as it is - the red/yellow channel in the sky looks a little blown. Though dramatic, I have my reservation on this as you made those peaks very small (I understand that the sky was too good to ignore)..hard choice. water and sky dominates the frame and that way, it's unique

Completely successful in the translation of mood! Contrast=drama, period!

Excellent dreamscape!