Hidden Arch

Gallery: LandscapePosted April 23, 2010508 views27 comments

This is an image from several years back. The arch is the usual terminus of the Hidden Canyon hike in Zion. Normally there are people milling about, but I was able to get a few frames with people out of the picture.

As much as I like fall color, I find photographing it difficult. There's a certain reality required when processing leaf images, and I'll admit it feels a bit constraining sometimes. That's part of the reason it took me over two years to finally print this--it took some of experimentation to decide how to handle the light. Your thoughts and recommendations would, as always, be appreciated and seriously considered.

Canon 5D, 28-200. Full disclosure Photoshopping for this image is at the bottom of this page.

Comments

27 comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on April 23, 2010 at 11:48 PM

I think this is guite good, Tony. It looks great on my monitor. Very true looking fall color in the leaves so your processing is right on imo. The rock and angle of the lines really sets this off in a wonderful composition. Really nice fall image! Looks like it would make a great print!

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

Comment posted by Jay Nielsen on April 23, 2010 at 11:59 PM

I really like the way the leaves make and arch that mimics the rock arch, almost like an arch within an arch. The dark area beyond the arch gives some great depth. Your processing is spot on perfect as usual.

Registered on October 6, 2008, 137 Posts, 720 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on April 24, 2010 at 3:21 AM

despite living in parts of africa where fall, well, doesn't happen

the colours seems fine to me. but i can see that to you and your colour virtuosity, they may seem to be a little constraining - at least in compositions like this (but i am sure there are occasions when they can benefit from your virtuosity - perhaps when they settled in a colourful disarray!?). compositionally, i would have liked something more to disconnect the arch with what we can see through it ... some more leaves, maybe a darker background??

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

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on April 24, 2010 at 3:45 AM

Tony,

Superb handling of the light. I am impressed with your dedication to perfecting an image and sticking with it until it is just perfect. I expected much more prcessing than you did, which impressed me even more.

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

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on April 24, 2010 at 8:25 AM

The composition is great as well as the details. The color looks good on my monitor also. I also find it difficult to photograph fall colors and it usually takes awhile to process the images. I think you have done very well with this image subtle and not overly done.

Also, thanks for the "full disclosure" link. Very informative.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on April 24, 2010 at 10:14 AM

A truly lovely scene 'developed' perfectly.
The skewed angle of the entire scene and framing of the arch by the foliage makes this so attractive and unique. I even like the sprig of leaves showing from behind the arch.
Thanks for the 'full disclosure'...very helpful in one's evolution in 'developing' images.

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

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on April 24, 2010 at 10:21 AM

u are a champ at these things....

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on April 24, 2010 at 10:30 AM

There is a lot of dynamic movement in this one, Tony. I also think your processing makes the light and color completely natural. Like I'm standing there viewing this natural.

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

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on April 24, 2010 at 1:48 PM

When I first glanced at this I couldn't see the arch. I'm not sure that was your intent or there is something wrong with my brain. This image takes awhile to soak in. The framing of the arch is certainly pleasing to the eye and the processing is spot on. Keeping the viewer involved is what I try to do in my own images and you did a great job here Tony.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Kayne on April 24, 2010 at 4:19 PM

The colors are excellent. The arch throws me into a compositional spin as its shape gives the image an optical illusion looking like it is on an angle...

Thanks. Joe.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Shane McDermott on April 24, 2010 at 5:23 PM

Hey Tony, this seems like a big vista for you! I like it! Like a mysterious sand stone portal, just inviting me to step through. Beautifully finished!

Registered on November 12, 2007, 49 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on April 24, 2010 at 7:31 PM

Great natural colors and the scene is inviting me in to explore behind the arch. A different image for you and I think you did it justice. Very sharp and well balanced image Tony
Well done

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on April 25, 2010 at 12:44 AM

This looks terrific to me, Tony! That is a well camouflaged arch. Great fall color with all the leaves/trees well defined in the landscape. Love the slanting lines in the dark rock as a complement to the softer shapes of the leaves and all their color.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on April 25, 2010 at 1:28 AM

You've got a real gem here Tony. The composition is simple, but quite effective and the leaf colors look great. Thanks for the full disclosure link.

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on April 25, 2010 at 1:53 AM

This is stunning Tony. Color and everything look perfect in my opinion. Your persistence paid off. Phenomenal work.

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

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on April 25, 2010 at 3:38 AM

It is great to see such subject mattter shot by you - autumn foliage, something don't get to see often through your eyes. What can I say, looks excellent. There is an amazing balance in the composition. Thanks also for disclosing the "photoshopping". It's very instructive.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on April 25, 2010 at 9:27 AM

Oh, I love the square crop and the way the arch is enveloped in the beautiful fall foliage. Your handling of light is perfect, perhaps *because* it took 2 years to mature in your mind before the image set in. Absolutely beautiful.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on April 25, 2010 at 9:39 AM

Nice display of colors and textures Tony, something a little different from your other images I've seen. Nice capture.

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

Comment posted by Bill Dark on April 25, 2010 at 10:56 AM

I think you handled the light beautifully. The color is rich, but not overly saturated, and just the right amount of detail in the shadows. Gorgeous...IMO.

Registered on May 27, 2005, 148 Posts, 1121 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Roane on April 25, 2010 at 5:34 PM

beautifully seen and processed, Tony - looks great!

Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on April 25, 2010 at 8:17 PM

Tony,

Just a masterful job at processing the light, shadows, color and saturation with this one.

There's a certain reality required when processing leaf images, and I'll admit it feels a bit constraining sometimes.

Very interesting and astute observation and comment Tony and I agree.

I love the framing here with the surrounding leaves really containing the archway. Excellent capture and of course processing.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on April 25, 2010 at 9:38 PM

I love the colors and 99% of this shot. Here's the problem (which no one else has mentioned so maybe you can safely ignore me

) When i first looked at the shot, i thought "what an odd shaped rock in the middle" It was only after looking for a couple minutes that i realized it was an arch and not a rock--what i thought was in front was actually behind! So, bit of a 2D problem for me. Not sure the remedy--could just be the fact that the light is somewhat flat--but maybe a darker bg would help

Anyhow, being picky cause i expect perfection from you, TK

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

Comment posted by Giovanni Allievi on April 26, 2010 at 2:58 AM

Hi Tony,

very nice composition and colors. I love how the foliage frames the arch.

Giovanni

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on April 26, 2010 at 8:55 AM

A little late to the party, but certainly glad I showed up! This has a glow to it that is so attractive. The first thing I thought when I saw this was that I wish I could use your masks with half the proficiency you can. Beautiful image throughout the frame.

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

Comment posted by Anil Rao on April 26, 2010 at 1:54 PM

Hi Tony,

The composition is very striking, specially how the leaves seem to be protecting the arch. However, what really makes this sing in my opinion is the sense of reality that is being projected. As you have mentioned, get things to work right when leaves are involved is hard and you have done an absolutely brilliant job here. It was definitely worth the time and effort.

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

Comment posted by Angela Classen on April 26, 2010 at 5:40 PM

Simply beautiful! I hope to visit Zion in the fall...someday...

Registered on June 13, 2007, 434 Posts, 2742 Comments

Comment posted by Laura Stafford on April 29, 2010 at 10:05 PM

I like the vivid colors, and I like how the trees are framing the rock making it look like a cave. Great capture.

Laura Stafford

Registered on November 3, 2009, 52 Posts, 375 Comments