Red Beds and Giant Heads

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 8, 2010153 views8 comments

It's pretty difficult to find a unique shot of Devil's Tower National Monument as it is such a small area (1300 acres). Last month, the wife and I walked all over the place trying to find something new. I think this is somewhat of a new shot, although this angle has been photographed before. It's actually pretty close to the entrance, go figure. However, the conditions this morning were pretty sweet, and this is one of only two areas near the tower where there is any sort of water movement. I believe this is the Bell Fourche river.

Funny thing, that flowery thing in the front is actually Leafy Spurge, some call it the scourge of the West. ;]

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, f/18 @ 21 mm, CPL. 3 image manual blend for shadows and highlights...the usual. ;]

Thanks for looking.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on July 8, 2010 at 10:51 PM

I like the zig zag fluvial element, and the daylight, oh so damn taboo in this forum, works for me.
What a nice layout of colors. Well done.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on July 9, 2010 at 3:35 AM

Nice mix of elements--looks good, Nicolaus!

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

Comment posted by Mathieu Hoareau on July 9, 2010 at 6:08 AM

Oh wouah, the light on the 'hill' is delightful. The foreground evenly pretty with this wildflower..Really fantastic location !!!

Registered on July 9, 2010, 4 Posts, 120 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on July 9, 2010 at 8:08 PM

Nicolaus,

Can't dispute anything about the plant being the "scourge of hte West," but I will say that it works beautifully in the composition! In fact the whole comp is excellent, simple with each of the elements balanced nicely with each other, including the nice s-curve of the river. You also have quite the wonderful sky to accompany the scene. Well done!

Lon

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

Comment posted by Angela Classen on July 10, 2010 at 12:31 PM

I'm surprised this one hasn't received more comments - it's very nice! I like the S curve of the river and the flower is a nice FG element. You handled the contrasty light very well with great details in the shadows and no blown highlights. Very well done!

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

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on July 10, 2010 at 12:46 PM

Hahah, Angela, perhaps because I'm not a pro, but thank you. ;]

Tons of great photos on this site, probably one of the most concentrated groups of nature photography talent on the web from what I've seen. It's an awesome place to learn.

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on July 11, 2010 at 1:20 AM

I'll echo Angela's comments that it's absurd how few views and comments this photo has received to this point. The composition is remarkable in that in spite of the nearest and farthest focal points being on the left edge, there remains an excellent balance. I like the big, bold, and distinct sections of color with intricate textures within each area. At first I thought that the red and yellow areas weren't keeping up with the green in terms of richness, but after looking longer, I no longer have that feeling.

I hope it's something more than your relative anonymity that has led to the lack of views here. Maybe Matt is right about the daylight thing. Sometimes it's just the time of the week you happen to post.

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on July 11, 2010 at 6:23 PM

Subtle and effective.

Maybe a toning down of the highlights on and around the "tower"?

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments