Untitled

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 21, 2011733 views45 comments

First off, a note of sincere gratitude for the helpful comments on my last post. They not only improved the picture, but they helped me learn some new techniques to develop images. Thank you for your opinions and insight.

Developmentally, I was experimenting with texture here--the texture of the relief, of the rock surface, and even the colors. The large version shows this a bit more. In the end it seems a bit chaotic and confusing, and maybe that's why I still haven't figured out what to call it.

Your thoughts on the image will, as always, be helpful and appreciated.

5D2, 28-200

Comments

45 comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on January 22, 2011 at 12:15 AM

'Shape Shifter' would be a good title?

The patterns are real nice, and I love the color.

Well done, as usual, Tony!

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Jason Kim on January 22, 2011 at 12:21 AM

This is a feast for the eyes. Your processing looks beautiful as always, and the detail and texture, colors are just wonderful. If I can make any helpful suggestions at all, it would be to experiment with a version where the area behind that column of rock is just a bit darker, so that it's more obvious there's a gap back there (if, in fact, there is a gap back there).

Registered on July 1, 2006, 60 Posts, 1233 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on January 22, 2011 at 4:14 AM

Tony:
Fascinating colors and layering. Looks like Jupiter's Red Spot and maybe 'Eye of Jupiter' would be appropriate for a title.

Top notch image as usual.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on January 22, 2011 at 5:38 AM

Tony, I think "Untitled" is a good choice for this marvellous abstraction, as I don´t miss any information about location an so on. It works well for me that you nearly do without any three-dimensional elements, thus concentrating on the pure graphic effect. Maybe darkening the lights in the left upper part could pronounce this even more, as for me there still remains a last bit of plasticity.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Balakumar Kaushik on January 22, 2011 at 5:39 AM

Tony, this is a typical image where, the more you look at it, the more you are drawn towards it. Simple loved the designs on this surface, the details & wild colours. The larger version certainly needs to be seen for better appreciation of the image & thanks for sharing the same.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 98 Posts, 1403 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Haxby on January 22, 2011 at 6:33 AM

I like the creativity it took to see this as a photographic subject. Nice lighting and detail.

Registered on July 6, 2006, 126 Posts, 647 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 22, 2011 at 8:08 AM

Wow, this will twist your head around at first glance. So much for the eyes to absorb. Amazing texture and color and, as always, your processing is dead on perfect. I imagine this would be a really difficult image to compose and yet, you managed to find a very coherent comp for it. Excellent work Tony. Can't help with the title though!

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

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on January 22, 2011 at 8:10 AM

Have revisited this in the hopes I would find a title. My 10 yr. old grandson suggests "Random Colors." It is an interesting pattern of colors and shapes, but for me the lack of shadows behind the column and the other protuding surfaces steals the depth factor which would give it even more interest.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 22, 2011 at 8:16 AM

I love the colors and this has amazing lines and shapes. The texture is wonderful. Once again I want to reach out and touch it. I think your experiment with the texture worked out great. This really has it, Tony.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Raymond D Smith on January 22, 2011 at 9:14 AM

It sure is eye candy Tony. I love the way the forms play tricks with your eyes as to what's in front and what's behind. I love the lower right corner with that subtle purple blue bands, awesome. You have done a marvelous job of bringing all the textures out, I am sure the only way to enjoy this is in a print. A great photo. Cheers

Registered on January 22, 2009, 12 Posts, 479 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on January 22, 2011 at 9:54 AM

Well, I can't make heads nor tails out of this one, and that's a good thing. Really keeps me engaged! 'Development' is strong as usual...no tips from me. This reminds me of artwork from M. C. Escher. "Escher's World" ?
And thanks for posting a larger version. Much easier to get lost in that one!

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

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on January 22, 2011 at 10:32 AM

Stunning image , beautiful colours and textures. Love the patterns and swirls. An image you would never tire of viewing!

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on January 22, 2011 at 10:33 AM

WOW, seems to pop right out there to me. A very strong sandstone image here, Tony.
Whatever the process you used it does seemingly enhance the sandstone offsets, or makes it appear there are / were offsets anyway. From your comment it sounds like you have once again devised yet another tool or set of tools to add to your arsenal of creative digital processing. Way to go!...

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

Comment posted by Mitch Erwin on January 22, 2011 at 10:38 AM

This is a "trippy" photo Tony! One that really makes you sit there and look! I love the texture, and color in this!

Registered on April 24, 2006, 98 Posts, 656 Comments

Comment posted by Mitch Erwin on January 22, 2011 at 10:39 AM

This is a "trippy" photo Tony! One that really makes you sit there and look! I love the texture, and color in this!

Registered on April 24, 2006, 98 Posts, 656 Comments

Comment posted by Julian Barkway on January 22, 2011 at 11:06 AM

Astonishing colours and patterns in them thar' rocks!

Compositionally, I can understand your quandary. It's almost two pictures in one, to my mind, with the left half being marginally stronger than the right. I'd crop it square and lose the RHS completely (I'm not saying the RHS is inferior but I find the patterns and shapes on the left to be a little more appealing - could it be that the 'eye' is a little too dominant?)

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on January 22, 2011 at 12:12 PM

This is what your brain looks like after eating dinner while looking at NPN photos.

You are taking texture, color, and line to a whole new level, Tony. Such a keen eye to find this and translate it so well.

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

Comment posted by dean hebert on January 22, 2011 at 1:21 PM

Tye-dyed psychadelia! Mind bending swirling vortex, gateway to the 9th dimension!

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on January 22, 2011 at 1:31 PM

Whoa.... so very interesting, psychedelic and mesmerizing. I love it.

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

Comment posted by Jim Greenwood on January 22, 2011 at 2:00 PM

This is fantastic! But ... I'm in agreement with Julian's comments. There is perhaps too much to look at and take in for it all to be contained within a single composition. For me, there are two distinct compositions here, the left 2/3rds and the right 1/3rd.

Registered on November 9, 2003, 229 Posts, 1523 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 22, 2011 at 2:14 PM

I can definitely see what you're saying about splitting the image. However, I actually liked the way there is a bit of an echo between these two vertical shapes. Maybe it's a matter of making the right one more visually inferior to the left one so that there is less equality but still the repetition. Certainly something I will consider.

I did add some subtle darkening behind the first column on the master file as suggested by Peter and Patricia and like the results.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Rossbach on January 22, 2011 at 3:49 PM

Sandstone gone wild!!! Tremendous image and the processing looks spot on Tony!!!

Registered on November 25, 2005, 484 Posts, 1377 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on January 22, 2011 at 4:07 PM

i can call this "almost never known" i think this is the best title for this work Tony

i really liked your outlook in containing the scene some thing different here

wish you all the best Man

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

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on January 22, 2011 at 5:52 PM

Very nice Tony. This really grabs your attention and keeps it in the image for quite a while.

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on January 22, 2011 at 6:48 PM

Very cool, Tony--great semi-abstract shot. I like the confusion here. I'll entitle it:
"Man, I am just really craving a burger and a microbrew"
not cause that's what this reminds me of, im just really hungry right now and all these dang pretty pics are keeping me from dinner...

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

Comment posted by Andrew Morrill on January 22, 2011 at 11:07 PM

Definitely psychedelic feeling - love the strong color and swirling shapes. Not sure if it's just my monitor, but some of the very brightest sections seem just a little bit "hot". As an idea - maybe bring up the tones on the far left lower section (the more shadowy section) as a means of somewhat equalizing the luminosity in the image (the shadow draws my eye) and thereby further emphasizing the color/texture/lines. Very creative as always.

Registered on June 10, 2010, 51 Posts, 216 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Myers on January 23, 2011 at 12:14 AM

What a stunning image. Such great color, texture, patterning. I'm glad those vertical edges are there to give a sense of depth.

Registered on September 1, 2008, 85 Posts, 757 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on January 23, 2011 at 2:40 AM

I've been staring at this for some time now and I still don't get it, it's great though..whatever it is!

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on January 23, 2011 at 5:34 AM

This has a very abstract appeal. I really like the the patterns and the texture in combination with the color. The processing looks great. This is absolutely execellent

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

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on January 23, 2011 at 8:31 AM

This is a wonderful study in textures, colors, and patterns. Really love your processing here, I bet this looks amazing viewed even larger. Great work.

I like the Shape-shifter title, fitting for the subject material..

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

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on January 23, 2011 at 10:56 AM

Not sure about a title, not even real sure what I'm seeing here - but I really like the chaos!

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on January 23, 2011 at 12:02 PM

This is spectacular, Tony. The swirls and colors are enough to hold anyone's attention but a deeper look adds depth and texture that make it a real joy to view.

Guy

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

Comment posted by Rafael Rojas on January 23, 2011 at 2:10 PM

I see faces, galaxies, ghosts, ancient art from another civilization, the art of nature and a fried egg. I could stare at this for weeks. Tony, you are the god of the rocks :)

Registered on March 1, 2009, 56 Posts, 623 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on January 23, 2011 at 2:17 PM

Bizzare!

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

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on January 23, 2011 at 4:20 PM

Tony, this is just superb. Psychedelic and hypnotic at the same time. I cant stop looking at it.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on January 23, 2011 at 6:13 PM

Tony, this is such a fascinating photograph. You really have to look hard at it to start seeing what is going on. I actually think "Confusion" would be a pretty good title.

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 23, 2011 at 6:44 PM

Tony,

This is mind bending. I don't know how many times I've viewed this and I still can't figure it out! That makes this pretty darn engaging and mysterious. You processing is masterful, but I'm not really sure that any more or any different processing would change the abstract mystery of this. You mention "the first column" in a comment. I think I can find the first column - but there's more than one?

This has to be one of the most unique sandstone images I've ever seen.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Rodrigo Sandoval on January 23, 2011 at 7:33 PM

Absolutelly beautiful!
Not an easy result I guess and it definetly took some vision before composing the shot. Curious to see the original (unprocessed) version to learn a bit of how you got there. Amazing result.

Registered on April 4, 2009, 13 Posts, 254 Comments

Comment posted by Edward Nunez on January 23, 2011 at 9:12 PM

Out of this world!... So abstract with 3D look to it. Great!

Registered on April 19, 2007, 65 Posts, 711 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on January 23, 2011 at 11:31 PM

Cool shot Tony. The details in the larger version are amazing. This is a lot of fun to look at.

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

Comment posted by Yan Zhang on January 24, 2011 at 12:47 AM

Tony,

I was amazed by the details of the texture and colors from the large version. I don't have particular comments on this image, but more like to learn the technique.

Registered on April 10, 2010, 28 Posts, 292 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on January 24, 2011 at 4:41 AM

Really mindbending here Tony! I cant stop staring at this. If I had to offer any nits on this, I might suggest to crop 1/7th of the top off where the texture is different. This is seriously cool tho!

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

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on January 24, 2011 at 4:44 AM

superb kaleidoscope of warm colours tony. the large (false) eye reminds me of a large moth's wings. the only thing that i think i might regret is the loss/lack of form - it's there but it's not, i think, as sculpted and three-dimensional as the actual rock may be?!?

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

Comment posted by Jay Patel on January 24, 2011 at 8:33 AM

While the textures and colors are fantastic, the image seem rather flat. There are no shadows or variation of light that allows me to see how macro textures of the rock would be like...not sure if this was intentional or not.

The chaotic nature of the image is appealing...rather then a distraction as it keeps viewers attention focused on the image. Overall a very good image...somewhat different in terms of composition.

Thanks.
-Jay

Registered on August 28, 2008, 87 Posts, 566 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on January 24, 2011 at 2:14 PM

Fantastic colors and textures here. The lack of shadows does make it a little difficult to figure out what is coming and what is going! It does really make me look hard to figure this one out.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments