Brain Explosion

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 23, 2011400 views22 comments

I love the monsoon season in the Desert Southwest. Massive thunderstorms blew through the Vermillion Cliffs NM all afternoon, clearing just before sunset. The western horizon was completely clear, allowing the sunset light to hit all of the high-altitude storm clouds completely unobstructed.

Nikon D3, 14-24mm at 14mm
0.8 sec at f/18, ISO 100

C&C appreciated and welcome as always. Thanks!

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Andrew Morrill on January 23, 2011 at 3:50 PM

Wow, incredible shot Alex! Contrast, color, composition all fantastic. Love the title too. Congrats!

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

Comment posted by Andrew Morrill on January 23, 2011 at 4:02 PM

Hey just thought of an alternate title for this - Cerebral Explosion - just thought I'd let ya know.

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

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on January 23, 2011 at 4:06 PM

Wow is the word for this wonderful image and I agree with Andrew, the title is great too

Well captured.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on January 23, 2011 at 4:35 PM

Interesting foreground

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on January 23, 2011 at 5:06 PM

This gets my synapses firing.
Wonderful textures and comp, congrats on the lucky light.

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on January 23, 2011 at 5:32 PM

Very cool shot! Just in the lines of how I would want to shoot it!

I do find the textural defect (if you will) in the left side of the frame in the middle in the rock a little distracting.

How was getting in here and out?

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

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on January 23, 2011 at 5:50 PM

Awesome shot Alex. I love the light on the thunderstorm clouds. The shapes in the clouds also mimic the shapes in the brain rock really well.

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

Comment posted by Rodrigo Sandoval on January 23, 2011 at 5:50 PM

The name definetly got me and the picture is just perfect. I like the balance, although would love the horizon just a bit more higher. Excellent result nonetheless.

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on January 23, 2011 at 8:32 PM

Magnificent photo. That sky shows amazing color and cloud formation. The contrast of that with the unusual looking rocks is brilliant.

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

Comment posted by John Mumaw on January 23, 2011 at 8:44 PM

You sure caught some outrageous light at this place!
Having said that, I greatly prefer the horizontal composition that you have posted on your 'blog. The balance between foreground and skies in that version just seems to make a better image.

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

Comment posted by Alex Mody on January 23, 2011 at 8:52 PM

Thank you all for the comments so far.

Mark, getting in and out was a breeze, as the rain made the deep sand quite a bit easier to drive through.

John, I was going to post that one next! I'm still torn between the two, as I like them both for different reasons. I'll have to pick one, though.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 23, 2011 at 9:26 PM

That's pretty cool, Alex. Certainly captures the monsoon mood well.

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

Comment posted by Joel Hazelton on January 23, 2011 at 9:44 PM

Dramatic! Great shot, Alex. I wouldn't mind seeing a boost in contrast throughout the entire scene to bring out some highlights. Still an amazing shot as is!

Registered on August 6, 2008, 194 Posts, 1315 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on January 23, 2011 at 10:08 PM

Really unique take on these rocks. It's a powerful shot!

Chris

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

Comment posted by Edward Nunez on January 23, 2011 at 10:28 PM

Interesting patterns, and amazing sky to accompany them! Excellent image!

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

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on January 23, 2011 at 10:41 PM

What kind of vehicle?

Killer background BTW!

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

Comment posted by Craig Myers on January 23, 2011 at 11:02 PM

Fantastic composition, Alex. The rocks are almost like petrified clouds piling up against those sunset clouds. Beautiful!

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

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on January 23, 2011 at 11:27 PM

Love those brain rocks, and dang what a ridiculous sunset. I love all the layers to the clouds.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on January 24, 2011 at 4:32 AM

Gorgeous!

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

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on January 24, 2011 at 10:08 AM

Real nice! That's my kinda sky. Personal preference would be a touch more contrast in the foreground, mainly the lowest rocks. Oh and looks like a sensor spot mid right in sky.

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Barry Ashenhurst on January 25, 2011 at 1:20 AM

Really interesting shot, Alex, and I like the mood. But I'm wondering what it would be like with more FG contrast, to help separate the foreground from the background. It looks a little flat, to my eye anyway.

Registered on August 4, 2009, 253 Posts, 455 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on January 25, 2011 at 12:17 PM

Stunning sky Alex. I think a touch more contrast in the foreground rocks would be my preference but not really a nit.

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