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Pikes Pink
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Pikes Pink

by Joshua Hardin

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 7, 2011401 views10 comments
The image above of a vivid sunrise at Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods (as seen from the Mesa Overlook in Colorado Springs) was shot on a Velvia slide that I only recently rescanned. I had gone to the Garden to photograph a possible view of a full moon setting behind Pikes Peak at about the same time as the sunrise. The cloud cover prevented a good view of the moon but the sky was unique in its own way. I had to correct a strong orange color balance that was coming from a cloud directly above glowing with the day's first light, but I think I've got it close to what I want. Comments and critiques always appreciated.

Comments

10 comments
Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on February 7, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Hey Joshoua,
I love the layering of the comp and the sky looks great on this end.. I am debating lightening the FG up to the mountain clouds a bit......but I am in a bright room no so lets see what others chime in on that. Spectacular sunrises and you captured it very well!!! :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments
Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on February 7, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Incredible conditions Joshua. I don't see too much orange in the scene, but the colors feel a little off to me. I am not sure what is - possibly too much magenta. Personally, I prefer sacrificing a bit of the detail in the sky to clean up some of the noise. I like the layers here a lot too. I am thinking this could use slightly more work to really make it sing....It'll be intersting to read what others think...
Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments
Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on February 7, 2011 at 12:47 PM
A very interesting and unique composition! I really like the layering of shapes here. The rock, the mountain range with its cloud hat and the big cloud in the sky. The color is "thick", but at sunrise such things can happen!
Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments
Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on February 7, 2011 at 1:24 PM
Whoa! This kicks some butt. The colors are a-freakin-mazin. :toast:
Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments
Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on February 7, 2011 at 1:50 PM
I love all the different layers here. The glowing red rock looks great. I would clean up the noise in the sky. A very spectacular scene
Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments
Comment posted by Raymond D Smith on February 7, 2011 at 7:21 PM
Gotta love Velvia, the pic looks good,. The layers and the stacking of the elements are phenomenal Joshua. I think Micheal is right about addressing the noise in the sky, you could always try to scan twice once to get the sky just right and another for the land details and combine them in photoshop. Cheers
Registered on January 22, 2009, 12 Posts, 479 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on February 7, 2011 at 11:12 PM
An amazing sight! Never really seen a comp like this with such great sky and color. I might like to see it selectively brightened up a bit, and a hair crisper, but not really necessary with such a spectacular scene.

Chris
Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 7, 2011 at 11:26 PM
This beats the moon any day. The light gods were definitely smiling on you for this one.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 8, 2011 at 8:01 AM
Not a unique comp, obviously, but the sky is terrific and i like the nice glow on the rocks. The sky is very noisy though, esp in the big version. --Oh almost forgot, i sent you an email on your book!
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Tyson Fisher on February 8, 2011 at 1:56 PM
Phenomenal light and color!!
Registered on September 17, 2008, 44 Posts, 623 Comments