Keyhole REPOST

I definitely think its worth saving! I like the composition and the faint light beam. I think if you worked it a bit it could really pop! I would try to clone out those small hot spots, accentuate the light beam, and up the saturation a bit. Maybe a slight bump in contrast too. Play around! Don't give up on this! Lets see a repost after you work it a little.

I love how real this looks, Jason! I've seen so many (and produced myself) brilliantly colorful sandstone images. The muted tones in this are a wonderful change. I like the composition quite a bit as well, and the hazy light. I would probably take a small crop off the bottom to remove that light edge in the lower left corner.

On the fence, really? I know sometimes it's hard to critique your own work, getting caught up in little things, etc., but this is a fine shot IMO. Processing looks quite good too, though I'd be curious about a bit more contrast and saturation.

Looks pretty darn good to me. I like the restraint in processing. My only nit is the small blown highlites. I wouldn't disagree with a small boost in color/contrast either, but not necessary, imo.

Chris

I like the composition, and the processing looks great to me. This looks so clean and "real". Beautiful work.

Wonderfull ligths and wonderfull composition

I think it's really refreshing to see a slot canyon image which doesn't have highly saturated colours. The composition works really well and the subtle and realistic colours have a quiet beauty of their own. I like this one a lot!

I love the light in this one. I've seen so many slot canyon photos, it's hard to look at them objectively, but this one is different in a good way.

- Dan.

Jason - I really like the shot, composition and especially the lighting in the upper section. The bright highlight midway up on the right is the only detractor for me - a bit overexposed. Possibly could have been eliminated with a small change in camera position, but that may have ruined the beautiful upper part. Not quite sure how to fix this, unless maybe you have a darker exposure somewhere to merge with this portion.

Jason, I like your composition. Very srong image. As everyone has said keep working on it. It is worth saving. Nice work!

Jason,

Like others have commented, I don't think I would be on the fence with this one. I think it's a great capture from the slots. The composition is excellent with very nice lines and flow; a very pleasing and almost calming perspective.

Processing wise I think you did very well to contain the range here. I think this is a perfect image to take Tony's techniques even further. With your permission can I post a revision? I could just picture this as an image Tony would use to demonstrate one of his techniques.

I think it's a wonderful image and certainly worth keeping and working on more.

Lon

The composition works very well for me. I also like the colors and lighting.
I would suggest that you darken the bright white color mid right. Never-
theless, well done, Jason.

Thanks everyone for your compliments, I appreciate all the votes of confidence. I will certainly press on towards improving this.

It's kind of funny, the natural colors and toned-down saturation have much more to do with failing to post the correct version than any intent on my part ! Though perhaps in light of the feedback, I should consider revisiting that. This post better reflects what I was originally trying to depict.

Lon, not only do I give my permission, I would be honored if you would do as you propose. I eagerly look forward to seeing your take.

Thanks again folks, sincerely.

Jason,

Actually your repost looks much better, so I'm not sure my rework is any better or not, especially just working from a small jpg. The color/sat and contrast is much better with your repost, but it's also a slightly different crop? Is this just a different crop, or a different exposure all together?

Anyway, if you're on Tony's distribution you should have received notice about his new tutorial and actions. He calls it the "Triple Play." I used this new technique and actions on your image. It's a bit difficult to compare with the web version and not having a PS file to compare side by side or turning off and on, but one thing I think that will show here is the increased detail in both the highlights and shadow areas. Don't confuse it with sharpness (remember I'm re-saving and re-compressing and re-sharpening a jpg.) Just compare the med shadow area on the right and the highlights up top and I think there's a bit of a difference. All I did was use his new actions. Well, I guess I better post this and see how it looks....

edit: Ok, posted now and I can see a difference. Ignore the oversharpening and the saturation is a bit different, but that's variable anyway between togs. The highlights up top have been toned down AND it appears to have more detail or definition. Especially in the orange face up top just left of center.

Drop me a note if you have any questions. I see you don't have your email link available. Hope this helps.

Lon

Both you guys did a very nice and natural processing job.

That's tremendous Lon, thank you for the tips. I'm going back to work it over some more, using your take as a basis. Thanks again, for all your feedback and help!

I can't believe your asking if it's worth keeping Jason, it's a terrific shot. The comp works for me, sharpness and detail are great and the light coming through the top is spot on.

Gary.

Very eye-catching thumb (for me) and and excellent follow-through on the larger version of the image. Repost is even better and is quite similar to Lon's. I think I know where this is, but I've never seen light here this good.

Beautiful! I love the curves and colours of the repost. The comp is fine to me, the lines seem to lead me around the whole frame.

simply amazing light, especially on the light on the rock of the right edge. Very nice work.