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WC 484 - Monument Rocks

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted May 22, 2011102 views7 comments

A Kansas icon, which was named as one of Kansas' "8 Natural Wonders". This was taken under a nearly full moon, as a hint of pre dawn light brought color to the clouds.

I posted the original version back in July, right after I took the photo. I wasn't totally satisfied with the resulting image, so I worked on it off and on since then, finally coming up with this version. To me, it feels more true to the scene and more natural looking. The original version can be seen at http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=150820&CGISESSID=d57b9794a3c2d46d224f6bf9a6740ab8&u=3902 . I am curious which version you prefer. Thank you.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on May 23, 2011 at 7:31 AM

Interesting local icon subject. I like both versions for different reasons. I can see this version being more accurate to the conditions, but this version also looks more like a blended multiple exposure due to the difference between the brightness of and detail in the rocks and darkness in the sky, IMO.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by RL Potts on May 24, 2011 at 1:38 AM

This is a neat shot. I prefer this version. The other seems too bright. The formations seem to lean toward the center, as if a wide angle lens was used. I think the rocks would look a bit better straightened.

Registered on November 24, 2003, 188 Posts, 985 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on May 24, 2011 at 12:39 PM

Scott, I agree that this looks like a blended image, though it is just one exposure. During processing, I darkened the rocks a fair amount, because against the dark sky, they looked really bright.

Robert, I ran this version through ACR and used its lens correction feature to correct the distortion. I am posting the new version. It makes some difference, but not a lot.

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Grant Collier on May 25, 2011 at 5:06 AM

Very nice shot! I might like it with a little more contrast and maybe a bit more on the lens correction (though the leaning doesn't bother me much).

Registered on July 29, 2005, 73 Posts, 430 Comments

Comment posted by Luis Argerich on May 25, 2011 at 10:02 PM

Hi Rob,
Very nice image, great use of available light, both the rocks and the sky are very interesting. I just love it!

Registered on December 22, 2009, 91 Posts, 1349 Comments

Comment posted by Varina Patel on May 30, 2011 at 1:14 PM

I think the reworked version is very nice. The image is nice and subtle, and that glow in the sky is really beautiful. Nicely done, Rob!

Registered on August 22, 2008, 45 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on June 1, 2011 at 11:12 PM

redid lens correction to fix leaning rocks

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments