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WC484 - Granite Dells

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted May 24, 201161 views7 comments

The granite dells are an icon for Prescott, AZ. We are about 120mi NW of Phoenix, and at an elevation of nearly 5000ft. Although the dells look like big piles of rock, they were actually formed by erosion. The granite dells surround two areas, with 2 lakes, and are part of the Prescott parks system. After a rare snow, the setting sun really made the granite glow.
Nikon D300; Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VRII; 130mm, f8@1/125; ISO500; standard adjustments in Lightroom ACR.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Craig Myers on May 25, 2011 at 3:49 AM

This is a striking scene. I'd say, based on the background sky and the dots of snow, that there is still a bit of red-orange color cast, though.

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

Comment posted by Margaret Summers on May 25, 2011 at 11:23 AM

Hi Craig. I think I had noticed a little too much orange in particular. Might it be caused by my warming polarizer? Thanks.

Registered on May 24, 2011, 54 Posts, 99 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on May 26, 2011 at 10:41 AM

Margaret, nice light upon the boulders making nice reflections. This image reminds me to visit Granite Lake this monsoon season.

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by Varina Patel on May 30, 2011 at 12:49 PM

Wow! That's some glow! This is an incredible location. I love the interesting detail in these rocks. Well captured!

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

Comment posted by Margaret Summers on May 31, 2011 at 11:25 AM

Thank you Varina. This was taken just before sunset, thus the glow. The sandstone and rocks in Arizona and Utah are of such unusual colors that it's hard for anyone who hasn't seen it to believe. It's like the reds of the Grand Canyon - they're real!

Registered on May 24, 2011, 54 Posts, 99 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on June 29, 2011 at 12:47 PM

Striking but maybe a bit oversaturated? Nice rocks.

lucy

Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments

Comment posted by Margaret Summers on June 29, 2011 at 1:06 PM

Hi, Lucy. Thanks for taking time to comment on my photo. This photo actually has no saturation applied; all adjustments were minimal in ACR, with .78 Exposure adjustment, blacks +15, brightness/contrast 0, clarity +31, vibrance +15, saturation 0. A medium contrast tone curve was used. These rocks seem unrealistic when the sun is very low on them. They were also wet from an overnight snow, which adds to their saturated look. Arizona and Utah are known for their amazingly colorful rocks; If you've never seen them, hopefully you'll have a chance to one day. They are great to photograph.
Margaret

Registered on May 24, 2011, 54 Posts, 99 Comments