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Stalking Dragons
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Stalking Dragons

by Anthony Vincent

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 11, 2011425 views27 comments
"It passed the lonely Mountain bare
and swept above the dragon's lair:
there black and dark lay boulders stark
and flying smoke was in the air."

It was my first impression of this incredible landscape. We pulled off the road and began to climb the compacted earth in mid morning light. Clouds and deep blue skies cried out for bw shots. My mind instantly swept away to a fantasy realm where dragons lived. Spires of dry earth reach towards the sky, shadows creep over the cliffs, and jagged forms reach beyond our sight. I can picture a land where dragons roam. Flying, gathering and ferociously defending their lands.

I know, I have a weird imagination. It helps me bridge the gap between reality and my own spontaneous creativity when shooting. I hope this isn't just a photo but an invitation to explore our imaginations and adventures.

I worked this image in color fully using Tony K's masks and tricks.
Then converted to bw

Thanks again for your time and comments as always.

Canon 5D2
17-40 @ 17mm
1/13 sec. @ f 16
iso 100
polarizer

Comments

27 comments
Comment posted by Marc Adamus on June 11, 2011 at 9:34 PM
The clouds are the perfect touch in this deep and fascinating study of textures on the hills. Wonderful!
Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 11, 2011 at 9:50 PM
Wow Anthony such wonderful engaging light and textures! This scene is perfect for B&W. Beautiful capture but I also like your poetry.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Koveh Tavakkol on June 11, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Excellent work throughout!
Registered on September 1, 2009, 41 Posts, 608 Comments
Comment posted by Phillip Noll on June 11, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Beautiful shot with rich, interesting textures. The soft clouds make for a nice contrast. Love the monotone and the processing but I'm not sold on the blue tint. I think I would prefer a more neutral, traditional black and white. Great shot!
Registered on November 17, 2003, 207 Posts, 1083 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on June 11, 2011 at 11:21 PM
Very dramatic feel to this image.
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on June 11, 2011 at 11:26 PM
Awesome texture and light. Just awesome. Would be curious to see the fg closer to the lens but that's just a variation, this works super well!

aF
Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on June 12, 2011 at 12:42 AM
Interesting landscape! Could use a dragon tho :wink:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Scott Miller on June 12, 2011 at 1:33 AM
The texture of the land is just great here, and the clouds just top it all off. Love it.
Registered on May 9, 2011, 23 Posts, 322 Comments
Comment posted by Stuart Williams on June 12, 2011 at 6:56 AM
great details and textures topped with some very nice clouds. the only thing that bothers me slightly is the darkness at the bottom - could be brought up just a touch. nice work though.
Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 12, 2011 at 8:34 AM
Anthony, This is really nice. The texture in this looks fantastic. I especially like the clouds setting this off along with an excellent comp.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on June 12, 2011 at 8:58 AM
@ Phillip- I like a touch of blue but I toned this down a hair. Its a fine balance I suppose

@Aaron- Thanks, I did get some other shots with the 14mm and hopefully share soon.

@Stuart- Goody eye. The vign. was a little heavy and dodge just he fingers which I think starts the viewer into the scene.
Much thanks.

@ Stan- I did come away with one shot of a dragon, but its blurry and hard to make out. Sort of a bigfoot type scenario :wink:

Thanks everyone appreciate your feedback
Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments
Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on June 12, 2011 at 8:59 AM
sorry forgot to add update
Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments
Comment posted by John Williams on June 12, 2011 at 10:16 AM
This is amazing good! :toast:
Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Clothier on June 12, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Great shot Anthony, excellent leading lines and the clouds cmopliment the scene very well. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on June 12, 2011 at 2:55 PM
Very strong image, Anthony. It has a Marc Adamus quality to it with very strong elements enhanced by the processing.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Phillip Noll on June 12, 2011 at 4:35 PM
The repost is just awesome! :toast:
Registered on November 17, 2003, 207 Posts, 1083 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on June 12, 2011 at 7:20 PM
Wow! You really captured a mood here. I love this (and your intro). I can see it being even stronger, with a little more emphasis on those incredible clouds by maybe cropping a bit off the bottom,
Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments
Comment posted by Kyle McDougall on June 12, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Great processing in this image! The clouds have such a unique texture, almost "fire" like. This looks like such an interesting area.
Registered on June 10, 2011, 9 Posts, 52 Comments
Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 12, 2011 at 11:51 PM
Incredible, Anthony. The tones are superb. Do prefer your second post with less of a vignette on the bottom. Superb work. Your compositions are phenomenal.
Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments
Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on June 13, 2011 at 5:55 AM
I prefer the first post which gives the impression of bands in the lower rock. Love the moody gothic appeal of this shot.
Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments
Comment posted by Matt Anderson on June 13, 2011 at 8:43 AM
I prefer the first one.
Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on June 13, 2011 at 10:10 AM
Those clouds really do set it off. Nice work Anthony!
Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 13, 2011 at 3:16 PM
This is really nice Anthony. Excellent composition and processing. A pleasure to view.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 13, 2011 at 5:10 PM
Love the poem. The image is highly evocative and dramatic. Superb stuff, Antony! :toast:
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Tad Bowman on June 13, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Amazing textures in this image. Nicely done.
Registered on August 15, 2006, 25 Posts, 79 Comments
Comment posted by Shaun Mazurek on June 14, 2011 at 6:35 PM
This is really nice. The graphic quality is outstanding. The composition is very strong!
Registered on June 12, 2010, 21 Posts, 162 Comments
Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on June 14, 2011 at 11:08 PM
I was sure I made a comment here, sorry. I'll tell you what, this is awesome! Amazing detail and texture. The tones are wonderful as well. Real nice processing!

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