Desert light

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 19, 2011232 views10 comments

Ok, I lied. That last cholla shot really wasn't my last. Going through that folder I found this scene, that for some reason I just skipped right over. There is very minimal processing here. RAW adjustments and a curves layer mask to help bring out the cholla's and keep the nice contrast. The light was there and I liked how the twin peaks in the left were dark and the peak on the right was nice and bright. The composition probably isn't the best, mainly because of that tree in the middle (at least in my opinion). This was actually one of the first shots from this series. All the other ones were taken after this. I feel like I can do something dramatic with this image regarding processing, I just don't know what. I liked the natural feel to this, but please chime in if you have suggestions. I'm always looking for new processing tips and ways to get the most impact out of my photos.

I promise the next shot will not include a cactus!

Canon 7d
Canon 17-40mm @17mm
f/16
ISO 100
1/8 sec
3 stop grad ND filter
Tripod

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Tonia Graves on November 19, 2011 at 11:46 PM

This is Sweet! Love the change in the light over the mountains. The foreground prickly pears are captured beautifully as well!

Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on November 20, 2011 at 10:09 AM

Great prespective and lighting. Very nice

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on November 20, 2011 at 11:21 AM

This is great. Love the light and perspective. This really needs to be viewed large.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on November 20, 2011 at 12:39 PM

An amazing image fior me, Peter. Your emphasis on the foreground works extremely well to me. The larger version shows stunning details. Great work in my opinion.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on November 20, 2011 at 12:43 PM

This is fantastic. Great light and comp.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on November 20, 2011 at 2:37 PM

Thank you. The large version is definitely a must see for this shot.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 20, 2011 at 7:50 PM

Looks fine, Peter. I like the comp and the way it sandwiches the glow between the cacti and clouds elements. Seems you could still crop a bit off the bottom to emphasize the warm light more.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on November 20, 2011 at 9:05 PM

Thanks Tony. I've been considering that and playing with a pano version of this, just don't know how well it works.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on November 20, 2011 at 9:19 PM

Your series of desert photo have been exceptional. The only comment I would have on this image is that I might crop some off the bottom and give it more of a pano effect.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on November 21, 2011 at 3:29 PM

Here's a pano version cropping some of the bottom off.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments