Fleeting spring

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 12, 2012133 views12 comments

Friday Doug K informed me of some clouds over by the three sisters formation which I have often photographed. I decided to meet up with him and shoot the formation and wildflowers and hope for a dramatic sunset. Nothing really materialized in terms of super dramatic light, but it was still a beautiful evening to be out and the light wasn't really disappointing either. While Doug was shooting his scene (Which I can't wait to see) I focused my attention opposite of the rock formation. I found this small grouping of barrel cacti with some pink flower buds beside them. I looked out in the distance and saw the saguaros rising into the cloudy blue sky and the cliffs beginning to light up. I shot some single frames, but the tops of the saguaros were getting cut off, so I decided to take a few horizontal frames and create a vertical pano. I really liked the variety of colors in the scene and I think it emphasizes spring fairly well. Comments and critiques appreciated.

Canon 7d
Canon 17-40mm @17mm
f/18
ISO 100
1/10 sec
Tripod

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on March 12, 2012 at 8:17 PM

That's a nice comp Peter. I like the way the mountains in the distance are lit up a little. There is a lot of depth in this shot with the flowers and barrel cacti leading off to the saguaros and then to the mountains. It is funny that we don't really have to search for clouds back here in Indiana because they are always around, but when I was out there in January, seeing a cloudy day was really an anomaly.

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on March 12, 2012 at 9:13 PM

I have enjoyed your images of the desert. I like the depth of the image and the sky adds a lot.

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on March 12, 2012 at 9:36 PM

Thanks Walt and Richard, I appreciate it.

Walt, clouds have been very sparse this year down in the desert.

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

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on March 12, 2012 at 9:55 PM

I like the scene. The Sonoran desert and its flora are really beautiful given what these plants are able to endure. Critique: non-sky looks a bit dark and I wish there were a bit more of the red-flowered plant in the foreground.

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

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on March 12, 2012 at 10:03 PM

Hi Peter,

I like the scene - the flowers were a very nice find. It looks like such a pleasant evening. Nice comp and tones. The tops of the saguaros look a little dark - maybe a little selective dodging would help - minor nit. Great meeting you this weekend. Looking forward to shooting with you.

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on March 12, 2012 at 10:18 PM

Thanks Tony, the desert truly is incredible and its transformations from season to season are a sight to behold. I can see how the vegetation/mountains are a bit dark, that was somewhat intentional as to have a nice contrast between the multiple colors. I will try to brighten it up a tad. As for the flowers at the bottom, I did take another frame where more of the plant was visible, but that left an empty space in the lower left that I didn't like. Maybe I'll try to get back out there again and work on a similar version with the "storm" that is suppose to roll in.

Thank you Michael. When I was doing the pano, I had to change the exposure once the sky wasn't in the frame, that could be why the tops of the cacti look darker, that can be fixed however. Again it was nice meeting you and I as well am looking forward to shooting together sometime.

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on March 12, 2012 at 10:22 PM

Here is a quick repost to brighten things up a bit

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

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on March 12, 2012 at 10:57 PM

Peter, it was nice shooting with you and thanks for coming out. I like the brighter repost better. By looking at the saguaros, maybe give the image a few degrees CW rotation.

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on March 12, 2012 at 11:27 PM

Thanks Doug. I just noticed the tilted saguaro's, I will have to get that fixed. Hope you plan another event in the near future and hope more will be able to attend. It was a nice little gathering.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on March 13, 2012 at 11:58 AM

I like what you did in the repost, but I'm with Tony on wanting more of the red blossoms and a little more room around the cactus. Still, a fine image.