Path

Wow.

Fantastic image Vlad. I love the colors in this one. Your comp and processing is spot on.

Love the light and the meandering river!

Very nice Vlad... although maybe the dodging and burning on the salt is a little strong (unless it was really lit like that). Really cool shot!

Love the snake like qualities of the stream Vlad but what really attracts my attention are the highlights on the edge of that steam in the mid ground. The lead in works very well and the side line light on the salt flats is complimentary. The sky also has some stunning features and light. Film or digital?

You've done a great job finding a strong composition at this location. I really like the way the salt stream flows away from the camera, and toward the sunset in the distance. Your foreground exposure and sky exposure are spot on, and this is a very difficult scene to expose for. I do wish the reflection of the sky wasn't so bright though. Since you were able to hold back the sky at the top of the exposure, I would hope to hold back the reflection as well. It's a very difficult thing to do given how dark the foreground is, and how bright the sky is, but I wonder if it would be possible? The other solution would be to convert to B&W. The bright reflection would be less noticeable that way. Then again, this is stuff that we as photographers notice, and the general public wouldn't think twice about. Great shot!

Thanks , quite useful suggestions. Incidentally, this particular stream ran right toward the setting sun, which created both stronger reflection on the salt and bright path along the middle of the scene. I wish i planned it this way , but in reality i just found the right stream.

David: i think you are right, I may have overdone dodging on the salt. In the scene I did see noticeable contrast as salt crystals reflected very low sun better than the darger soil , but i may have overemphasized it.

Eva: thanks. This is digital (5D M2) and one of only two shots where i managed to hold both highlights and shadows in the single frame, while sun rays were still visible. I did use 2 stop soft grad.

Ben: thanks , you are very right. I concentrated on getting the sky right in Photoshop and didn't pay enough attention to the overbright reflection.

I am attaching another version (smaller only) with water reflection matching the brightness of the sky. I also toned down a bit dodging on the salt in the foreground, but don't want to decrease contrast too much - what attracted me to the scene was this whole bright path toward the sun rays with curvature of the salt spots following the water.

Beautfiul image. I echoe what Ben said regarding the reflection, but this is super minor.

I think the repost is better. The original is hard to improve upon! Really love those sun rays at the top of frame.

Great little scene. I love the warm and cool tone combo and of course, the stream leading out to the colorful sky.

Very nice job finding this composition. I really like the little rays of light emanating from the setting sun and the way you've brought out the highlights in the foreground.

I love the colours and the comp... the repost is even better... killer shot

good control of the light, great leading line too

Hamed

A beautiful shot with wonderful colors and light. I like your comp very much with it leading the eye so nicely towards the sunset. Your repost looks even better to me. Nice work Vlad!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Nice light and comp. I find myself drawn to the dark water with the glowing edges.

Re-work is perfect. Love the meandering water, light, and overall effect.
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Such a well captured and processed image, Vlad! Good evidence of your artistic vision, here, and an inspiring photo to view. Congrats on the Pick.

Nice work. Great composition.