I've spent most of my adult life working at clinic's on the western side of the Navajo Reservation in northern Arizona. I've always enjoyed the area and after nearly 29 years am still finding new things.
This particular place is a bit distant from where I live, and even though I first photographed here several years ago, it's only recently that I've figured out how to work the images. I've found that it's a place that actually Photoshops better than it photographs. There are subtle colors here, but it's the heavy-handed Photoshopping that helps bring them out (+80 Vibrance in the RAW converter to start).
At least I think it seems to help. The colors do exist, though they don't look like this. I've gone here with friends who were more impressed with the small plants growing in the cracks than with the coloration in the formations. So it's necessary to push, I think, to get people's attention. Not sure if that's a good rationale or not (probably not), but I like going in this direction anyway, so it doesn't bother me if it departs from what is true.
Would be interested in your thoughts on this image. If it bothers you, please feel free to say so. I like the different opinions here.
5D2, 28-300 @ 109mm, f/16, 1/2 sec. A bit of the Photoshopping is
here.
Appreciate hearing below that the image looks a little dark. This always seems to happen to images that I prep for posting here, and I usually pull back my normal post-sharpening adjustment layer, which darkens the image slightly, to 50% opacity. However, I purposely left it at 100% opacity here as I liked the richer colors. Good to know, however, that the 50% mark is probably a better bet. Thanks.
Comments
35 commentsGreat to see a post from you. Your ears must have been burning as I just was writing about your masks and actions in Morris' post. ;-)
I can't say I've ever heard something expressed like this when it comes to photography and processing. Speaks volumes to the creative side of our craft and art. And I have to say that what I've learned from you, your tutorials, and sharing your processing and knowledge that I have moved further beyond just a point-n-shoot documentary photographer. I've learned how to make the very best of out every image I work on.
But to your image. I find this one much closer to reality than any of your previous sandstone entries from a couple months ago. This one is masterful because it's not so clear to me that you "Photoshopped" this. Where as previously, through artistic license of course, you took these to a level where it was very clear what you were expressing.
Here, at least to me, the colors aren't bold or brash, but are more believable and not overdone. Oh, and aside from color, the forms, lines, texture and details here are just fantastic.
I'm thoroughly enjoying this image. thanks for posting!
Lon
I like this image--has great subtle hues and textures--nicely balanced and natural looking.
Gary.
In this case, contrary to what others typically say, I'd rather not have known the details of the processing.. since it focuses my attention on that. It's art for arts sake, and for that reason, the details of processing are unnecessary, and IMO actually detract from my appreciation for it. There are very few types of photographs that I would say that for, but this is one of them. Of course, there's plenty of people that will want to know, but I think for an image like this it might actually be best not to share those details until asked, and at that point be completely forthcoming with the processing details.
Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
I will just second what Lon wrote about your work enabling me to get the best out of every image I work on, and I'm just getting started on that journey. So, I look forward to where it might take me in the future. Thanks again.
I really like the image.
But it seems to me what really matters is:
Do YOU like it.
or Does your client like it.
Me, I love the color bal.
saturation, texture and vibrance
I think this will be a killer large print.
I'll be honest and say that I'm so far beyond "like" in every picture I post here that my objectivity is seriously compromised. I invite criticism to pull me back to reality. There are things I just can't see without the help of others.
Seriously, I hear what Floris is saying, But im not sure i agree with his conclusion. Maybe Joe Public wouldn't see what you saw--but i'd like to think i would (even if it took me a few shots of tequila beforehand...)
Peter
I like the image and composition. I do agree that it feels a little dark, especially the tonality throughout the image. The magenta tones especially noticeable. I could see increasing the luminance if possible in that area. Overall, I do it like very much. No issues at all with the colors. Good to see you posting.
PS - I don't think I have mentioned this to you, but I have been more impressed with the print quality of your published images in the books that I have seen - than pretty much anyone else on this site.
Like the colours and lines in this Image .... very well done ...
Helmut
I love your vision, Tony, and this photograph does is justice.