Summer light

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 20, 2012403 views18 comments

If you see a bunch of photos from this location in the near future it's because I'm still trying to find that "shot". I went back to lost dutchman state park as clouds were forming to the east and went back to the same comp as "Superstition storm". I waited and waited for the clouds to come over the mountains and kept my eye on the skies behind me. Everything was looking good. About five minutes prior to sunset a bank of clouds had formed over the western horizon and blocked the sun from producing that extremely special light I was looking for. I was able to come away with some keepers I think. Nothing too original comp wise, but it was something to leave with. The mountains themselves lit up at the very last moment, but the skies weren't super colorful like I was hoping. The light on the mountain was perfect, but the clouds to the west shut the sky off for the most part. The shot I'm looking for will have to wait for another day... As always, comments and critiques appreciated.

Canon 7d
Canon 17-40mm @17mm
ISO 100
f/11
1/15 sec
3 stop/ 2 stop grad ND
Tripod.

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on July 20, 2012 at 10:04 PM

Well, if this isn't "that shot" I'm not sure you are going to find it. That is some dramatic light throughout the image from the foreground to the peaks and in the sky. I like the dramatic perspective and the way that the foreground chollas frame the peaks.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on July 20, 2012 at 10:08 PM

Thanks Brian, I do like the light in this, but I know that with the monsoon storms they bring EXTREMELY dramatic and colorful skies. I've seen the skies do funky things, and so far I haven't been able to get the craziest of them. Hopefully soon.

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

Comment posted by John Mumaw on July 20, 2012 at 11:10 PM

Summer light, indeed! If this isn't that 'shot', it's awfully close.
I like the gap you found in the cacti to create a nice frame for the monoliths. The most minor of nits here...I find the 'archway' on the extreme right edge formed by the cacti against the sky to be a minor distraction.
'Losing' those branches would be an asset, IMO.
I'd love to see a big print of this image. Nice work, Peter!

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on July 20, 2012 at 11:24 PM

Wow, splendid, love the light and that cloud is fantastic. This would be hard to best in my opinion

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on July 21, 2012 at 12:10 AM

This must be one of my favorite shots from you. Indeed the foreground frames the rock well and I especially like how the sky is not dark in the corners of the frame.
It looks like there may be a hot spot in the clouds but I can’t tell for sure

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on July 21, 2012 at 2:19 AM

I like the light and the framing with the cacti, and those clouds seem to have an awfully lot of color. This looks very good.

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on July 21, 2012 at 2:20 AM

Thanks everyone.

John, I noticed that small cactus arch and wasn't sure about it. I really don't want to clone it out, but I also don't want to crop it to keep the balance. I'm sure cloning is probably the best option though. The mountains and cactus are right, I just need the sky to cooperate a little better to get the shot I have been working for.

Richard, there shouldn't be any hotspots. All of the very bright spots I used the clone tool and brushed over it at a low opacity using parts of the closer clouds to keep the colors more accurate.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on July 21, 2012 at 9:36 AM

Gorgeous light and color Peter. Amazing detail.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on July 21, 2012 at 9:45 AM

If this is "not quite" , I can't wait to see The Shot. Beautiful light, wonderfully rich color, excellent composition. This is top of the line, IMO.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on July 21, 2012 at 11:02 AM

I like the way you filled the foreground with chollas, and the light on the mountains is special. And maybe the color wasn't what you wanted on the clouds, but they are a nice compliment to the scene. Very well done.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on July 21, 2012 at 1:01 PM

I salute your perseverance. Keep it up and it will happen one day.

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 21, 2012 at 4:29 PM

Peter, This is some beautiful light and a Beautiful image! Very nice!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on July 21, 2012 at 7:39 PM

Powerful image Peter!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on July 21, 2012 at 9:12 PM

Thank you guys I appreciate the comments!

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 22, 2012 at 3:26 AM

A wonderful shot of the Supersitition mts. I like the cholla in the foreground and those wonderful clouds, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on July 22, 2012 at 3:44 AM

Love the strong red glow to this one Peter. The fg catci is sweet too. Excellent harnessing of the light. Would loved to have seen a large version of this one

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on July 22, 2012 at 1:38 PM

Thanks Jim and David

David, I was going to put a large version up but was having a difficult time trying to save it at the appropriate size without sacrificing web compression and it just wasn't happening.

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

Comment posted by John Williams on July 28, 2012 at 10:07 PM

Superb Peter! No need to nit over this one, the combination of elements works so well with that sweet light. Makes me miss home!

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments