Crown Royal

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 13, 2012425 views17 comments

Catchy title eh?

It has been very slow for me photographically for the last few weeks. Working on planning a few excursions over the winter. In the meantime, here is a grand canyon image, because there aren't enough images from this place on here :)

I played with the processing a bit with this one pulling a lot of colors out and boosting the contrast and adjusting curves with multiple layer masks. This was that same morning and day as the rainbow image, and that ridiculous sunset at point sublime. Perhaps a filler for a book or magazine article? Either way, I was primarily attracted to the formation standing out against the rain. Cropped the left side off to center the throne and have it "sweep" around the frame. As always, comments and critiques appreciated.

Canon 7d
Canon 17-40mm @ 17mm
f11
1/10 sec
ISO 100
CPL
Tripod

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on November 13, 2012 at 9:29 PM

That is some really nice light, Peter, and the comp works quite well. I wish there was a bit more separation between the "thrown" and the mountains beyond, but not sure if that was possible or not.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on November 13, 2012 at 9:54 PM

Thanks Zack. The way the landscape is, the top of the throne will always be too close to the distant canyon walls in images, at least from what I have seen.

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on November 13, 2012 at 10:02 PM

Very striking image, Peter. The colors jump off the screen. The main formation stands out beautifully. Personally, I would tone down the bright gold color in the formation at the bottom, but it may be due to my contrasty imac monitor.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on November 13, 2012 at 10:50 PM

The rocks seem to have their own luminance, especially those in the foreground. Really amazing. Love how the distant stormy skies contrast with the bold colors of this formation.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on November 13, 2012 at 10:59 PM

You really got the colors popping. Great light, too. this one is a real eye-catcher.

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

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on November 13, 2012 at 11:17 PM

That's a great title and it matches the quality of the image quite well. Nice golden glow, and the one in the image ain't too shabby either. The atmospheric perspective and effect works real well. Nicely done.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 13, 2012 at 11:17 PM

Real nice, peter--the rain adds a lot here. Very grandiose. I agree with Scott, the yellow is a bit strong. Otherwise looks great.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on November 13, 2012 at 11:19 PM

The light is what makes this image. The colors really pop and they do stand out nicely from the hazy background. Very nice composition.

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on November 13, 2012 at 11:22 PM

Thanks guys, I don't know why I didn't catch that strong glow in the foreground, it was right there. Here is a repost with that foreground ridge toned down.

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on November 13, 2012 at 11:29 PM

I think this is awesome! I really like the bold processing here.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 14, 2012 at 3:43 AM

Peter,

I guess I'll be the detractor on this one. while I love the comp and the dramatic atmosphere, this just looks a little too cooked to me. The yellow at the bottom already noted, and I still think too much in the repost. You of course have artistic license to process this to your vision; But for me anyway it's a little beyond what I would expect or even imagine I would see if I were there.

Just my thoughts - I would love to have this one and think it's certainly worthy of making it the best it can be.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 14, 2012 at 8:51 AM

A beautiful scene Peter. The rain really added a nice touch to this. I like the repost much better...

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on November 14, 2012 at 6:24 PM

Peter, for me it's all about the composition here. This is a bit unique from anything I've seen from this location over the years. For that reason I really like it.
I do like the "sweep" as you've mentioned about the composition and that was what I first noticed outside the bolder processing. I'm sure you'll work things through with your own likes and dislikes in the end with the processing, but you've already got the composition worked out.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on November 14, 2012 at 7:02 PM

This is a really nice scene and I like the comp a lot. Overall, I'm with Lon on this, as it appears a little odd to me. Looks like it needs more black in the shadows, but that's just me. Still an impressive image.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Miller on November 14, 2012 at 8:38 PM

The lighter sky in the middle feels a bit odd. Was this in the orig or did you lighten the center accent the throne? Almost looks as if a lighten center filter was used. Sat is a tad strong but acceptable. Front gold ridge is much better in re-post.

Registered on January 24, 2005, 152 Posts, 405 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on November 15, 2012 at 12:50 AM

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Lon, I get what your saying here. My intentions with this were to go a bit overboard. I wouldn't print this version anyways. Realistically, I could desaturate this one quite a bit and still be happy with it as long as it still holds that contrast. This isn't everyones taste, but it's all about what we as artists like right? Or what the general public likes lol.

Bob, the lightness behind the throne was all there. That is that rain that came over us the second time while at this point. The way it accentuated the throne really attracted me to this scene, and it called for a lot of contrast. I did add a vignette to the edges to give it more pop.

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on November 16, 2012 at 10:37 PM

Peter: Just got back form my first trip to the north rim and this was one of my goals but alas there was never any good light on the throne and then my primary camera broke

. I like all the color you have here and the conditions. Just makes me want to get back there again. Top notch shot. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments