Tufa Towers+Repost

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 6, 2012301 views12 comments

Going through some more old images I shot earlier this year. This is from that incredible sunset over mono lake. After a ten hour drive, I checked into my hotel room and debated whether to take it slow or get out and explore. I noticed the clouds as I drove into town and knew there was no chance to rest. I headed out to the lake a few hours before sunset to scout for comps, and right on time, one of the most dramatic sunsets I've seen takes place. It's always good to follow your instincts! Comments and critiques appreciated.

Canon 7d
Canon 17-40mm @17mm
1 sec
f22
ISO 100
2 stop & 3 stop GND filters
Tripod

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on December 6, 2012 at 8:52 PM

I like the layering of the elments here, Peter. Only thought might be to burn down the brightest sky to put more emphasis on the mid-ground tufa.

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

Comment posted by John Mumaw on December 6, 2012 at 9:04 PM

I like the composition and subject matter, but find it to be a bit too bright (esp. the tufa) for the time of early evening that this was taken. The light on the left horizon appears to be overexposed, too. I would start from scratch if this were mine. It has a lot of potential.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on December 6, 2012 at 9:15 PM

Very sweet light. Great composition also.I was there last fall but no light this beautiful. Really nice image.

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on December 6, 2012 at 9:24 PM

Thank you Tony, John, and Richard.

John, I reprocessed this a few times before becoming satisfied with this version. The original image was slightly overexposed, but I was able to fix that in the RAW file. I used multiple layer adjustments to blend together. I wanted to bring out the details of the tufa formations, which even with the slightly overexposed, were still too dark for my likings. The left side may be the only area I could improve, but on my monitor it does not look overexposed (just calibrated as well).

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

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on December 6, 2012 at 9:34 PM

This is beautiful, Peter. I like the perspective of the composition. Beautiful light and color as well - what sets this apart from other Mono Lake images that I have seen is the warmer color palette. This feels like it was captured in the SW.

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

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on December 6, 2012 at 10:02 PM

You have some nice light here and the tufas look great against that sky. Maybe a little bright, but very nice.

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

Comment posted by Todd Liotine on December 6, 2012 at 11:22 PM

I agree with the the brightness comments, really like the tonal colors of this and the layers of texture/color

Registered on July 1, 2008, 131 Posts, 671 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on December 7, 2012 at 11:12 AM

Beautiful light.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on December 7, 2012 at 11:29 AM

The light is the star of the show here. It bathes the subjects in color. Good comp as well. Ditto Tony on the brightest areas.

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on December 7, 2012 at 6:13 PM

Here is a repost toning down those bright areas just a tad.

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

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on December 7, 2012 at 6:24 PM

That's some great light, and I like the comp you chose here.

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 8, 2012 at 1:04 PM

Peter,

When I first viewed this I was a little unsure about it, mostly the composition. But it's grown on me and I do like the improvement in the repost. I think you did well to capture and fill the frame with this delicate and fascinating formations. The dynamic sky and color just makes this all the much better. Great takeaway from Mono Lake.

Lon

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