Sparkling Rubies

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 10, 2013299 views3 comments

I captured this image of sunset over the Ruby Range from a vantage point along Kebler Pass road last fall.

The clouds had been lingering over the Beckwith peaks all day and I had set up on the west side of the Kebler Pass hoping for some nice sunset light over the Beckwith peaks. Unfortunately my gamble did not pay off because as sunset approached the clouds moved away from the Beckwith peaks and over the Ruby Range.

I decided to get in my car and head east to another vantage point. It became apparent that I wasn't going to make it in time so I stopped at this location which offered a view of the Ruby range in the distance. The compositional opportunities were limited at this location as I was shooting through aspen that had dropped their leaves, but the light was amazing so I shot what I felt was the best composition I could get and this is what I came away with. Admittedly I would prefer a stronger composition, but I think the light is strong enough to carry this.

Honest comments and critiques are always welcome.

200 mm
f11 @ 1/30 sec
ISO 200

Processing includes curves adjustment layer for global contrast, and TK's focused saturation and vibrance masks.

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on February 10, 2013 at 9:34 AM

I agree that the light is nice, probably my favorite type to photograph.

Although there were clouds partially obscuring the sun, the mountain seems somehow underexposed.

I would brighten the mountain, then increase the contrast in the newly brightened areas and reduce the brightness of the hot cloud. Also I might crop from the top and left portions of the photo to emphasize what I think is the best part of the photo.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 10, 2013 at 12:40 PM

That is sweet warm light, Brian. I like Richard's suggestion of a crop off of the top even though your pp brought out all of the textures in the clouds so nicely. I really like the color in this and I think the browns and blues compliment each other very well. So it's easy to see why you were drawn to this scene. I also think you could use TK's layers to isolate the brightest highlights and tame them just a little. It's a beautiful shot, Brian.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 10, 2013 at 7:03 PM

Some very nice light indeed, Brian. The colors also have a nice feel to me and I enjoy the scene. I would have been doing just what you did...

I think Richard and Morris brought up some good points that might make this even nicer.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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