Varnished Souls

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 24, 2013496 views20 comments

Please view LARGE

I shot this on the last day of my multiday backpacking trip on the Colorado Plateau last month. This is an image I almost skipped for fear of two things. First and foremost, this location is very precarious — I was unsure if I would be able to safely reach it with a heavy pack. Secondly, I was concerned about the strenuous hike back to my car in the increasingly hot weather. I didn’t want to push my body beyond its limit, so I contemplated an early morning departure to avoid hiking during the midday heat. Such an early start would rule out this shot all together.

On the night before my departure, I decided it would be smart to skip this shot — but I had a change of heart when morning arrived. I decided to at least hike all the way to the precarious stretch of trail, and see if it was possible with my pack on. It was a bit of a scramble, but I made it without issue. After shooting this photo, I hiked back to Neon canyon where my campsite was, then packed my gear for the nearly 4 mile return hike to my car. It was a brutal hike with 90lbs of gear on my back and a 1,000 foot elevation gain. I’m glad I decided to visit the location that morning, otherwise this would have been only a memory.

If you would like to view my video journal for the day, here is a link: http://youtu.be/nyrx489YuKo

As always, critique and feedback are appreciated.

Ebony RW810 | Nikkor 300mm | Fuji Velvia 50 (8x10) | ~12sec @ f/64 | Lee wide angle lens hood

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on June 24, 2013 at 7:18 PM

Beautiful and subtle composition and light, Ben. The large rocks fit so nicely between the patch of greens and the canyon wall.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Jeffrey Sipress on June 24, 2013 at 7:35 PM

Ben, this fabulous image has large format written all over it. It's realistic presence and dynamic range is why we do it. And of course your skills and creativity are showing well here.

I've done the hike to back from Neon before in one day with the EOS-1Ds and it was a sludge back up. I never made it to the end where that hole is in the wall.

Registered on February 17, 2004, 236 Posts, 1197 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 24, 2013 at 7:38 PM

A beautiful image, Ben! I think your comp works really nice and I love the colors. The light and the wall is wonderful. I also enjoyed the video.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Ted Gore on June 24, 2013 at 7:54 PM

awesome study of texture and pattern. Worth the effort.

Registered on April 25, 2013, 36 Posts, 149 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on June 24, 2013 at 7:55 PM

Exquisite fine art photography, Ben. The color and tonal separations are extraordinary and your composition could not be better. This had to have brought a smile to your face when you first viewed the 8x10 on the light table. This is what large format is all about. An incredible image. Hats off to you, again, for hauling your 8x10 and gear to this site.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on June 24, 2013 at 8:23 PM

Very interesting image. I like the composition and colors. The greens add a nice touch and the straight lines at the top add a nice tension to the rocks in the foreground.

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

Comment posted by Mike Dawson on June 24, 2013 at 11:17 PM

Fantastic intimate study of light and texture

Registered on February 4, 2006, 364 Posts, 8872 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on June 24, 2013 at 11:49 PM

This is wonderful for the composition and colors. The vertical lines provide a striking backdrop for the round, striated rock. An intimate and interesting scene that I could look at a long time. A unique view. Glad you stayed safe and made the trek for this one. Well worth it for you and for the viewer!

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on June 25, 2013 at 1:25 AM

wonderful elements in this shot, i just love the quality of details

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 25, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Ben,

Just gorgeous. I love all the elements and especially the contrasting elements of the vertical lines of the sandstone cliff with the soft, round curves of the sandstone boulders. Like Vance, I can only imagine how this looks on the light table. No nits or suggestions.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Joerg Bonner on June 25, 2013 at 6:19 AM

fantastic image - well worth the effort!

Registered on September 5, 2011, 44 Posts, 221 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 25, 2013 at 12:47 PM

Gorgeous, Ben. You are nuts carrying a 90lb, but that has nothing to do with this image.

I am glad you stayed later in the canyon so you could share this with us. It is a beauty.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on June 25, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Wonderful capture here, Ben. I like the curtain drop behind the FG little desert garden....

The V-50 for the 8x10 must be about a done deal as of late. I'm down to about 100 sheets left in 4x5 these days.

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

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on June 25, 2013 at 6:44 PM

The shapes, colors, and textures fit together perfectly and that light is just outstanding Ben!

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

Comment posted by Todd Liotine on June 25, 2013 at 11:23 PM

Ben, this shot works in every way, well done and well worth the effort. This actually is one of my favorite shots of yours.

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

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on June 26, 2013 at 2:38 AM

I like the contrast between the curved and vertical lines. Its a wonderful study of lines and textures. I also like the color contrasts between the rocks and the small tufts of grasses. Really well done Ben.

P.S. Hutch from So. Cal. asked me to say Hi to you the next we "crossed paths". So, Hi from Hutch.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 26, 2013 at 10:36 AM

What a great study in shape and color. It seems so simple on first view, but there's so much going on to maintain interest. That hint of light on the back wall really makes this special.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 26, 2013 at 12:51 PM

Love the rich color. A really beautiful image.

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

Comment posted by Ben Horne on June 28, 2013 at 11:27 PM

Thank you for the comments everyone. I was indeed quite happy to see this on the light table when I got it back from the lab. I have a feeling I'll send it off for a drum scan in the near future. I'm glad I stocked up on Velvia -- I have quite a few boxes in the freezer. Hopefully it will soon be re-introduced.

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on June 30, 2013 at 5:46 AM

This is beautiful Ben. I love the contrasting light and lines.

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