Ocotillo on Ledge

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 15, 2013265 views15 comments

First, thanks for the comments on my previous image. Shot this in Big Bend National Park several years ago. Captured with walking in the dry stream bed at Ersnt Tinaja. I liked the tonal contrast and thought it would make a decent B&W image.

Please see the LARGER version for better detail.

Your thoughts and comments are always welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on December 15, 2013 at 9:54 PM

This has a strong graphic quality to it. I like the extreme contrasting tones. I think what is most impressive is that this is a scene that I probably would have walked past and yet you have made a very compelling image here. Seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary is the evidence of a good eye for composition and your work always showcases that skill.

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

Comment posted by John Williams on December 15, 2013 at 10:06 PM

Oh that's nice Bill. I totally agree with Brian; I would have walked right past, and especially not thought about how strong the ocotillo is in BW. I need to keep my eye more open for these opportunities.

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

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on December 16, 2013 at 7:29 AM

Quite nice Bill, love the light and tones, and your composition works beautifully. Good eye indeed.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on December 16, 2013 at 9:24 AM

The ocotillo appears to be electrified,,,,,or crystalline.

Brian stated it well. This is one of those images that point out the extraordinary possibilities hidden in the ordinary if you have the vision.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 16, 2013 at 1:30 PM

Simple--but works for me, Bill!

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

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 16, 2013 at 3:56 PM

Simple and graphic--I like it. The tones in the strata are very ncie and give a good sense of light. The ocotillo looks wonderful.

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on December 16, 2013 at 6:05 PM

Hi Bill

This composition is really well conceived....... Real cool of you spotting this splendid rock formation on the dry stream bed.. was this an original B&W or a conversion?
Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on December 16, 2013 at 10:23 PM

Your use of diagonals compliment the graphic quality of this image beautifully, Bill. Great eye to notice this.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on December 17, 2013 at 6:11 AM

the dark sky make this subject very special

wonderful image

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

Comment posted by Jim Greenwood on December 17, 2013 at 8:27 PM

Oh I really like this! Uncomplicated compositions like this are often the best. This seems ideal for B&W, but I'd bet that the color version is just as compelling.

Registered on November 9, 2003, 229 Posts, 1523 Comments

Comment posted by Bret Edge on December 18, 2013 at 3:38 AM

This is gorgeous, Bill! Simple and graphic in a very good way. Love it!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on December 18, 2013 at 9:35 AM

Beautiful, Bill. Fine job on the conversion and I really like the strong graphical composition.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on December 18, 2013 at 9:43 AM

Thanks all for your comments!

Albert - this was a manual conversion. I stopped using Silver Efex Pro some time back because i felt I could do a better job manually - CS4 is more user friendly to convert IMO.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on December 18, 2013 at 3:53 PM

Oh my, this is simply stunning! Perfect in b&w.

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on December 19, 2013 at 3:39 PM

I knew this was from your trip to Big Bend as soon as I saw it was your post. This is excellent all the way around, Bill. The b&w choice adds to the scene with the pure black sky outlining the ocotillo so well. Super nice work, and hiding in the archive too?...

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