Spirit of Snow Canyon

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 30, 2014325 views17 comments

I've taken some time off after a rough couple of months but I'm back to bug you guys again. It's amazing how this site really is a great community and I've missed the interaction.
This was taken back in August after some early monsoon rains. As the storm cleared, this figure took a long look over his domain.

5d2, iso 100, 24mm, f/16, 1/4s, square crop from 3 vertical images.

your comments and critiques are greatly appreciated

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on October 30, 2014 at 11:12 PM

This is stunning, Gary! That strong contrast between the cloud edge and the clear sky creates some fine drama and the high contrast in the landscape really shows off the clean shapes. Definitely a dramatic re-entrance.

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on October 31, 2014 at 8:17 AM

Very dramatic with a wonderful, detailed landscape, Gary. I like the drama and contrast in the sky, but I might try to reduce or lessen the dark band in the sky to the left of the clouds. The foreground/landscape is outstanding. Where is snow canyon, Gary? Would love to see this in person some day.

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

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on October 31, 2014 at 8:32 AM

A very dramatic scene Gary with a Surreal feel that I like a lot. I could easily see one of Dali's liquid watches in this landscape. Beautiful image for my tastes - no suggestions.

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on October 31, 2014 at 9:18 AM

Hope all is ell. Very nice Gary. The left does bother me a tiny bit, kinda get lost there. This would be great mild vertical .

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Ronald Murphy on October 31, 2014 at 9:24 AM

Wow. I like the little flecks in the water destroying the perfect mirror. Very nice.

Registered on March 13, 2012, 279 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seawell on October 31, 2014 at 10:43 AM

I like it Gary! It plays well in mono and the sky is definitely of interest! Welcome back!

Mark

Registered on December 5, 2011, 197 Posts, 237 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on October 31, 2014 at 11:04 AM

Very nice, Gary. I might be tempted to crop a bit off the left, but it works well as presented. Interesting to read Ronald's comments that he likes the flecks in the water. I would be inclined to clone them out. Diversity in opinion makes this world a grand place!!

Welcome back.

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

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on October 31, 2014 at 11:56 AM

First off it's great to have you back Gary, I have missed your B&W landscapes and your thoughtful comments. The range of tones here is fantastic as is the sweeping curve in the FG landscape. My thought is the same as Harley's about cloning out the bright spots in the water. Very dramatic image.

Ed

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 31, 2014 at 12:15 PM

Gary, It is nice seeing your work here again! Great comp on this and I enjoy this b&w conversion. I agree with cloning the specks in the water. Nice work and good to see you back.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on October 31, 2014 at 2:49 PM

Sweet shot, Gary--B&W really works well here! I have this urge to break some rocks so I can see even more of the reflection--but that's being greedy!
and I like the specks personally...

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

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on October 31, 2014 at 3:55 PM

Very nice composition and tones Gary, with a whole lot of drama. Beautiful B&W.
John

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

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on October 31, 2014 at 4:28 PM

Excellent dynamic range here on this B&W, Gary. Title seems to suit the scene very well too. Very nice indeed.

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

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on October 31, 2014 at 5:31 PM

Gary,

The foregrounds reflection provides a lot of interest, and the curved line of the rock provides an inviting lead into this beautiful capture. The image finishes of nicely with a dramatic sky, and you can call this capture sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

Registered on February 20, 2007, 226 Posts, 4571 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on November 1, 2014 at 8:11 AM

Very dramatic and contrasty shot. There seems to be something a little unnatural about your processing of the cloud - Maybe the dark to bright transition zone, in the reflection too. If that was your intent, no worries. Any chances of recovering some of the detail in the brightest part of the cloud? Very picky, but might improve an already dynamic shot.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 1, 2014 at 9:53 AM

Very striking image on many levels Gary!
Wouldn't change a thing, the master has returned

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on November 2, 2014 at 9:37 PM

Welcome back Gary (looks like we both took the summer off). I hope that photography is helping to bring you joy.

The overall comp and rock details are fantastic. I especially like the way the FG shoreline mirrors the sky/cloud shape, providing symmetry that is more interesting that just an overall mirror image.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on November 25, 2014 at 12:49 PM

Gary: Aptly titled and superbly rendered. Most excellent.>=))>

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