by Doug Koepsel
Rainbow Bend
On the way to Kanab, Utah to get a Coyote Buttes permit, I stopped at Horseshoe Bend near Page for sunrise. With clear skies behind and storms atop the Paria Plateau, the promise of a good sunrise was looking good. No unicorns were sighted, but the rainbow was a very welcome sight.
Nikon D810, 1424mm @ 16mm, f/7.1, ISO 64.
Comments
14 commentsGreat sense of depth and vastness to this image. Technically well done, and the rainbow is a very nice addition. There is a strong magenta hue which can be attributed to the lighting at sunrise. Personally, I would be tempted to adjust the hue, use curves or increase the exposure slightly in post processing to bring more life/impact to the scene.
Real nice take on an icon location. Excellent depth to the image, too. The rainbow is a sweet bonus. I might give it a bit of a CCW rotation? I also like Patricia's suggestion.
That rainbow is a very nice bonus, especially it being located exactly in the middle. I agree with the suggestions that the others made about color cast and rotating.
How cool to catch a rainbow at sunrise in a location like this! In looking at the larger version I find myself asking "what should be level" and not seeing a good answer. So while there is a bit of a sense of tilt to the right, it could very well be real.
That is beautiful, Doug! One of the better that I've seen from this icon. I agree about the CCW roation. On images where "what is level?" becomes a question, I tend to lean toward visually level.
A level landscape is a rarity on the plateau considering all the geological uplifting. Like Mark and Craig wrote-whatis level? The rims and points at the Grand Canyon have repeatedly frustrated me with the risings and declinings of elevation, so I have become a careful user of the camera's built-in inclinometer which seems more accurate than a bubble. I looked at Horseshoe Bend on Google Earth and saw a natural decline from south to north (east to west in the image). The outside south/left rim at HB is about 100' higher than the north/right rim.
Since posting this image, I have taken some suggestions, selected the image area around the center point of land, and increased contrast and decreased brightess in luminosity mode, to help give some more depth and highlight the center of the bend. I also did give a slight ccw rotation for aesthetics. Thanks for your honest comments and suggestions.
I agree. This is one of the better images from this viewpoint. As I get older it is more difficult to determine what is on the level or if it matters in the American Southwest. After all, the water isn't moving perceptably.
Doug, The large view makes me feel like I'm standing right there. This is always an impressive view and you captured it beautifully. The rainbow adds such a nice touch as well.
Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Very nice picture and I haven't seen it often at 16mm with a rainbow as bonus. Remarkable details with a beautiful light coupled with the ultra-wide angle make a first class rendition of this icon. Very nice work, I love it.
Nice image Doug. I like it a lot. Perhaps you might give the darker foreground a bit more contrast.
Hi Doug
To me the composition is perfectly level. the BG is further away on the RT side. giving an illusion of a tilt... the colors are beautifully natural.. and the sense of depth is amazing.. very fine work
Albert Darmo ....Canada
Really nice, Doug. I just spent 2 days fishing from Lee's Ferry, specifically fishing one afternoon around Horseshoe Bend. I love the view from the top, but the view from below is also impressive. Beautiful couple of days. This image reminds me that icons are icons for a reason. Lovely morning you have portrayed and I hope you have equally good luck at Coyote Buttes.
This looks beautiful. You did a good job of this iconic location.
eye-catching image, as very often happens here.
Clear, well framed, well managed as tones and colours....I like it.
All the best,
sandro