Repost + Valley of Dreams

I think that you have captured the mood in this exceptionally well.  Great photo.

I like this very much.  My first thought was to suggest that you increase the brightness just a little.  But when I viewed the larger version, it seems fine ... which is to say that the smaller version above seems to me to be darker than the larger version.  Also, the horizon is slightly lower on the left.  Perhaps this is just the lay of the land, but I wonder if a slight clockwise rotation would be something to consider.

You've created a fine quietly somber mood here, Sairam.  My reaction is just like Jim's, the smaller version is quite dark but the larger version opens up nicely.  You've blended the exposures well.

Reposted a slightly brighter version :)

The slightly brighter version works even better in a dark room.  Beautiful color in one of my favorite places.

Sairam,

This is a wonderful take on the Grand Canyon.  Terrific job with the blend and I think  here is a great example of how one can ignore the rules and how a 50/50 composition like this can be successful.

The slighter lighter version works beautifully.  I like the edges of light in the canyon, not too bright that it becomes not believable with the stars.  The remaining color along the  horizon is a great help as well.

The only very minor suggestion I have would be to reduce the blues in the canyon shadows.  Sure, because of the light and conditions there would be blue light in the shadows, but it feels every so slightly saturated in the canyon. Just one of those little things to take an image to the next level. At least for me.

Great job with this and thanks for posting.

Thanks so much guys! Really appreciate the feedback. 

Lon, great spot with the blues in the shadows. I made an adjustment to remove some the blue from the canyon shadows, and you're right, the difference is night and day! 

Love the fact I can edit the image on the fly based on your insightful feedback :)

Looking even better Sairam!  The canyon even warmed up a bit taking down the blue.  I'm loving this.

The second repost is looks really fine!  Increasing the brightness helped a lot, and then warming up the shadows as Lon suggested does indeed take the composition to the next level.  I'm still standing by my earlier suggestion that the image would benefit from the ever so slightest of clockwise rotations. 

With Sairam's consent, I have gone a little further with adjustments in the canyon areas and included an adjusted image.  I felt that some slight adjustments would help with added contrast and color balance and open up shadow detail without brightening the image - that might destroy the evening mood.  Feel free to disagree with the changes though.  Adjustment were made in PSCS6: Image-Adjustments-Selective Colors: It seemed that the Reds, Magenta, and Blacks were controlling how the canyon appeared.

So In the Reds: cyan -10  magenta -10;  Magentas: cyan +10, magenta -20, blacks -10; Blacks: cyan +3, yellow +2.  

Inintailly, my overall impression was that the canyon looked too magenta vs. too red.  So it was the magenta and blacks I adjusted most.  While this may be a more realistic color balance to what I have seen under similar conditions, who's to say.  Just my interpretation without being there so take it for what it is worth.

After seeing the post, a little boost in vibrance may be needed, at least on my monitor.

After all of that, I forgot to mention how much I like this shot - such a special peaceful mood as night takes over and the canyon gives one last glow before going dark.  Peaceful, and somewhat ominous to me all at the same time.  Great balance in comp and the subltle sidelighting just spectacular for me.  Just a little horizon adjustment needed.

Sairam,
Beautiful shot. Prefer final rework by Harry.  Sky rendering looks great but, at least on my monitor, the reds in the canyon are a bit strong so I might tweak the saturation just a tad lower.

I like the brighter version and concur on the slight clockwise rotation.  At first I thought it was an illusion stemming from the light in the left horizon, but I think it is tilted a tish. 

That said, this is just lovely.  You captured the stars and soft sunset light beautifully, and the canyon ridges and valleys are nicely composed as well.  This is a joy to look at.  That is one gorgeous blue!

Breath taking work, Sairam. The nightime sky and the sweet light on the canyon walls is dripping with mood. I think Harrry's repost really made this sing.

Ed

Beauttiful image, Sairam. The final rework by Harry is outstanding.  

My feeling from the first post was that the canyon was a bit too dark and too saturated, so I actually like the repo by Harry. Wonderful capture though, the sky is very nice, not too dark, and not too light either.

Sweet capture and the last editing my Harry works quite well. And, as mentioned, ever so slight adjustment to get the horizon level and this is a "wall-hanger." 

Outstanding image, Sairam.  All the reworks have helped, but the intial vision and execution are really well done.  One of my favorites from you.  Very, very nice. Should make an awesome print.

Thanks Harry for a wonderful edit, and your insightful suggestions. Here's another version taking onboard Harry's suggestions, and straightening the horizon (rotated CW). 

Jim, I forgot to rotate the horizon in my earlier repost. Have fixed that here 

Thanks so much for the encouragement and kind words, guys! I'm glad you all like this image. It was pretty special to be standing there without crowds and listening to the wind whistle through the canyon 

A very unique Grand Canyon image. The reworks improved an already excellent start. The subtle lightning is really special.

Sairam, I like this. I realise the comp is probably unorthodox, with the equal division of land and sky, but for me it works. The colour is both believable and dramatic and, in my humble estimation, this photograph would make a nice fine art print.

thanks guys!