Zion's Spirit + 2 Reposts

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 22, 2016196 views12 comments

About four years ago, my wife and I set out on our first vacation together to Zion National Park. When we first arrived at the Park, we both were blown away by the natural beauty of Zion. On the night this image was captured, I felt blessed to witness such amazing light, and I was so happy to have the ability to capture this scene and share with others.

I would love to hear any thoughts on this image, I know it is a bit saturated, but this is how I remember it. I have been experimenting with the greens quite a bit, should I reduce them some more, or color balance them in a different direction?

Thanks so much for having a looksy. cool

Canon xti, canon 24-105, Iso 100, f16, tripod, 2 blended exposures, Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop CC

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on June 22, 2016 at 6:35 PM

Ryan: I think your suggestion to tone down the brightness/saturation of the greens is a good one, since it is a rather muted scene in terms of light levels. I struggled with the sky a bit. The tone is so different from what I'd normally expect to see, that at first, it seemed unnatural. But, the more I looked at the image the more I liked it. I like the fact that the sky is different and unique in the good sense. Very round about way of saying that I like image. cool

Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on June 22, 2016 at 9:14 PM

I like the light, Ryan. The image is pretty saturated overall, but not significantly so except, for me anyway, the sky, which looks a bit unnatural to me. I agree with Richard, however, that the sky is unique among the ubiquitous images of this iconic scene.

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 22, 2016 at 10:35 PM

Ryan, this is a fine view from Zion. Nicely balanced with the distant ridge. I like the blue stream in the bottom middle, the green trees against the red rocks and that amazing sky. I do think both the greens and the blues are too saturated. I'd say turn down both the green and yellow channels 10 points in PS for the greens. The blues might need to be turned down 20 or even 30 pts. If that ruins the sky, use a layer and a mask so the desat. is only applied to the land.

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

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on June 22, 2016 at 10:49 PM

I turned down the yellow and green saturation in the trees greenery 25 points each in the yellow and green saturation channels and the overall blue saturation 30 points. Look Better?

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

Comment posted by Ed Williams on June 23, 2016 at 12:05 AM

The colors are surreal here Ryan. It really gives a 3D effect. I personally like the strong saturation, but I know many do not share my tastes.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on June 23, 2016 at 1:30 AM

Beautiful and unique Zion image, Ryan. I like the repost and could still see a little more magenta removed from the sandstone. The light on the Watchman can be pretty crazy, but I think it is showing the effects of too much saturation. I'm glad you were blessed with such cool conditions, that sky is insane!!!!

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Shain on June 23, 2016 at 9:55 AM

Magentas and reds reduced in the rock face. Looking better?

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 23, 2016 at 10:32 AM

I prefer the 1st repost, but the final choice is yours. It is fun to see how different all of our tastes are.

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

Comment posted by John Williams on June 23, 2016 at 8:18 PM

Zion really is amazing. Final repost looks great to me Ryan.

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

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on June 24, 2016 at 12:27 AM

The second repost is my favorite, Ryan. devil

Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on June 24, 2016 at 4:45 PM

Sweet! I like the first repost best. I like the warmer tones.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 26, 2016 at 4:55 PM

Hi Ryan, What a wonderful scene this is. The comp you came up with here really works nice and it has such an inviting feel. Certainly makes me wish I was there. The first repost works great for me. Nice work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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