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Afterglow & RePost
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Afterglow & RePost

by Harry Lichtman

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 14, 2017354 views25 comments
Large View Available

Finally getting to some images from my 1st (but not last) trip to the Grand Canyon this past fall.  I think the fear of crowds has kept me away for years, but there is a reason that so many people go there.  I found it pretty awe inspiring and had plenty of peace and quiet despite seeing the bus loads cruising around.  I will return, winter, summer monsoon, just not sure when.  Lots to see and hiking to do.This was a beauty of a sunset off the Hermitage Road area, can't quite remember which overlook.  FG options weren't great, so I went with the big view. This was taken about 5 mins. after sunset after waiting about 3 hrs for a featureless overcast to clear.  Thanks for your thoughts.

D810, 16-35, f8, polarizing filter

Comments

25 comments
Comment posted by Dan Schwartz on February 14, 2017 at 7:51 PM
Harry,
Well worth the wait. A beautiful sunset with enough light left to color the canyon.
The very wide angle gives a slightly stretched look to me  but very minimal. I like it.
 
Registered on September 29, 2016, 23 Posts, 97 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on February 14, 2017 at 9:02 PM
Well that certainly doesnt suck.  Weeee!

aF
Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on February 14, 2017 at 10:03 PM
Fabulous sky to go with the dramatic view, Harry. Processing is excellent for both the sky and canyon. devil
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Igor Doncov on February 15, 2017 at 12:00 AM
The large view is a must see. There is a remarkable richness to the detail in the canyon itself. We see a lot of canyon pictures here but rarely do you see that medium format look to them. The light was great but I suspect much of it has to do with the D810. Your images are often sharpened to a 'crunchy' level but this looks 'naturally sharp' if that makes sense. The 16-35 lens is not the sharpest lens on the market so I don't think it's the lens that's giving these results. What can I say. The shadows have great detail. The highlights have great detail.
The suggestion I have is in regards to the  bright ridge peaking through the bottom of the frame. I would like to see more of it because it nicely divides the shadow area. I wouldn't crop it off as a solution, though. In addition, the single foremost cloud looks a bit incongruous because the others look more dispersed, but that's probably how it was.
Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments
Comment posted by Ronald Murphy on February 15, 2017 at 7:50 AM
A fantastic feeling of depth in the large image.
Registered on March 13, 2012, 279 Posts, 975 Comments
Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on February 15, 2017 at 8:17 AM
WOW!  The large view is stunning... its just like being there.  Great composition, depth, color and tonal range. 
Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 15, 2017 at 10:00 AM
Beautiful. Wonderful depth, both in topography and within the image. And a great sky. Excellent. 
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on February 15, 2017 at 3:13 PM
Nicely done, Harry, absolutely beautiful, gorgeous light and color.
 
Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 15, 2017 at 3:23 PM
Harry: Good things come to those who wait. Beautiful scene superbly rendered. >=))>
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on February 15, 2017 at 3:36 PM
Well, this just rocks! The large version is a must-see. In regards to Igor's comment about that bit of ridge peeking in at the bottom of the frame--you could try burning it down some and see how it looks. This would make a gorgeous print! Well done, Harry!
--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Kearl on February 15, 2017 at 3:47 PM
You pretty much nailed this one...
I think the Canyon is actually kind of hard to photograph. Your PP really brought out the depth and the sky is a big plus.
Nice....
Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments
Comment posted by D.A. Edwards on February 15, 2017 at 4:31 PM
Agree with all of the other comments, Harry, this is outstanding. I particularly like the lower level clouds that mimic the folds of the canyon below.
Registered on October 8, 2014, 226 Posts, 1187 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on February 15, 2017 at 8:01 PM
Click image for Larger Version

Thanks for all of the comments.  I just processed a pano version of  essentially the same scene, but includes a larger sweep of the canyon / river through the image.  Clouds a little different, and I cropped off some of the upper sky so as not to overwhelm the canyon.  The cloud reflected light did wonders for the canyon colors. Taken a few minutes earlier than the original post.

Definitely lucked out with the sky color and formation on this day.
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 15, 2017 at 8:39 PM
Harry,

Absolutely gorgeous image and view of the canyon.  Everything in in concert, from the colors, the light and the clouds/sky.

If Igor is commenting about the pointed ridge at the bottom center, I might agree; both in that I wish there was a bit more (also including a bit more of the LLC. but also agree a crop isn't the solution here, and so no solution... no problem.  Image is still outstanding.

I love the pano alternative as well.  Can't say one is any level better than the other, although I think the LLC is resolved better for me in the pano.  The color slightly less intense due the slightly earlier capture.  Still, the pano version strikes me very well indeed.

Both clearly deserved to be printed big, hanging proudly.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by gary phillips on February 15, 2017 at 9:19 PM
Really sweet Harry.  The little pointed ridge is the only thing I can see that could be improved, but like Lon, I don't have a solution.  I applaud your patience. It paid off nicely.  Next time you are out this way drop me an email, I'd love to join you on an adventure.
Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on February 15, 2017 at 9:19 PM
Beautiful view of the canyon and you had a great day to compliment the scene.  I was there in mid-December and found the crowds to be light.  I would like to go back during monsoon season, but probably to the North Rim.  If you get an opportunity to go back, I really enjoyed shooting from Pima Point on the west side of the South Rim.  There are a lot of interesting compositional elements from this viewpoint and I don't recall having seen many photos from that point.  In fact if you look at the images that I have posted to date, all but Grand Finale and Canyon Textures was taken from this point. 
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 16, 2017 at 8:35 AM
Quite the change from "featureless overcast".  Your patience was well rewarded.  This is a great mix of canyon and sky.  I'm specially attracted to the color coordination throughout, that gets emphasized so well by the bits of blue.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on February 16, 2017 at 3:32 PM
I much prefer the pano. What a scene and experience it must have been. The initial version - sky seems somehow disconnected or pasted. Pano is beautiful
Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Leggett on February 16, 2017 at 6:33 PM
Fine image of a classic canyon scene, Harry.  You really had the sky in your favor for this.  Great work blush
Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on February 17, 2017 at 1:40 PM
Thanks for all of the comments and observations.

Dan - Yes, the distortion from the wide angle a bit unavoidable.  I remember looking through the viewfinder, then looking back at the canyon and thinking Hmmmm.  It really must be seen to feel the vastness of the place.  The left side does sem to be pitching down hill a little.

Igor - I look and see if there are any shots with the lower point, instead of it looking like more of an afterthought!

Gary - I will look you up when I get a chance to get back there.  Hope to try some BW conversions, which I figure you might try.

Dan - I agree, I found it hard to capture the big view.  Where to place the ends of the image was a tough decision.  I used the light as a guide and tried include the best light.

Brian - I think I hit all of the overlooks via the Rim trail which beats taking the bus to see what the possibilities are in between.  I must have hit Pima, probably took some photos from thereabouts, just can't remember.  I'll have to look back on yours and cross reference.  I remembered I was at Powell because I waited there so long!

Prashant - The close clouds were much different and closer than the higher clouds which were the overcast clouds that broke up.They are not catching the colorful hues of the distant sky, so they do look a little out of place and pasted.  I gives me more of a 3-D feel to the image.
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on February 18, 2017 at 10:11 AM
Harry, you sure caught some nice conditions at the canyon to give the glow after sunset and also with the low clouds against the colored high clouds.  To me, there seems to be just a little too much tonal contrast in the clouds.  As you noted, a good foreground is hard to find and incorporate into these wide shots at the canyon.  I like the pano version more.  I think the centered cloud helps too.
Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments
Comment posted by Navin Sarma on February 22, 2017 at 10:00 AM
I love the complex sky, especially in the 3:2 crop where it gains a bit more prominence. Some nice subtle contrasts in color in both the clouds and the foreground. Nice work Harry
Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments
Comment posted by Sairam Sundaresan on February 22, 2017 at 2:46 PM
I prefer the first one where you have some more prominence for the sky. Beautiful capture and processing, Harry!
Registered on March 14, 2013, 100 Posts, 643 Comments
Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on February 24, 2017 at 4:21 PM
First version is pretty much perfect for me.
Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments
Comment posted by Thomas Haney on February 28, 2017 at 9:02 PM
The epitome of an epic view Harry, just wonderful.
Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments