Light & Shadow #3

You caught some great textural lighting here, and I like the BW conversion.  In this case, it seems that the focus should be in the illuminated fins section of the image, and the right lower corner canyon just cant match up.  I would tighten up the comp - or maybe you have another version you took.  I would crop off the right side to the vertical canyon, off the bottom to below the lower lit rock on the left, maybe some off the top of the sky.  In this way you would still have some of the canyon snaking through the bottom with the large shadow portions eliminated.  There is also a extremely bright canyon wall just right of center that i might darken a tad.  Look forward to seeing more, as I'm processing many similar views at this time.

This looks very good in B&W, Brian.  The mix of bright tops and dark depths works well with the clouds adding nicely to the scene.  The script "v" of the river makes a fine compositional element.  I agree with Harry that the bright fin coming in from the right edge is a distraction, which has me thinking that cropping off the right edge to an 8.5 x 11 shape would work well.  I also wonder about processing for some extra contrast in the distant valleys.

Brian, considering the light and color, B&W is a good decision.  Possible suggestions may be to crop off the intruding lit point near the bottom right, and increasing the contrast of both land and sky.

Very nice, Bryan. I like the well controlled light. Good suggestions have been made already. I agree about a slight boost in contrast in the canyon. 

Brian, This really is an impressive view! I have looked at it for awhile and I agree with all of Harry's thoughts (suggestions) on it. I also agree a bit more contrast could be good as well. It is a great scene and a bit more time on it could make it even better I think.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

Brain,

A grand view and capture for sure.  I can guess that the color version might have been a little non-descript, so going b&w was probably a good choice.  I do think though that this could use a boost, more contrast.  Perhaps it's the haze in the atmosphere that's dulling the contrast.  I like the brooding sky which makes me think that even the late/early light hitting the canyon walls might have been warm enough for color?  not sure though.

I also noticed the postage-sized sheer wall in the LR quadrant, but that's minor to the overall presentation.

Great potential here, but I think could use some pop, or something.

Lon

I like your composition, Brian. I agree it could use a boost in contrast--perhaps in the mid-tones. The lights and darks look good. This does have a nice depth, and B&W was a good choice.
--P

Beautiful and dramatic overlook. I would agree with comments on raising the midtone contrast. I'd  also experiment with lighting the river course at the bottom of the canyon to add more depth.

Interesting reading everyone's comments on this; it is a learning experience for me as I've never photographed the Grand Canyon and don't do much with B&W.  I can imagine that you had some really dark shadows down in there given that it was shortly after sunrise, so you did a good job of bringing out detail in there.  It sure conveys a feeling of large expanse and depth. I like the directional light and the comp really well, but I am trying to figure out just where everyone is saying to crop it!!  I do agree with the suggestion about maybe cropping off a bit of sky, to help put the emphasis down on the canyon. I also think it needs some contrast, as it feels a bit hazy, but hey, I wasn't there.

What an incredible place, Brian.  Hard to go wrong anywhere along the canyon.  I agree that it looks a little flat and hazy.  The large view is much better, but could still use some tweaking.  I definitely would tone down the lit cliff face in the lower right center area as Harry suggested.  I never get tired of seeing images from here.

Large view is magical Brian. I do see the point about the haze (you could use local contrast enhancement to clear that some), but it does provide a bit of a contrast to the sharper foreground. I like the crop idea too.