Landscape photography is not my strong suit but.. we were driving out of Grand Junction, Colorado last week and it was cold and very foggy. Pulled over to shoot a couple of images, one...

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

we were driving out of Grand Junction, Colorado last week and it was cold and very foggy. Pulled over to shoot a couple of images, one wide and one section of the scene that was surreal. I did some processing and then stopped so I could seek some advice before I messed them up. I did not convert to B&W but looked at them in Nik Silver Efix but not happy with any of the variations. While I normally shoot in raw, these were not. What can I say, it was cold, dangerous to be pulled over in heavy fog so did what I could, for the situation. No tripod and shivering like crazy. I just want to get the best I can with these, so what do you folks think?

(Download)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

:thumbup: :thumbup:

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

wowbmw wrote:

we were driving out of Grand Junction, Colorado la... (show quote)

I think the cropped version is just fine as it is. It may not be black and white but is definitely monochrome. Fascinating texture and detail fading away to nothing. Very nice.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

They both work very well for me.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

wowbmw wrote:

so what do you folks think?

I think they both are spectacular images. If you want to make good photographs stand in front of something interesting.

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

robertjerl wrote:

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Thanks so much for weighing in on these!

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

mcveed wrote:

I think the cropped version is just fine as it is. It may not be black and white but is definitely monochrome. Fascinating texture and detail fading away to nothing. Very nice.

Appreciate your feedback. The closer image is not a physical crop of the pano as I just zoomed in. My images do not do the scene justice. It was so spectacular and I was a bit disappointed that the magic was missing. I think that is why I'm not so turned on to capturing grand landscapes.

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

Frank2013 wrote:

I think they both are spectacular images. If you want to make good photographs stand in front of something interesting.

You are right about that. Just wish I could have captured it better than I did. I don't think I will ever forget how magical it felt to witness this dynamic place.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I think they're fabulous! Very striking studies of textures in harsh weather.

Maybe the appeal of images of "grand landscapes" has to do with whether someone has witnessed similar themselves and can more easily feel a connection. This scene looks somewhat similar to areas of central Washington and the icy fog certainly is a winter staple here.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Surreal is the word here. I have looked at both for a time now and can't get my head around it. I think I see snow but with all the specks not sure. I guess it is foliage peaking bone the snow. Is this color accurate? On my monitor it has quite a blue cast. I live in Texas and have never seen anything like this. Wow! Jim

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Frank2013 wrote:

I think they both are spectacular images. If you want to make good photographs stand in front of something interesting.

wowbmw wrote:

You are right about that. Just wish I could have captured it better than I did. I don't think I will ever forget how magical it felt to witness this dynamic place.

Let me try putting it this way: I make pictures (a LOT of landscapes) to try to share with family and friends both what I saw and felt. I looked at your wide shot and immediately wanted to be there. You said you were cold. The shot exudes COLD. Cold and damp. The blue cast is perfect. Whatever processing you've already done strikes me as perfect, compositions and contrast exactly right. Maybe you would consider putting up a "raw" jpeg (and incidentally I shot 100% jpeg for years and see nothing wrong with it; all you have to do is nail the exposure) so we can see your thinking (only if you want to).

The landscape itself is amazing (we have to go!), but in a cold fog it is eeeeerily compelling, I suspect more exciting to see this way than in clear weather. For my money you have gotten the best out of this scene. :thumbup: :thumbup:

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

Linda From Maine wrote:

I think they're fabulous! Very striking studies of textures in harsh weather.

Maybe the appeal of images of "grand landscapes" has to do with whether someone has witnessed similar themselves and can more easily feel a connection. This scene looks somewhat similar to areas of central Washington and the icy fog certainly is a winter staple here.

The idea that the images are studies of texture in harsh weather fits well. Perhaps this is reason enough to declare them finished and move on. Your comments are always appreciated. Thank you.

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

Jim-Pops wrote:

Surreal is the word here. I have looked at both for a time now and can't get my head around it. I think I see snow but with all the specks not sure. I guess it is foliage peaking bone the snow. Is this color accurate? On my monitor it has quite a blue cast. I live in Texas and have never seen anything like this. Wow! Jim

I think the blue cast is a result of blue sky above the low settling fog. Adding clarity, contrast and a bit of vibrance enhanced this tone. Since the snow was a fresh light dusting and quite icy the old foliage was indeed poking through and appears as specs. This high contrast scene stopped me dead on the tract. As luck would have it, there was a brief pull out on the I-70 interstate in the perfect spot. Thanks for weighing in.

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

Chuck_893 wrote:

Let me try putting it this way: I make pictures (a... (show quote)

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Often my motivation for making an image is to share it with my family and friends as well. What better reason does anyone need to keep the passion alive? The surrounding area is referred to as the Book Cliffs. Within a 100 mile radius photographers will discover some unforgettable landscapes including the Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, and so much more. Given your generous comments I do feel better about these images.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

wowbmw wrote:

we were driving out of Grand Junction, Colorado la... (show quote)

Your panorama is a geologic metaphor for a flower that has been bisected and viewed at the sectioned surface.
Absolutely fascinating. I'm quickly urged to accept being drawn into its depths and exploring around the hidden side of the central "petals".
This demands a large print to hang above and behind a really big couch!

Very impressive for impact, technical accomplishment, and use of natural symmetry as the basis of composition.

Dave