More of Red Mountain along the Salt: Here are a couple more of Red Mountain that I took on Christmas Day. The clouds were playful, so we went from "severe clear" to totally clouded and...

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Here are a couple more of Red Mountain that I took on Christmas Day. The clouds were playful, so we went from "severe clear" to totally clouded and back again several times. One cloud looked very much like an angel!

I'm looking for any suggestions you might have to make either of these better. I have to tell you up front that I really like both of these.

There are some dust spots on my sensor, apparently. I'm cleaning them up on the TIFF's as they get printed or uploaded to my website. So know that I'm aware of them.

These have basic processing: From RAW, contrast adjustment, clarity, vibrance. straightened.

Cloud cover was pretty heavy on this one.

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Angel wings over Red Mountain! I've lightened the hills to the right a tad. Too much?

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I think you did not lighten the second too much,
but I prefer the first with the grasses in the foreground.
Nice job.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Nothing looks unnatural to me about the right-side hills in #2, but hard to know without the original.

The light in #1 is truly exquisite. I'm torn about the reeds, though. They are gorgeous and add a lot, but I find myself wishing you had been able to step to the left so that the mountain peak's reflection might be visible through the gap.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

I really like the light in both. I think in the second image the grasses on the left should be cropped out. They look like an after thought to me and I do like the beautiful reflection that is unblemished.

I sorta like the first one, but the grasses are too dark---could they be a little lighter???

The mountain is beautiful, but I like the reflection the most.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Longshadow wrote:

I think you did not lighten the second too much,
but I prefer the first with the grasses in the foreground.
Nice job.

Thanks. That's good to know. I was afraid the grasses (although I liked them there) blocked the view a bit too much.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Linda From Maine wrote:

Nothing looks unnatural to me about the right-side hills in #2, but hard to know without the original.

The light in #1 is truly exquisite. I'm torn about the reeds, though. They are gorgeous and add a lot, but I find myself wishing you had been able to step to the left so that the mountain peak's reflection might be visible through the gap.

The hills off to the side in #2 were in a bit of shadow, and they looked really dull comparatively. But then, everything is sort of dull compared to Red Mountain!

Yes, the reeds were a problem. When I stepped to the left, I was getting really blocked (and someone was standing there and didn't want to move!). And there was a lot of mud. I was almost in the river as it was, and moving more to the left would have put me into the water. I was trying to avoid that!

Thanks, Linda.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

treadwl wrote:

I really like the light in both. I think in the second image the grasses on the left should be cropped out. They look like an after thought to me and I do like the beautiful reflection that is unblemished.

I sorta like the first one, but the grasses are too dark---could they be a little lighter???

The mountain is beautiful, but I like the reflection the most.

I have lightened the darkest part of the grass a bit in PS. If I did more they started to lose their definition, so I backed off a bit. Yes, they are DARK! And I agree: the reflections of this mountain are beautiful. Of course, I also love the mountain itself, but looking at it on that quiet water is pretty awesome. Thanks for looking in!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

AzPicLady wrote:

Thanks. That's good to know. I was afraid the grasses (although I liked them there) blocked the view a bit too much.

It would be interesting to see what Linda suggested about the mountian peak.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

I like them both. Really nice job.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Hi. I prefer the first one, although both are quite beautiful. The first has superior composition with foreground, interesting subject, and background of a brilliant sky and clouds. The reflection is icing on the photo cake. I enjoy the focus, exposure and the overall feeling I get while viewing the image. Well done.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Kathy, these are lovely. I agree with the comment about the foreground grass. That could be dealt with through the use of color or luminosity masks. Otherwise, the lighting and you way you handled it is quite nice.
--Bob

AzPicLady wrote:

Here are a couple more of Red Mountain that I took... (show quote)