Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

'Secret Spire,' that is, as it was this evening.

A few notes:

First, this is a two image stack. Two images were deemed necessary because the foreground rock (lower left) was extremely close, close to the closest focusing distance of the lens, and at f/11 --even with a 24mm lens-- it was apparent that the more distant (middle ground) 'Secret Spire' and the extremely distant horizon line ('Cleopatra's Chair' is visible, some 30 miles off in the Maze District of Canyonlands N.P.) would not have been within dof, so a second exposure that focused on those was made, stacked, and blended seamlessly in Ps.

Second, this is an 'ok' shot. It is not what I'd hoped for, or what I'd even anticipated. I'd been watching the skies throughout the afternoon, and from home it seemed the clouds were sufficiently interesting that the hour's trip out to the shooting site might be worth while. But living where I do, nestled deep in a valley with thousand foot cliffs that block the horizon, and without getting out of town and without gaining sufficient elevation, there was no way to tell what the western evening sky might be like. But nevertheless, I went.

Third, landscape photography is a matter of either of two things. There's planning and knowing the intricacies of a place, and there simple, basic luck. In the instance of this image, once I'd gained the thousand feet plus elevation where the western horizon became visible, it was apparent there was more cloud cover than I'd have wanted, and at late and last light, the sun would be shrouded, and there'd be no 'color' to speak of. Sometimes you simply have to make the best with what you're presented.

Lastly, this image is the first of several dozen images (solo shots, multiple images to be worked up as focus stacks, panoramas, and/or stacked panos) I shot. I don't know --yet-- if its the 'best' or even the 'better' of what all I shot. But I like it nonetheless. So...…...

(Download)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

To my eye the photo looks basically sound and the composition is excellent. The eye gets led from the foreground to the main object of interest and then on to the distant horizon. It looks balanced and has depth and interest.

I don't see why you consider the sky to be such a disappointment. Presumably if the sky had been a bit clearer there would have been strong, yellow/orange evening sunlight hitting those yellow/orange rocks. I don't see that as an insurmountable loss because when it comes to post processing, neutral light can have distinct advantages. The spread of colours is wider and more even, as opposed to having the orange of the rocks predominating and perhaps even coming close to saturating. If you think that more colour would have been better, this shot looks like a good candidate for split toning. Adding a touch of blue (~215-220) to the highlights, orange (~33-35) to the darks and experimenting with the Balance slider, you can add depth to the colour palette and at the same time balance the warm and cool tints.

If the lighting was a bit darker than you'd hoped, it looks like lifting the shadows a tad (while maintaining the contrast) would alleviate most of the unwanted darkness.

All of these suggestions come from somebody who doesn't have any reservations about using PP to push an image in the direction of what it would have been like under more favourable circumstances. I appreciate that not everybody allows themselves such flagrant liberty-taking where the realities of the capture are concerned .

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

This is, to my eye, ...stunning!
I find it hard to conceive a composition that could take greater advantage of the explicit depth cues - in terrain and sky- that you have used so effectively. Even the obvious “horizon breaker - that knob-topped pillar- is located at the perfect distance to be of greatest effect as a strong Comparative height referent for relative proximity and greater distance of other compositional elements.
This image, IMO, is a veritable clinic in composing for maximally perceived depth !
I would like your permission, Jim, to download this for inclusion in my teaching set.
Dave

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

I appreciate your comments and suggestions, R.G.; they were helpful, and this morning I did a slight revision to the image. Rather than going in a split toning direction, though, I increased the color temperature in the sky slightly, and this made for a more 'unified' palette overall.

I was not, however, disappointed with the sky and/or the clouds, though. All I could see from home was high elevation wispy cirrus clouds, and as I'd written, I couldn't see what lay on and above the western horizon. Any disappointment I may have had lie in the fact that to the west (and well out of the shot), cloud cover descended to the land-line horizon; this prevented the true 'last light' from being able to penetrate and illuminate the undersides of the clouds which would've provided the 'color' I'd referred to, and that was what I'd hoped for and found I wouldn't get. Oh, well. I suppose that the point I was trying to make with this post was, to quote Tolkien: "there is nothing like looking, if you want to find something... You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after."

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Thanks, Dave. And, as I hope you already know --though I thank you for asking-- of course you have my permission.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

I agree with R.G. Your sky and clouds are awesome.......why be disappointed?!?!?! Everything about the photo is stunning. Great photo!
I just want to know exactly how to get to this secret!! I've been to Moab and Canyonlands many times but never have known about this treasure!

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

How to get there? Piece of cake, Brent. Got a 4WD vehicle?

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

In the past I have owned 4 different 4WD vehicles, but none now. Does that mean I need to rent one or hook up with a friend who has one?!?!?

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

But Brent…. you have a friend who has a 4WD vehicle. And so long as it hasn't rained within a week beforehand, I'm always ready to head out into the boonies. Plus, I know how to get there. And maybe one or two other places as well.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Beautiful!

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Y'know, Jim, I think I like this version even better than I do Friday's. And to tell you the truth, I just didn't think that was possible.

DaveJ Loc: NE Missouri

Excellent image. I really appreciate your story that goes with it. Keep them coming!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

It is a great shot. I like the sky, the subdue colors and the visual design.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I really like this. At first I thought the expanse of smooth rock in the foreground was a hindrance, but after staring at it for a long time, I decided not. Instead it gives me a "safe place" to be to look at the scene.

John from gpwmi Loc: Michigan

I really like this photo, Cany. The terrestrial setting is stunning and I really like the unique sky. The clouds appear low as though nature put a lid over the area, adding more interest for me.