The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I recently learned about this backcountry arch from a friend, who was generous enough to provide me with the GPS coordinates. This weekend, my wife and I, along with three of our best friends in Moab, set out to find it. As you can see, we did. It has no name and isn’t even listed in the arch database. So, we unanimously decided to name it Friendship Arch to honor our almost twenty year history of mountain biking, hiking, camping and supporting one another during difficult times. I know that technically the law of landscape photography prohibits one from shooting mid-day but I threw caution to the wind and made a few images anyway. I’ll go back in better conditions some day but for now, I’m quite happy with this one.
Specific Feedback
I’m curious if the mid-day light is too harsh or if shooting into the sun made better use of the light I was given.
Technical Details
Sony A7IV
Sigma 14-24mm lens @ 17.4mm
ISO 100
f/16 @ 1/50s
On a tripod, on my creaky knees
Processed in Lightroom and Color Efex Pro
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
IMO, you made the best of the high-contrast light. The starburst is a nice touch, as are the brightly backlit grasses. I like the diagonal comp and how it makes my eye flow through the frame from the ULC to the LRC.
I look forward to seeing your future takes on this scene!
Bret, I agree that you used the circumstances well. I like the long diagonal view up the frame from the grass to the sunstar and arch. You’ve got good detail in the shadows. I’m intrigued by how massive the top of the arch is. My one though is, could you get a bit higher to the left for a bit more separation between the grass and the arch?
Hi Bret,
I agree with the previous posts, you’ve used the light to your advantage here.
I mean, to me, the desert is bright and full of contrast, you’re often blinded by big blue sky and bright sun, so this is just what it’s like. I am also a sucker for a good sunburst, esp around red rock. You’ve done a good job with the bush in the foreground and the compositional direction across the frame to the sunburst. Also worked with the high contrast well, there’s nothing blocked or blown, it just gives that desert feeling.
Thanks, @Mark_Seaver. That’s a good suggestion. I did have plenty of room to work to the right side of the grass. I’ll play around with that idea next time I visit the arch. I’d also like to get a little higher and perhaps farther back to show more sky through the arch, but that would require better light.
@JulieEdwardsViola I appreciate your thoughts on my image, Julie. You have a valid point about the desert being a place of high contrast. I hadn’t considered that as it relates to this image.
I’m very tempted to convert this to black and white, too. Sometimes mid-day light makes better b&w images than lower light, and it might work well here. If I do I’ll post it up for comparison.
Hello Bret. I think you’ve handled the light very well here. I like the diagonal flow of the composition and the very nice sunstar. Having never been to this location and totally unfamiliar with the terrain, my totally uninformed suggestion would be to shoot from a higher vantage point to show more sky and open up the arch a little more.
Hi Bret,
You certainly handled this midday light beautifully and the sunstar is fantastic. I love the backstory you provided with this image as well as the name you and your wife, along with your friends unanimously decided upon. Looking forward to seeing what you can come away with under better lighting conditions. While I quite like this as is I can see a tighter more intimate crop that emphasizes that lovely arch and sunstar a bit more. Way to think outside the box.
Hi Bret - and by all means why wouldn’t you? Sure, I supposed you can hike for hours inthe dark for a sunrise/sunet light, but you were there when you were there and you did an excellent job in capturing a compelling composition and image.
Of course a matter of personal taste, but I could see bringing down the whites for a slightly less exposure - maybe 1/2 stop? But for sure, the exposure represents what you likely experienced.
I’m a bit undecided on the foreground bush. It’s almost as if you either A. had no choice given the terrain and the viewpoint you had, or B. wante that near/far composition with the obligatory foreground element. I do think it works, but if it were my wish, I would like more space right and bottom to have that lit bush more room and prominence. Minor pt. though.
Great perspective and feedback, @Lon_Overacker! I wasn’t really thinking near/far, I was just attracted to the beautiful backlighting. I shot the first few images a little farther to the right because it put more of the backlit grass against the shaded background but it also created a straight line between it and the arch. So, I moved left to give it a diagonal flow. Also, there really wasn’t much foreground material around. I was hoping for some interesting rocks but alas…nada. I think next time I’ll probably do something a little more simple to put more emphasis on the arch itself.
Thanks so much, @Ed_Lowe. My next time out to this arch I’m definitely going to experiment with more simple compositions, likely from farther back with a longer lens. Just need a colorful sky and a little glow light. Not asking too much, right?
I like the bottom rhs foreground triangle, to me, it echoes the lhs triangle of the arch and it’s supporting rocks. I think the blue sky is a bit boring, but for a first visit to a place with so much to offer, the photo is pretty good and it is tantalising to think of the possibilities. I struggle with the arch itself. The photo is directly into the sun and I would expect the arch itself to be darker, around the same as the rock wall supporting the arch. I would visit this place often.
Love the arch and the sunstar Bret! The foreground is nice too, but I’m in agreement about the empty sky taking up so much of the image. If there’s an options to avoid that, or some nice clouds to fill it with, that would be optimal.
You’ve done a good job with the bush in the foreground and the compositional direction across the frame to the sunburst. Also worked with the high contrast well, there’s nothing blocked or blown, it just gives that desert feeling.