The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
A few weeks ago I wandered up to Canyonlands on a stormy day, hoping to find and chase storm light throughout the park. I couldn’t have asked for better conditions. I’ve shot the view from this unmarked overlook multiple times but these were the best conditions yet. I’ve taken dozens of workshop clients to this spot, too. I almost didn’t stop because I had my sights set on other locations but I remember something I was told by a professional photographer I looked up to well over 20 years ago. He said “Never pass up a sure thing for a maybe thing” or something to that effect. This was a sure thing. The other spot…who knows. So, I stopped and this is the result. As it turns out, the light at the other locations was just as good so on this day, I hit the jackpot!
Specific Feedback
Rarely do I ever center a horizon but it seemed to work for this image. Does it bother you? Any other thoughts or comments are welcome.
Technical Details
Sony A7IV (handheld)
Sony 24-105 @ 105
ISO 200
1/200s @ f/8
Lightroom/Photoshop
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
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Composition:
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Bret, yes hitting the “jackpot” works for me. This gave me a fond recall of this location from years ago now. Not near as wonderful as your scene here. The distance looks like maybe some virga taking place back there…
Indeed, there was virga. I always get excited to see and photograph it, for some reason. It’s not particularly uncommon yet it’s still such a neat thing to see.
I just love the desert. I live so close, yet…so far away. If only I didn’t have to work, but then I couldn’t afford trips to the desert.
Anyway, I think the centered horizon works because you do need to include as much sky as you did here. And your lead in formation from the lower right corner is perfectly in place, so there’s no room to cut on the bottom, either. Honestly I wouldn’t have noticed that the horizon was centered if you hadn’t mentioned it.
I think it also works because the area of interest, where the slice of light is, is not in the center. You can still kind of do some division by thirds in this image; my eyes aren’t going to the horizon and sitting there.
So I think it’s great! Good idea to stop and not pass by this desert scene. The spot lights and virga are just so perfect.
This is a joy to let the eye wander through Bret. There are a lot of different elements, but the ribbon of light on the valley floor ties them all together in a wonderful way. I love the sky; it has a subtle impact that is both interesting on its own, yet compliments the beauty below.
I don’t have any nits on this one, just enjoying it.
Hi Bret,
Well, I for one am glad you decided to put the brakes on and stop because this is gorgeous. The light is magical and I am loving the the combination of warm and cool tones in this desert landscape. Lots of drama to savor in the sky as well. The centered horizon does not bother me at all. Looking forward to seeing the other images you captured that day.
Simply gorgeous, Bret. I was just there about 7 weeks ago and got stunning light and stormy skies on my trip as well. I wonder if we were there at the same time. My trip was the first week of October. I too would not have noticed the 50/50 distribution had you not mentioned it. Most of the interest in the bottom half is well below the half way mark so it really doesn’t feel like a 50/50 image. You have a wonderful and dramatic sky with some rain falling in the distance although I would like to see more of the dark clouds at the top of the frame as they feel just a little bit cut off. The pano looks great as well. It includes all of the interesting buttes in the background which add to the image. The colors look great and the splash of light running down the middle of the image left to right showcases all of those background buttes well.
Yep, you definitely hit the jackpot on this day and good of you to pull off the road at a location that gave you a sure thing. I know from experience, it’s really hard to do but I’ve also learned to take what you’re given and be thankful for what you got. Happy Thanksgiving, Bret!
Bret, this looks great. What a fine mix of light, cloud, scenery and virga. (I too love to watch and photograph virga.) I think your horizon across the middle works well because the image is nicely balance top to bottom, with the dark clouds along the top and the shadowed with strongly red strip along the bottom “capped” by Candlestick Tower. Then you’ve got the buttes in the mid-ground and the distant wall.
