Greetings folks. I’ve been a bit absent as of late with a few things going on, some vacation and business trips. I recently got the chance to go to Colorado Springs. Oh my, for those living and familiar with the area - I love it! this time of year, the summer grasses were all green and the afternoon thunder and lightning were spectacular.
I debated bringing camera and tripod. Given that I didn’t have much time on either end, I opted to leave the gear at home. Big Mistake. My hotel was like 6 miles from the Garden of the Gods and less than an hour from Pikes Peak - Oh, and the Gorge and numerous other places. Grrrr. My time was limited however and I spent just about an hour on the loop of the Garden of the Gods. Very impressed with the Park - including the Visitor’s Center.
So, I was faced with a challenge to see what I could do with my measly Galaxy S7. Technical qualities aside, I thought this was my best cell phone capture from my short visit.
Plus, I ran low on any recent dslr images and don’t expect anything new for at least a week or more… so I wanted to post something just to stay connected…
You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques.
What technical feedback would you like if any?
Technical feedback mostly not needed given the inadequacies of the cell phone. AND this is quite cruchy… not sure how best to sharpen such low rez images. Hopefully not too bad.
What artistic feedback would you like if any?
I summoned my inner TK and attempted to squeeze out some color. I used a LAB Color layer at nearly 100% opacity to boost/enhance the colors - although hopefully not too brazen.
Pertinent technical details or techniques:
(If this is a composite, etc. please be honest with your techniques to help others learn)
Samsung Galaxy S7 - (like only an iPhone could do better…)
One side note. Very hard to detect in this image, but this rock was was literally covered with graffiti - well, in the form of carvings of initials in the rock. Fortunately it wasn’t glaringly visible just viewing the scene and I didn’t notice until zooming in on the computer. I just don’t get why people feel the need to leave their mark… sad
Nice to have you back…sorry about the lack of gear on this trip. I have had a similar experience but it’s hard to justify hauling the gear in some cases. The range of colors you squeezed out of this are really very nice. I also like how you presented the flow of colors across the scene. This is really a nice abstract considering the constraints.
I like the textures and especially the color palette. There’s a lot of variability in color here. Yet none of it is outrageous. There seems to be a cyan/yellow color cast in the upper right and a magenta blue in the lower left. Not sure if this was intentionally processed in this manner. I think I’d prefer to see it consistent throughout.
I like the small plant though. Maybe I’d raise it’s luminosity to say “Hey, I’m here”.
Lon,
Bummer about not taking the real camera, but you made a wonderful abstract image with the next best thing. This has a lovely range of subdued color which I find very appealing and I think the diagonals in the rock face has provided a nice sense of motion to the scene. I can not detect the graffiti. Some people are just to self absorbed with themselves that they have to leave their mark.
Thanks Igor. Not really, the LAB color layer was applied globally. The only targeted thing I did was some burning to tone down the brighter rocks. and thanks for noticing the plant. I actually did target that with some brightness/saturation, but it’s so small and the resolution so poor, it goes wonky quick. But glad it was noticed as it was included in a “rule of thirds” sort of fashion.
Maybe I’ll return here one day with a better camera.
Lon, welcome back! You know what they say about “the best camera…” But having said that, I think this is quite pretty texturally but I find my eyes wandering around. Perhaps because I could not get the perception of depth from this but I do enjoy seeing the colors you have squeezed out here.
Lon, this is a great, stone abstract. Nice job pulling “something from nothing”, without your usual gear. I think this looks great, with an outstanding collection of subtle colors and movements. I’d like to see more contrast, but that might let the graffitti show…
You left your equipment at home??? Sounds like a little “stand in the corner” time is due for you! Beautiful phone shot though, even if it is kind of tiny. The variety of colors hit me first, quickly followed by the textures/cracks/lines and how they flow, etc. You know I love rockscapes so I was immediately hooked but what really sells this for me is the little clump of grass in the lower left as it gives the entire scene context and scale. All in all, a beautiful capture that leaves me wanting more (and BIGGER). Well seen and executed, Lon.
