UPDATED
I finally got some time today to update this scene with the suggested ideas. I upped the shadow exposure slightly, cleaned some debris in the LRHC and added some slight space to the LH side.
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Just one of the many free standing rock formations in and around the Hidden Valley area of JTNP.
Photographed during a spring sunrise.
btw: not sure the name I used fits the reality of actually “bouncing” off after the leap here…8>)
Specific Feedback
ANY
Technical Details
Wista DXIII 4x5 - Schneider APO 120mm - Ektachrome 100.
Critique Template
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You are the master of bluebird skies! It looks great. Nice detail and light here.
A couple minor items, though. See if you can pull any detail out of the very dense shadows, especially the bushes on the LHS and under the tree on the right. Also, you might want to clone those little blobs in the LRC.
The sunrise glow on the rocks is very nice, and your composition, as always, is first rate. Nicely done, sir!
-P
This is yet another really interesting group of unique rocks.
You have to be THE best geographic authority available on JTNP.
I wonder where the names of these rock formations originated.
Granite Bounce House is very unique, I’m curious how they arrived at that name.
This one has a couple sections on the left that appear to be partial skeletal remains, skull maybe?
The golden light on nearly all of your photos is part of your signature for sure.
Your talent for perfect compositions on these rock formations is stellar as always!
Gorgeous early morning light, Paul. The gradations in the sky are lovely. And the golden light bouncing off the sides of the boulders is pure magic.
I agree with @Preston_Birdwell regarding the deepest blacks in the image. Maybe just soften those up just a little bit if you can. The composition, not withstanding that little bush in the bottom left corner, is first rate. I’ve always found it a bit challenging to photograph JTNP but you never cease to amaze me with your captures there. This is yet another example. Beautiful work, Paul.
What a treat to see as always. Not only is the light just magical, the formation is otherworldly. I don’t mind the high level of contrast because film works that way and it has its own specific look that I really miss and appreciate. There’s also something wonderful about the optics here and some of the compression and upright angularity of the formation. Another western winner.
What a wonderful photograph. I love the detail and the crispness of it. Its as if I am standing in front of the actual scene, it almost ahs a 3D quality to it. The light is perfect and you nailed exposure. I can see Preston’s points about the darkest shadows, but I could live with them as they are.
Paul: I could tell this was yours from the thumbnail. Wonderful formation in marvelous light. I rarely used Ektachrome in the film days but I remember it was easier to get processed than Kodachrome. Once I discovered Velvia and then Provia and Astia I never went back to Kodak. Seems like a long time ago. Beautifully crafted image. >=))>
@Preston_Birdwell@Merv@David_Haynes@Kris_Smith@Youssef_Ismail@Bill_Fach …thank you each for your reviews and comments on this rock / boulder formation in JTNP. There are about 3 similar stand alone structures in this general area that I’ve photographed over time. One was during the monsoonal season, which is starting up again, and it was published a year or so back in a local magazine. @Preston_Birdwell@David_Haynes I will take another look at my shadow detail for sure. I usually set the deepest point at 15 to 20. Anything beyond that my old eyes start losing the Contrast depth. David, you’re correct on the general challenges of photographing in the park. I hear that often from other photogs so we’re not alone on that aspect of the area. @Merv that name was just something I tagged the scene with and I’m not sure at all if there is a proper name for it. After all the years of naming “rock” formations I’m at a loss… @Kris_Smith your point well taken on the contrast with film and the lack of highlight & shadow latitudes. Very challenging at times. @Youssef_Ismail good observation on the 3D view. Hard for me to see or detect it as I’ve had a damaged eye my whole life. But this one had some good viewing depth for me too. @Bill_Fach oh yes, the film history we’ve all seen and recall that the present generation will not understand. Sadly, I had to give up on Velvia that I used for 30+ years as I could not obtain it in 4x5. Using both MF & LF I wanted to minimize the technical challenges of exposure, scanning, and post processing with the same product in both sizes. Hence the present day Ektachrome E-100.
It’s like a family portrait. The rocks are arranged as though they know one another intimately. Yes, they look like heads. They’re a sort of coziness about the whole thing.
@Mozzam_Hosein@Igor_Doncov thank you for your interest and thoughts on this scene.
Igor, I did not see the point you bring up until seeing your comment. There truly is a gathering of some sort of a relationship there for sure.
Hi Paul,
You always do a masterful job of combining blue bird skies with some amazing rock formations bathed in this golden warm light and this image is no exception. The rock formations themselves are very unique looking, especially the one on the left. The bush in the LLC catches my eye a little, but it doesn’t appear that you could have done anything about it. Certainly not a deal breaker as this a wonderfully crafted desert scene.
@Ed_Lowe I appreciate your review and comments on this a bit unique rock formation. I do agree on the bush in the LLC and will review it further. Although, as things go I actually looked back and have a more of a horizontal take with the same camera and film months earlier without it in the scene. Slightly different POV. @Igor_Doncov I like that space idea too. Now I’m wrestling with two images I have a few months apart and one more vertical or square and the other horizontal and even more rocks “siblings” to the right in the group…SIGH…LOL.
Paul, yes, this is another signature image by you from JTNP. It’s a great collection of rocks catching first light. The subtlety and warmth of the light lets this aged granite stand out, look like a great spot for some rock scrambling. I think this crop works because you’ve got the same small gap on the left and the right. The tree makes a good contrast, “softening” the feeling of the rocks.
Mark, as always, thank you for the review and thoughts on this scene. It will be a bit of time before I can mull over any changes previously mentioned as time is out of my reach presently. Too many items on the burner right now. Throw in the mix, the older I get the slower I go…
Love the luminosity of the blues against the orange hued stones working with rounded shapes namely the rocks and to a certain extent the bush really works very well in the square crop provided. I think I would like just a little bit of space on the left side of the frame but perhaps not quite as much as Igor’s extended crop. The image is cohesive and very well composed.
