The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
My wife and I first visited this area of Arches National Park in 2004, before we moved to Moab. For some reason, it took us over 20 years to go back but yesterday, we finally made it. Accessing this area requires a class III scramble up a boulder choked chute with a 400’ elevation gain. We had some decent light yesterday, but this spring (when it’s warmer) I’m scrambling back up to spend the night so I can shoot sunset and then sunrise the next day, hopefully under dramatic conditions.
Specific Feedback
This entire area is nothing but reddish orange sandstone. The only color contrasts are the sky and occasionally the desert varnish reflects the blue sky, but it makes for a very monochromatic scene. Is it TOO much sandstone to hold a viewer’s attention? Also, I know it looks like it’s leaning to the right but it is actually level. Some of the angles in the rock give the impression of a tilt.
Technical Details
Sony A7IV
Sony 24-105mm lens @ 24mm
ISO 100
1/400s @ f/5.6
Handheld
Processing in Lightroom and Photoshop
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Bret, no, the sandstone is not overwhelming or monochromatic. The big wash, with it’s swirls add contrasting texture to the vertical, varnished walls. This would also look great without the hiker. The texture in the sky complements the textures in the redrocks.
The pool adds nice interest and a good focal point for the eye. If there were more image captured along the bottom, I’d like to see what the composition looks like with that curving line of sandstone not cut off.
Hi Bret,
Not too much sandstone for me! I love the sweeping lines of the sandstone and the cool tones of the sky contrast perfectly with the warm tones of the rock. The pool of water is a wonderful focal point in the scene as well as the positioning of your wife. Good luck with your next venture to this location as it looks like great potential for some stunning photography.
@Mark_Seaver I appreciate your insight. Moab’s challenging sometimes because it can be a wash of all the same or similar colors, especially in a sandstone canyon like this.
@Ronald_Murphy Thanks so much. I agree! Unfortunately, this was as far as I could get the camera over the cliff without unnecessary risk. Ideally, a drone would give the perfect perspective but this is in a national park and you can’t fly drones. Appreciate the comment!
@Ed_Lowe Thank you! I’d love to get some storm spotlighting and skies during the day and then a big nuclear sunset to finish it off. We’ll see what nature provides!
Man, I’m tired just thinking about that scramble to the top of that chute. Well done to both you and your wife. I’ve always loved the colors of the southwest deserts and the colors here don’t disappoint. The layers of swirls are amazing particularly down by the that bowl of water. Using your wife provides a sense of scale for this image and the use of a red coat is wonderful against that orange rock. I was wondering if you have more canvas on the bottom of the frame because I find that sharp curve in the rock in the LLC where it exits the bottom of the frame to a distraction. I’m also wondering if you were able to crawl down to that pool of water and grab some reflection images??
I hope you don’t mind but this is what I came up with as potential crops. As always, if they’re not for you, just round file them.
Thanks for the alternate crops, @David_Haynes! I like both of them. I love that curve in the rock but wish there was a way for me to compose the photo to include all of it, rather than just that small section. I agree it’s a little distracting. Getting to that pothole would require a rappel but there is already an anchor in the rock so I may go back and rap down to it sometime. I’d have to jug back up to the top or continue down canyon to the exit, which would require another rappel. Might be worth it, though!
