I went back through my original edits and discovered that the Dehaze slider which should have been zero was cranked way up resulting in the serious vignetting of the original post. I reset and reprocessed the image resulting in more even tones in the sky.
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
On a recent visit to Death Valley I decided to check out the Kit Fox Hills to see if it had potential for including in my March workshop. These hills are located along Scottys Castle Road just north of the intersection with Daylight Pass Road. The moon was setting as I arrived just after sunrise.
Specific Feedback
Any and all critique welcome.
Specifically, is the vignetting in the sky too much?
Technical Details
Canon R5 with RF 24-105
1/200 sec., f/10, ISO 100
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Hi Paul,
As @Ralf_Mantzel already mentioned, this does have an Ansel Adams vibe to it. The diagonal ridgelines work quite well here as does the setting moon. For my personal tastes the vignette is too strong. This location does look like it has potential for your workshop. Really nice image.
The flow of lines on the hill is very nice, and overall this makes a strong black and white. I think the moon adds a lot to the image, and it would be quite different without it (in a negative way).
I struggle with the asymmetry more than the amount. On the left, it seems to creep into the moon some. You might lighten it in that area to keep the moon as bright as possible.
Hi Paul,
It’s a lovely image, and it does echo Adams Moonrise Over Hernandez NM, but it’s more appealing than that. Just don’t go getting a big head over my compliment!
I agree with John on the vignette.
As a workshop participant, not leader, I have mixed feelings about this as a location for a group:
Pros:
Less crowded than Zabriskie Point and Mesquite Sand Dunes
Opportunity for some interesting night photography
Cons:
The appeal of the location may be highly dependent on conditions. How would this look at sunrise? sunset? an overcast day (DV does have those). A night with a crescent moon?
What would this location replace? Ube Hebe Crater? Go for it? Zabriskie or Sand Dunes (Mesquite or Ibex)? No. Hit the icons because they have a million shifting compositions in all light.
Thank you all for your input. I am interested to hear what you have to say about the repost. @Marylynne_Diggs@Ralf_Mantzel@Ed_Lowe - Thank you for the Adams comparison. It is a compliment to hear that there is some West Coast Photography influence expressed in my work. Although I grew up admiring the work of Adams, Weston and others, my career as a scientific, technical and underwater photographer took me down some decidedly different paths,
Don’t worry, Marylynne, I won’t let it go to my head. For a workshop location my thoughts were that under the right conditions this might make a good stop on the way to or from Titus Canyon and Ubehebe Crater. As you noted the conditions can be varied and changing so it is always good to remain flexible and have options when leading a group.
Paul, there is an inimitable tension in your composition for me that keeps my attention. Vignette may be strong, but is is creative freedom in my opinion, and it helps to match tonality between top and bottom. Thanks for sharing.
