Steptoe, WA from Steptoe Butte at Sunset Monochrome
Critique Style Requested:Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
One of the sunny exposures from our afternoon on Steptoe Butte in the Palouse region of southeast Washington. We had great light before the thunderstorm rolled in. This was shot on Memorial Day weekend in 2019. There are so may wonderful scenes available from this location. It takes a bit of discipline not to shoot thousands of frames as the light goes on forever in the spring.
Specific Feedback
I’m wondering if I should continue with the color or the monochrome image mostly. Any other comments are, of course, also welcome.
Technical Details
Canon 5DsR, EF 100-400 II + EF 1.4X III @ 280mm, f/8 @ 1/400, EC -3.33, ISO 100, tripod mounted. This is an HDR composite for the B&W, dark frame only processed in Dx0 PL9 for color, ACR, and Photoshop CC.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
Emotional Impact and Mood:
Composition:
Balance and Visual Weight:
Depth and Dimension:
Color:
Lighting:
Processing:
Technical:
Fred: Wonderful light and a terrific capture. I lived in Spokane from 1978-81 and drove through the Palouse many times but that was in my pre-photography days so I missed the opportunities. I do rue that loss and hope to get back there someday camera in hand. In the meantime I’ll have to be content with enjoying your efforts which are indeed marvelous. >=))>
Hi Fred,
I’m liking the color image this time. It’s naturally saturated and has a lot of variation (the greens and purples, etc.) That said, the monochrome is very nice as well. It’s a twofer this time!
I’ve only been to the Palouse twice, but the first time, I found some of the best compositions happened mid-day when the shadows on the fields were not from low angle lighting but rather from overhead clouds drifting across the vast landscape. The second time, there was smoke and it diffused the light, creating an unfortunate flat effect. Next time I go, I’ll still get up early and stay out late, but if the big puffy clouds are happening, I’ll be doing lots of mid-day shooting.
ML
Hi Fred,
I am very much liking both versions of this scene. As @Marylynne_Diggs already mentioned you have a twofer this time. The color palette is quite nice in the color version as is the range of tones in the B&W one and those gently rolling hills are wonderful. Very nicely done; no suggestions from me.
Wonderful image and great light! If it were me I would continue with the color version. I like the bottom two thirds of the B&W, but the upper third in shadow doesn’t hold as much interest and is kind of muddled to my eye. The same area in the color version shows more detail and the colors are quite nice. I also just like the warm colors. Very nice composition as well.
While both images are excellent, I prefer the B/W.
Note that Steptoe has been closed for long awaited and necessary road improvements. It is hoped it will open Jan. 9, but that is not a given. When reopened, the road will be a vast improvement over the giant potholes and other dangers that were becoming almost impossible to avoid. The downside is it will probably draw a much larger number of visitors.
First off, Fred, both images are very captivating. There is a richness to the color version that speaks to me, maybe because of the muted color tones and the contrast that just work for me. So if I had to pick one it would definitely be the color version but I’m enjoying the buildings that stand out in the black and white version.
I absolutely love the very distinct horizontal shafts of light going through the scene which is mostly what makes this scene so contrasty. Those dark and then light and then dark and light again are superb. You really had great light to work with. I’m seeing what looks like warm soft light at the top of the image and I’m wondering what a version with sky included would look like since you had storm clouds moving in.
I hope to get to Palouse one day and this image is certainly inspiration for me to do so sooner rather than later. Thanks for that, Fred. Beautiful image.
To all who so graciously commented, thank you. This scenic sequence was shot when there was a great deal of smoky haze from wildfires in the Pacific Northwest. The earlier photograph of the extremely colorful storm clouds make more sense when you are aware of that. @David_Haynes mentioned the soft warm light at the top of the image. He also wondered about the sky. The smoky haze greatly affected the light and eliminated a normal blue sky above the horizon. I am attaching a frame taken tilted up and panned to the left just a bit earlier. The light was changing fast because of the storm coming into the area. The direct but smoky light was fading and it was becoming overcast very quickly. This extra sample image may fall under the heading of “some things are better left unseen,” but it was an interesting day to say the least.
That is quite a beautiful image Fred. I’ve heard of the Palouse and always wondered why it was a photography destination, so now you’ve amply demonstrated that. I prefer the color image with the golden light, but the B&W may make a good crop showing just the dunes with the light and shadow.
