The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Yesterday my wife and I ran up to Canyonlands to explore a couple areas that for some reason or another, we’ve never really wandered around. On our way out of the park I saw some clouds rolling in about an hour before sunset. Of course, I suggested we stop at an overlook…just in case. Unfortunately, the sky above Shafer Canyon never truly exploded like the sky at my back but the conditions were quite nice, nonetheless. I’ve photographed this canyon a number of times but hadn’t scrambled up to this little perch before. It’s not for the faint of heart as there are dropoffs in every direction of at least several hundred feet. Now that I know what’s here I’ll definitely go back in better conditions.
Specific Feedback
This image was made in the afterglow of sunset, with no direct light on the landscape. I often use this type of light in Canyon Country because of it’s soft, low contrast quality but I understand that not everyone appreciates it. I’m curious if it works for you in this example.
Technical Details
Sony A7IV
Sony 24-105mm lens at 24mm
ISO 100
1s @ f/13
Processed in Lightroom & finished in Color Efex Pro
My wife directing traffic to ensure I didn’t step off a cliff
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Beautiful photo. Great composition from a stunning viewpoint. I worked on this a little and created a slightly different look, totally a subjective change. I darkened the foreground rock a little (because it is lighter than the rest of the photo it keeps the eyes’s attention on the bottom), increased the overall black point to add just a little “pop”, and slightly lightened the center of the photo to draw the eye to the distant area just below the sky and La Sal mountains.
I feel that the subtle, soft glow of light on the rocks is very nice, and I love the combination of the warm colours on the landscape with the cool colours in the sky. I’m sure this would also look awesome with a fiery sky, but I like this quieter version too. This looks like a great vantage point and even though getting where was sketchy I dare to say it was worth it – you have a great foreground with a lot of texture and the mountains in the background are perfectly framed by the canyon walls, and (obviously) the line of the road really guides my eyes effortlessly through the image. I honestly don’t feel there is anything here I would change.
Thank you, Tony. I struggled a bit with the foreground rocks because they are much lighter than the red rock of the canyon, and I like how the contrast but I do see your point. I definitely like the subtle improvement lightening the center of the image provides, though.
Thanks, Tom. I’m definitely going back. I’d like to try it at sunrise with a sunburst on the horizon, and that warm light filling the canyon below. Hmmm, maybe tomorrow…
Hey Bret, My wife and I would LOVE to be able to just run to Canyonlands on a whim. Lucky you. What a great viewpoint and the fact that you’ve never been before is great. If it’s that close I’d wander by from time to time to see what mother nature dishes out for you. this was lovely. These days in my older age, I almost prefer the subtle nuances of a less explosive sky color. I think your sky is gorgeous. I’m more into soft pinks, magentas, blues and oranges than the really explosive red, orange and yellows. Maybe because too often those skies are all about the sky and less about the actual subject which I find disappointing.
Anyway, enough on skies. The warm touch of light on the rims of the far canyon walls is terrific and that road leading the eye through the scene is splendid. Next time I would get just a little bit lower to remove the nub coming out just to the left of the where the road starts and even better, try and line up the road to come out of the crack in the foreground by moving just a little tiny bit to the right (so long as you don’t fall of a cliff). I do like the revision that @Tony_Siciliano created but I also really like your subtle and softer version too so maybe somewhere in between.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, @David_Haynes. That nub on the left didn’t bother me until you mentioned it and now I can’t NOT notice it! Great idea to shoot from a lower perspective, which I will try next time I’m up there. I also like the idea of trying to compose this so that the road emanates from the crack in the rocks. Not sure it’ll work but I’m definitely going to give it a try!
Wait, Nub??? What Nub? Dang it. Sorry about that Bret. Now I hate that I mentioned it.
If you go again just don’t fall off the cliff trying to get that road in the crack.
No, don’t be sorry! I’m glad you noticed it because next time, it will not be in my composition! I’ve got a few feet to work with up there so I probably won’t step backward off a cliff.
Lucky you. What a great viewpoint and the fact that you’ve never been before is great. If it’s that close I’d wander by from time to time to see what mother nature dishes out for you. this was lovely. These days in my older age, I almost prefer the subtle nuances of a less explosive sky color. I think your sky is gorgeous. I’m more into soft pinks, magentas, blues and oranges than the really explosive red, orange and yellows. Maybe because too often those skies are all about the sky and less about the actual subject which I find disappointing.