What changed: Per suggestions, I opened up the shadows a little bit. I couldn’t do much as there is a lot of noise since the lava tube is pitch black even just a short distance from the skylight.
Added after receiving feedback from the community.
The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic + Technical
About This Image
This is a lava tube in El Malpais National Monument. The lava tubes were created when flowing lava hardens at the surface when contacted by cooler air. A crust forms and the molten lava continues to like in a pipe. As the eruption slows or stops, the lava vacates the “pipe” and leaves an empty tunnel. Over time, the thin crust at the top can collapse in spots creating “skylights”. This one was about 3/4 of a mile from the entry to the lave tube . Once you leave the entrance it is of course pitch black, but the tubes in El Malpais contain artifacts from Native Americans who previously explored the tubes. Archaeologists have numbered the artifacts and left many in their place, these include bones, pottery and other artifacts. It’s an interesting experience to be in the total darkness and quiet and then round a curve in the tube and all of a sudden see light. This is a small skylight, about 10 feet in diameter with dust coming in from the skylight from a dust storm rolling through the area. The mound of rocks are from the partially collapsed ceiling of the lava tube.
Feedback Requested
I’d appreciate any thoughts on composition or any critiques someone may have, thank you!
Technical Details
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40L @31 mm, f/16, 30 sec., ISO 100, tripod. B&W processed in Silver Efex Pro
Scott, the lighting is amazing. That very strong (dusty) beam shows up well, while the rock pile tells us what happened. It looks like you have some subtle details in the ark parts of the frame. I wonder how brightening them slightly would work. (Brighten up the darks, but not the blacks for a more frame filling view.)
Hi Scott, this photo is a great example of using negative space, drawing attention to the tunnel and emphasizing the tight space. The light forms an interesting shape with lots of texture. The strong vertical line towards the middle of the frame is a bit distracting.
Quite a striking image. Without seeing the og ,the B&W processing I feel adds a lot of drama and intrigue. The only thing I might possibly suggest would be to open up the shadows just a very small amount to further accentuate the arch.
This is very dramatic and definitely fits the theme, Scott. I like the suggestion by @Mark_Seaver as demonstrated by @Michael_Lowe on lifting the shadows just a bit. It made more of a difference than I would have anticipated and really draws the viewer into the image. It’s a trick I’ll have to try to remember.
Thank you everybody for your comments and suggestion. I posted a revision with the shadows around the opening lightened up a little bit. I couldn’t go too much farther as I had already brightened that a bit on my original post. Anything more gets way too noisy.
@Mark_Seaver Thanks Mark , I reposted as noted above.
@alice I am not sure what vertical line you are referring to. The only thing I can think of is you are referring to the light beam coming from the collapsed ceiling opening.
@Michael_Lowe Thanks for posting your suggestion on the shadows. Unfortunately, when viewed at full size that amount it is way too noisy. I had already brightened that area on my original post. The lava tube, even just a short distance from the opening is totally black.
Scott: What a marvelous scene. The spotlight reminds me of what we see in slot canyons but this is more mysterious. Well seen, captured and presented. >=))>
