a Path, a Desert, a Distant Rainbow...

Eia

There were three small rainbows in three different directions in the far distance. It was a kind of weird lighting, weird views, and I have two shots; one with a darker foreground, another with a brighter foreground. Suggestions are welcome....

thapamd

Of the two, I really prefer the 2nd shot. The contrast on the lower half is much better, IMO. I only have two small nits: 1. The road is a bit too centrally placed. If I had to, I'd crop predominantly from the right and perhaps make it into a square format with the road originating at the lower right corner. 2. The very bright part of the overhead cloud looks a bit blown out. I wonder if you can recover any detail there?

As I mentioned, these are small nits...personal preference really. Great job!

rwells

My suggestion:

Take more shots like this

anwmn1

Looks like a nice trail- is it drivable or limited to non motorized?


I agree with Mahesh. I would bring the right side in to the cactus to the right of the road. This will put the diagonal of the road right in the bottom right of the frame and create a leading line to the center of the image where all the good stuff is.

Nyte

I prefer the second version and love the sense of depth; it's as though you could dive into the picture between the layers formed by the clouds and land. That's probably a rather clumsy way of expressing what I'm attempting to, but in mitigation it's 2.30 am and way past my bedtime!

Eia

thapamd wrote:

Of the two, I really prefer the 2nd shot. The contrast on the lower half is much better, IMO. I only have two small nits: 1. The road is a bit too centrally placed. If I had to, I'd crop predominantly from the right and perhaps make it into a square format with the road originating at the lower right corner. 2. The very bright part of the overhead cloud looks a bit blown out. I wonder if you can recover any detail there?

As I mentioned, these are small nits...personal preference really. Great job!

Thank you for your suggestion. I too prefer the second. I didn't take a filter for the lens...andwished I had; it probably would have helped with exposure for foreground and not having to worry so much about the sky. I will try the crop.

Eia

rwells wrote:

My suggestion:

Take more shots like this

As soon as the weather permits I hope too! Thanks for your edifying words!

Eia

anwmn1 wrote:

Looks like a nice trail- is it drivable or limited to non motorized?


I agree with Mahesh. I would bring the right side in to the cactus to the right of the road. This will put the diagonal of the road right in the bottom right of the frame and create a leading line to the center of the image where all the good stuff is.

Only quads, bikes and feet. We actually scared up a doe and lots of coveys of quail! Yep, will try the crop!

Eia

Nyte wrote:

I prefer the second version and love the sense of depth; it's as though you could dive into the picture between the layers formed by the clouds and land. That's probably a rather clumsy way of expressing what I'm attempting to, but in mitigation it's 2.30 am and way past my bedtime!

Thank you for your kind and not so clumsy words. I felt like I could have flown to the end of the trail...if it were not so hot!

Dripfaucet

i prefer the richness of the foreground in the second shot.

cabbey

The contrast in the foreground on the second shot really emphasizes the vibrance of the green leaves and the muddy feel of the clay... just like I would expect it after a rain shower passed through. I can smell the wet mesquite and sage. Very well done.

Marcy

where are you in AZ - I winter in Mesa - love your locations shots - maybe we can get together for some shoots this fall and winter

redleash

Definitely prefer #2. I agree with the crop suggestion--think it would look better with some of the right side removed. Of all the posts in this thread, Randy has given you the best advice: Keep shooting this!

Lauren

wfeller

Yo. Awesome! I'll leave the crit to others- just wanted to say.

-

Marc Muench

ront

Eia, the second photo is stunning. I love it!!

Ron

christinamae

Stunning! I love the rainbow and clouds! Thanks for sharing with us!

Eia

Thanks all for the kudos! #2 it is!

Eia

Cropped version:

redleash

thapamd

from me too on the cropped version!

dseidman

Both are great but I prefer the second because of the foreground.
You got some great clouds and the rainbow is a nice little touch.

Lasting Light

The second version works much better. It is beautiful scenery, with the rainbow adding the touch of magic to make it different from many others. I might be tempted to crop down from the top, taking out the bright area of the sky and thereby concentrating on the detail and colour in the scene.

Eia

Lasting Light wrote:

The second version works much better. It is beautiful scenery, with the rainbow adding the touch of magic to make it different from many others. I might be tempted to crop down from the top, taking out the bright area of the sky and thereby concentrating on the detail and colour in the scene.

Thanks for your suggestion. We really do have great light. I enjoy the learning process trying to capture it.