Boulder variations

Cornflake

Criticism is always welcome.

1



2



3

Stumblebum

Even if light might be better in #2 as well as the exposure, I will still buy #3 clap

Cornflake

Thanks!

anwmn1

Don- these are great. I really like the colors and tones in the first one. Little nit pick on that one is the composition- wish more of the rock as visible in the lower left. Could have been better cut higher off too.

#3 is also really nice. I think you can add a little more color and contrast to it to make it pop though.

BTW- this out near Four Peaks area?

Cornflake

Aaron, thanks! I appreciate the comments. These were taken on the Agua Fria National Monument, not too far from Cordes Junction.

I think you're probably right in your comments about the composition in that one.

As for color and contrast in number 3...More quickly than most people, I've learned, I reach the point where any more saturation or contrast make me quit believing the image. If I don't believe it, I don't like it. Apparently I'm destined to produce photos that a lot of people think could use more contrast and saturation.

anwmn1

Cornflake wrote: »

Aaron, thanks! I appreciate the comments. These were taken on the Agua Fria National Monument, not too far from Cordes Junction.

I think you're probably right in your comments about the composition in that one.

As for color and contrast in number 3...More quickly than most people, I've learned, I reach the point where any more saturation or contrast make me quit believing the image. If I don't believe it, I don't like it. Apparently I'm destined to produce photos that a lot of people think could use more contrast and saturation.

Ahh... okay. I haven't spent much time in Agua Fria NM. Just know of similar boulder fields in a couple other parts of the state.

I fully support your position on your images. For me the sky just needs a bit more to balance the light you have on the rock and it is a little flat compared to the first image.

Cornflake

I took your remark to refer to global contrast. I think you're right about the sky, and I'll fix that. Thanks!

PS: I don't know if this is what you had in mind, Aaron, but I think it's an improvement.

kdog

Beautiful, Don. Love the subtle tones in these shots.

Eia

I rather like the first then you put up the last one! Really like that! Gotta love boulders!

Cornflake

Joel, Eia, thanks very much. I do love boulders.

anwmn1

Cornflake wrote: »

I took your remark to refer to global contrast. I think you're right about the sky, and I'll fix that. Thanks!

PS: I don't know if this is what you had in mind, Aaron, but I think it's an improvement.

Don, I agree that it is an improvement without going crazy.

Stumblebum

Cornflake wrote: »

I took your remark to refer to global contrast. I think you're right about the sky, and I'll fix that. Thanks!

PS: I don't know if this is what you had in mind, Aaron, but I think it's an improvement.

Don, can you please say what was modified? In the past when I have pointed light of source, some details get lost but here it definitely got better. I am hoping to have another piece of knowledge in my back pocket!

Cornflake

Stumblebum, I don't remember every detail, but the main change was to lighten most of the sky, particularly the upper left, and increase the contrast in the sky to varying degrees. I think I used a combination of Lightroom gradients and Color Efex Pro.

bristlecone

I love this Don. The final image my favorite. Great composition & lighting.
-Len

Cornflake

Len, thanks very much. I'm a fan of your work.