Morning Light on the Mittens

anonymouscuban

Another photo from my recent trip through Utah and Arizona. It was my first time in Monument Valley. Fell in love with the place. I can see how one could spend an entire lifetime photographing this area if they had full access to it. It's beautiful.

This is a photo I made during sunrise. I woke up before first light and hiked out from our campsite at The View Campgrounds. I hiked about a mile into the park. I am not 100% sure I was supposed to be where I was without a guide but I figured it was worth the risk and I didn't know for sure. A few Navajo saw me but didn't say anything so maybe I was OK.

It was pretty cool to be out there all alone, or so I thought. After I found my spot, I setup and waited. I turned around to find a black dog laying about 5 feet behind me. I had seen him the night before with another dog around our campground. He must have followed me in. He was friendly. He kept me company and escorted me out. I gave him some left over french fries back at camp.

This is the same photo, just different crops. Not sure which I prefer. The first is framed as I shot it. The other two are post-crops.

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Stumblebum

This is lovely capture Alex, worth the effort and sweet story!
I have not been to this spot as once I was there I hurt my leg.....
Generally this is a night spot....
If I had to pick one comp, I would take FIRST comp....
If I could order one...it would have bottom of #3 and top of #1.
Best light is in top right corner........rest is bit meh.....so one way to make it dramatic is to darken the 'meh' and kick up highlight in that area.......so focus is on best and brightest light....it will also create directionality
Also the rocks should be picking up some glow.....on right side....bit darker on left side....I would try to find a way to highlight that.....create some contrast and something for eye to investigate!

anonymouscuban

Here is another take on the first image I posted above. Went a little heavier with the edit. Hopefully not too heavy handed though. Also a slightly different crop that the other versions I posted.

And this is the same composition but just a few minutes later, after the sun crested the horizon.

Stumblebum

Great Alex! Just right! You can now combine the first reworked with last one.....the sun star and slightly blown out horizon....soft brush it in....or lighten blend.....Also the sun light hitting the golden bushes should light them up maybe more clarity to bring out the beams more.....just the sun star portion of second one is attractive and light horizon....super yellow and dark doesn't work as well usually....

Some people would say they like original more......

They would be wrong.

kdog

This, definitely.

Qarik

OOOhhhh..Ahhhhh! Sky is verging on too much on last edits but very lovely comps and colors!