Photo of the Week - #26 - 3/14/22

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I really like this deep canyon black and white landscape. It appears to be a vertical panorama that extends from horizontal to the zenith. Having the sun peak through the sky, which looks like a starfish to me, really helps accentuate this brightly sunlit scene, without blocking any shadows. The tonal range and composition are just right. I would guess that this photograph was taken in southern Utah?

I really like this deep canyon black and white landscape. It appears to be a vertical panorama that extends from horizontal to the zenith. Having the sun peak through the sky, which looks like a starfish to me, really helps accentuate this brightly sunlit scene, without blocking any shadows. The tonal range and composition are just right. I would guess that this photograph was taken in southern Utah?

 

Glenn, I agree wholeheartedly with your appraisal of the POTW. I wonder whether the photo was shot during either dawn or dusk, since the sunburst isn't as bright as one might expect.

Glenn, I agree wholeheartedly with your appraisal of the POTW. I wonder whether the photo was shot during either dawn or dusk, since the sunburst isn't as bright as one might expect.

 

Michael, it looks to me as if the sun is straight overhead. Any perceived darkening of the sunburst (which is necessarily blown out) is thanks due to some excellent processing. I suspect that this image required some relatively extreme adjustments of EV and Shadows. I love the end result, with plenty of detail in what must have been deep shadows inside the canyon. I'm a sucker for a good sun-star. This lens produced a very nice one, with lots of facets and sub-facets. The composition has a nice balanced feel, with the sun-star not centered.

 

I love it.

Excellent photo! I can't add anything that hasn't been said already. The two photographers I thought of right away have spoken already, so I'm really curious whose photo it is.

Wowza.

Super nice photo! I was guessing that this took some expertise in post processing, and the end result is fantastic. Love the vertical perspective and I, too, am all-in for the sun star! Credit to the photographer for sure - for the capture and PP work.

Maybe I'm overthinking it but would it be possible to get results like this (clarity, detail, tonal range, sharpness) on just any camera?

When do we credit the gear also?

Thanks for the comments! Yes this is from southern Utah, shot around noon with a 16mm f/2.8 Nikon fisheye on a Nikon D610 at f/10. There definitely was a moderate amount of shadow recovery since I exposed to preserve the sunstar, but the D610 handled the shadows pretty well and the shadows weren't as dark as one might expect.

I really like the 16mm Nikkor - it does have some color fringing on the edges, but I particularly like the sunstars it produces and it is a pretty compact little lens. However, any dust on the front surface will show up if the sun is anywhere in the frame when stopped down and I see looking at the photo, there is a sensor dust spot I missed.

To Ricochetrider's point I definitely give the gear a lot of credit here. I probably could have captured something similar blending >1 shots with my old Nikon D300 (neglecting resolution) but definitely not in a single shot.

Southern Utah is definitely one of my favorite places, even if I don't have a camera with me. On second thought I've never been to southern Utah without a camera...

Sensational shot.

 

I have sent a link to this page to many of my ex-students: amongst other elements, I think it is an excellent use of creative Lens Flare.

 

During the several years I was tutoring, Creative Lens Flare was a particular topic many of my High School students investigated and subsequently used in their Major Work for their Matriculation.

 

Seriously beautiful textures and tonal width. It's a winner and lovely to view. Congratulations.

 

WW

I'm a sucker for a good sun-star. This lens produced a very nice one, with lots of facets and sub-facets.

 

Copy that.

Can't add much to what's already been said, but I do think this it is a very clever eye to see and then photograph the interesting shape of the opening and sun star.

More contrast:)

I agree with all the comments so far. The structure of the rocks comes out great in B/W. I'd also (just out of curiosity) like to see the color version too. I keep wondering what color the rocks are: shades of grey or warm tints of brown/red/yellow. Or a combination.

Love a fisheye. Nothing like them when used "sensibly".

Michael, it looks to me as if the sun is straight overhead. Any perceived darkening of the sunburst (which is necessarily blown out) is thanks due to some excellent processing. I suspect that this image required some relatively extreme adjustments of EV and Shadows. I love the end result, with plenty of detail in what must have been deep shadows inside the canyon. I'm a sucker for a good sun-star. This lens produced a very nice one, with lots of facets and sub-facets. The composition has a nice balanced feel, with the sun-star not centered.

 

I love it.

 

My comment about the sunburst wasn’t based on a presupposition that it was the result of post work or not.

I agree with all the comments so far. The structure of the rocks comes out great in B/W. I'd also (just out of curiosity) like to see the color version too. I keep wondering what color the rocks are: shades of grey or warm tints of brown/red/yellow. Or a combination.

 

I think I prefer the BW version, although in person the colors of the rocks are astounding.

 

Oh Wow! I definitely prefer this color version! For me, it really brings the photo to life! I love the warm colors

You have also cleaned up some flaws in the the sky area of the b&w version.

My 15 minutes 'edit time' has elapsed so in addition

- my impression is that the 'color version' expresses as many tonal contrasts as the B/W version

- I wonder why you would choose to post a B/W version

Hmmm. While both are spectacular, I think I like the first (b&w) version better; I feel like there's more depth and tonal range and the textures stand out a lot more distinctly in black & white- everything just seems a lot more tangible. That being said, this is plenty colorful enough to do real justice to the use of color.

 

A lovely and imaginative photo tho. Just superb, any way you present it.

There’s a sensual quality to both the subject of the photo and the photo itself … the textures, highlights, curves, crevices all brought out with care. I’ve seen impressive color photos of these formations but think you’ve adeptly and appropriately tailored your black and white to support the compelling idea of this photo, which I find has an abstract approach at its core, perspective playing a key role as we look up toward an inviting sky feeling encased in the intimate architecture of the moment. The starburst adds a photographic gesture with an organic feel, and a lushness of tonality (without falling for false higher contrast) grounds us rather than smacking us in the face.

I, too, prefer the B&W, and I am primarily a color photographer

My 15 minutes 'edit time' has elapsed so in addition

- my impression is that the 'color version' expresses as many tonal contrasts as the B/W version

- I wonder why you would choose to post a B/W version

 

I edited this 5-6 years ago so it is possible that my preference has changed since then, however, looking at the images with slightly more naive eyes, my gut is to prefer the BW. I can introspect and try to put words to that preference but those words might just be an attempt to rationalize an irrational choice - why do I prefer coffee ice cream over black raspberry?

That said, I find the color distracts me from the texture and tonality of the BW; I often prefer BW when it comes to photos of rocks. Additionally, the color contrast between the sky and the rock walls overwhelms the shape and texture as well. There may also be a sentimentality to my preference in that I grew up loving the BW images of the southwest.

Great photo! I too really love the black and white version: the shapes and textures of the natural rock, the deep sky tones and the overall composition.