travers saddle

one of my early winter tramping experiences i aimed to get here by

sunrise but severely underestimated the conditions i took this shot as

soon as i got here long past sunrise but getting this dramatic break

in the cloud made it well worth it! three photos stitched with lots of

contrast and color adjustments as the originals were very lifeless and

gray. canon 400d with 10-22mm critiques welcome

Jarod, I really like this image and think you have managed to bring out some really good drama in the coloring. My only suggestion in terms of the image would be to try cropping the left side of the image closer in so that the dark valley to the left of the mountain doesn't have the little indent that it currently does. I believe that would make that portion of the image appear almost like a wave either coming towards or receeding from the mountain, which might add some additional visual interest and serve as a counter to the bright sky on the immediate right of the image.

I would probably recommend you lose the frame since it detracts from the image itself but clearly that is a matter of personal preference.

Nice image and like many on the site, I only comment on the images I think are good.

Greg

Even though you may have been later than you intended, you lucked out in having some bright clouds as a backdrop for the mountain, yet plenty of detail can still be seen in the mountain.

Some folks may not favor having the mountain so centered in this wide frame, and aesthetically you might do better by having it to one side.  I suspect there is a deep valley there on the left that you would like to preserve.  However, the detail is not very great, and I'm only able to guess about the presence of a valley.  Considering the light on the mountain and in the sky, I think I'd start with different crops on the left side and see if the mountain could be de-centered while retaining the light and ruggedness of the area.  Alternatively, you might want to crop on the right, removing a good portion of the gray cloud, perhaps almost up to or maybe beyond the highest light area.  Cropping from the right would preserve more of the interesting clouds you've worked hard to get.

Greg and Stephen thanks for your comments! i see what you mean about the valley to left it is slightly distracting but personally i find cropping it out also removes the foreground hill rising to left witch i think balances the foreground slope adding to the composition. (the dark cloud to the right) i think you need dark areas too emphasize the light coming out behind the peak, i believe if it is all light then it is not dramatic light.usually i like focal points just off center e.g. misty tree in my portfolio, with this photo i am comfortable with the peak very close too the center possibly because the light is focused on the right of the peak while all the composition leads too the left.I think that is a flaw the light and composition should be on the same side to make a perfectly balanced composition. if i return in winter i may try walking to the left to cut out the valley or a different composition in summer with tussocks.

I'll put in my 2 cents on this, but it's clearly the kind of shot that you'll get a variety of opinions on.  Personally, I like your version with the peak near the center.  And I also like the fact that the dark cloud in the upper right kind of counter-balances the dark ravine on the left.  Exposure is well controlled too, so I really don't have anything constructive to offer.....I like it the way it is.  Did you slightly vignette the corners?

yes vignetting done in photoshop