Horseshoe Bend-Left Fork (View Larger)

In trying to find an angle that hasn't been done before, I came up

with this view.

I think you did a good job with this original view. I really like the composition, and the colors.

Hi Leo,

This is certainly a pleasant image to view.

Technically, I question the use of F/16 with any normal angle lens setting, especially the "L" series glass from Canon.  All that real definition capability is left behind.

For the "L" lens, F/5.6 is plenty, as the DOF would work well across the range in this scene.

Best Regards,  Mike

In contrast to Mike, I do not have a DOF issue with this photo. I think the thing that makes this photo stand out is the composition, which, rather than dwelling on the size and grandeur has found a way to express the "narrowness" of the river, this feeling of being trapped between rocky walls, and I think that have all that in focus strengths that feel because, like the rock on the bottom left, you really have a feel for the rock there! Excellent work!!!

Mike, that has not been my experience at all.  Given the distance between the rock on the left and the distant background (let alone the main rock wall on the right), f/5.6 is not going to have everything sharp and in focus like f/11 or f/16 will.  In fact, when I want to isolate some part of the photo from the background, I'll start with f/5.6 and work up (or down?) to f/2.8 or so.  I find that even f/22 works well, despite increasing concern about diffraction.

Thank you for the kind words.

I think the sweet spot of this particular lens is about at f8 and when possible I try to take advantage of that fact. But, in all honesty my main concern is not hitting the sweet spot but getting the whole photograph in sharp focus. I calculated that I could get a sharp focus with f11, but to make absolutely sure I chose f16. Again it's more about getting the photograph to me than worrying about the sharpest part of the lens. I don't think any part of this photograph suffered in any way from my decision. The nearest of the FG boulder and the far reaches of the canyon would both not be in focus at f5.6 or even f8 for that matter.

Thank you so much, both for your support and encouraging words.

Thanks for your support on my f stop decision, I do appreciate it.

Best regards Leo!

PDE

Thanks for visiting all these images Pierre and of course for the encouraging words.

Leo: I'm amazed at how much longer these hikes have gotten since I have added the burden of scores of birthdays. The four corners region for a couple of hundred miles in all directions is marvelous. I used to stay at a little B&B about fifteen miles outside of Mexican Hat and 30 miles from the nearest electric light. If you are headed back that way, get in touch and I'll send along the contact information. The B&B was homesteaded into Valley of the Gods NM and is about 10 miles from the Goosenecks.

Thanks John and I hear you loud and clear on the birthdays. If I'm heading back anytime soon I will contact you about the B&B. It sounds quaint. I always appreciate any information that can make these trips easier.