Three Sisters - Monument Valley (View Larger)

Pig's ear or silk purse? My buddy Ray and ventured down the rough, pot

holed road from the Visitors center through the Mittens and other

Monuments. To say this road is bad, is an understatement and our truck

was loaded with camping gear. We didn't venture too far as we needed

our vehicle for the rest of our trip. We pulled off the "road" so that

we could at least get one shot from this sojourn into hell, so we

grabbed our gear. The light was not good as it was mid afternoon and

the passing vehicles covered us in dust. This was one of the rare

times that I shot without a tripod, but it was very bright and the

dust was high. I grabbed one or two photographs between dust storms

but I didn't feel like it was productive at all. However, after

studying this image for awhile I felt I could make it look more like a

setting sun photograph and come up with something for my efforts.I

first processed it in color in Lightroom. Next I did some editing in

Silver Efex Pro where I added Sepia Toning. I liked the old west

"feel" it gave to it. I then opened it in CS5 making a couple curve

adjustments and added a broad Unsharp Mask (Amount 20%-Radius 60). I

darkened it with a Levels adjustment layer, using only the mid tones

slider. Finally, I added both a Ektalure Cream and Selenium toning.

The combination of these three tones seemed bring more of that old

west photographer's look. Was I successful or was all this work just

another pig's ear.

The original Raw file

I have been to that location and you are right about the road and the dust.  I think given the light you had this interpretation is the best you could do.  I does have an old west look!  Good job making something from almost nothing. 

Agree with John on this one.  It has the " old west " feel to it.  I can imagine John Wayne coming down that road riding shotgun in the " Stagecoach " movie...Ray