More Lightness of Being

Most beautiful photo of the beauty of the desert!

Best regards Paul!

PDE

This scene doesn't have anything that really reaches out to grab me.  Also, the light is fairly flat, probably due to the time of day.  Some significant portions of center are pretty dark and indistinct.  Finally (sorry for the downers), shooting the moon with a normal to wide angle results in a fairly small white dot, and I've seldom found that to be the best in the aesthetics department.

 I'd suggest shooting from a lower angle to get a bit more vertical variety in the frame, with some of the Joshua trees projecting into the sky.  That would also "free" the trees from the muddling background and make them more distinct.  The foreground is pretty plain (naturally), and perhaps continued scouting would find a composition that had more visual interest.  Overall, I think the challenge you have is a terrain that seems to be fairly flat and that apparently has few mature Joshua trees. 

Hi Steve.  Ouch !  Just kidding, I know there are issues and I have been fooling with the image since 2009 and thought I might have a version that is a good as I am going to get. The main reason I posted it was to see if anyone else thought it looked staged in a studio. It looks like that to Cruz and I. Maybe something out of an early 50's western shot on a studio back lot. Heading down to the Alvord Wed morning. Bet its toasty over in your neck a the woods.

I agree with Stephen's comments, However you could try some selective contrast adjustments and crops. Here is an example.

Thanks Ray, but I think it's time to put this one to rest. Like I said above I have been messing around with this image on and off since early 2009 and I don't think "its" there. The image has some serious problems and I don't think they can be overcome with manipulation.

Paul, I know you will be at home at the Alvord.  I hope the playa is completely dry.  The new moon occurs on Sunday; the thin crescent before and after may be good company.