Turret Arch-high angle-8082a-bw-med

This is a high-angle view of Turret Arch in Arches National Park. Very high contrast in

original image made this difficult in color, but I thought I would try a B&W treatment.

What do you think? Your comments and feedback respectfully requested and always

sincerely appreciated.

I like it a lot--really nice angle of view, and the background sky does a great job of bringing in diagonals of the opposite direction that interact beautifully with the arch. The sunlit side of the arch melds in a bit with the linear cloud--might it be possible to darken the lower 60% of the patch of sky visible through the arch just a little to let the arch stand out a bit more? It might be a difficult call--enough to differentiate, but not enough to look like it's not a smooth continuation of the rest of the sky. I like the semi-circle of highlight from the window on the left margin, and I really like how you've placed the dark edge of the foreground rock against the light inside wall of the arch. And I love how this angle of view manages to convey the massiveness of the rock and the fragility of the arch at the same time. 

Nice composition, an exiting angle and a very good B&W processing.

-BLM.

There are some lovely shapes and textures involved in this image and I do like the highlighted sun-lit arch. The POV allows a sense of scale and the close proximity of the lower portion allows a tangible kind of feel to it.  My only thoughts were that due to the angle that the lower left portion might look a little soft?  But it could also just be the way the elements have worn the rock.

 Very well done David!

Best Regards

Alf

Chris, I'm glad you like it. Thank you for your kind words.

Leslie, your well-considered and detailed critique is sincerely appreciated. I may play with the contrast between rock and sky, but I find much adjustment quickly makes for too-obvious manipulation, at least with my PP skills. Still, worth a try.  Thank you for your time and interest.

Bela, I'm always quite pleased when you approve of my work. Thank you, as always, for taking the time to view and comment.

Alf, since you are the maestro of B&W landscapes, I'm flattered and gratified you like this one. I went back and checked my original for softness in the corners, and there may be just a touch of DOF-induced softness in the lower-left. This was hand-held, and I couldn't work effectively at a smaller aperture while staying at ISO 100. However, I believe that at least some of what you are seeing is simply the very soft contours of the heavily weathered sandstone. Do you think darkening this area slightly might make it less obvious? Thank you for your feedback.

Doug, you are too kind, but I'll take it. Funny thing is, I had nearly tossed this one in the waste bin until I decided to play with it in B&W. Thank you.

Your angle gives it power.  Your choice of B&W and tonal work gives it life and ties earth and sky together.  Great image, David.

I am even more impressed now I know it was hand held!   It might be worth a try to apply a touch of graduated darkening to the lower left.

Cheers!

Alf