Still Standing

The gradient very much strengthens this well designed black and white.

@Wayne- Thanks much for your comments as always. It's interesting to note that the gradient in the black and white is pretty much accurate in terms of how the colors were rendered. Blue to Cyan (lighter) were really the actual colors of the sky in this scene. This year (2015) there were fires all over the West and smoke and haze were the rules rather than the exceptions. Really noticeable in my images from Owens Valley. The sky looks streaked, but it was accurate for the smoke and clouds in the air. Same issue at Bodie.

Nicely done. Very Ansel Adams.