Blue Skies Over Badlands

Everything seemed to flow quite well when I saw this, from the lean

of the hoodoos with the swriling clouds to the wave of the rocks in

the foreground. The low sidelighting doesn't hurt, either.

 

Thanks for any thoughts,

Cheers,

Aaron

Good Job. The clouds make intersting of this rocks. Good DOF.

 

Stalin

Great composition and textures. Regards.

Awesome colors and texture, excellent lighting. Nice framming.

Nuff said..

Excellent image. - Sean

Very nice composition!

This one has 'attitude', Aaron. I especially like these crispy textures...

Sean, thanks for dropping a note. You've always got solid shots.

 

Steve, thanks - haven't heard from you in a while. Unfortunately, I didn't get this one on 4x5 :-(

 

Dave, wait 'till you see the black and white version.

 

cheers,

Aaron

Badlands is such a photogenic place - late evening warm light would have been even better on these structures. Composition here is nice, but does not provide any unique angle or message - just my view. Otherwise, strong image

Arnab, thank you for writing. I appreciate every comment on any of my images. This is late evening, with the sun about 15 degrees off the horizon, hence the shadowed foreground and warm chutes. It is, afterall, simply a landscape. If you get a compelling sense of space and place, then just maybe I've succeeded. Your comment made me smile: without a unique angle or message, it is still a strong image?

 

Cheers,

Aaron

Aaron: Good points made. You have sidelighting here, but the light can be more warm and dramatic and of vibrant color. I have seen very dramatic warm light in Badlands (been there almost 3 years ago) - it's still very much alive in my memory. Sorry no image in my portfolio to share at this point. Also, I think that you can provide unique angles and views in landscape shots (beyond regulation postcard views) - sense of place and time is important, but only that does not make a great landscape shot - you need something more that can touch the viewer. Check out many great landscapes in this site and works of other great photographers (I am sure you always do so) - it's tough to describe that emotional quality of a image. The reason why I mentioned your image "Strong" is because I felt that you have used good techniques and have captured the essence of Badlands in one way; also I always try to be encouraging and respectful to fellow photographers - that's all - dont take it otherwise. Hope this helps..

I didn't think this was "postcard," but that's fine. Compositionally, this works; the low perspective emphasizes the strong foreground rills that pull the viewer's eye up and into the frame. Your Favorite Rocky shots are good, but not groundbreaking even with their colours. It's nearly impossible to pin down an emotional quality to an image because it effects everyone in any number of different ways. Obviously, we can't please everyone even some of the time, but I'm glad you took the time to write, and it's always good to see things from another perspective. Afterall, even the best of us are trying to improve. No offense taken or intended :-)

 

thanks again,

Aaron

Aaron: I never claimed that my shots are better than yours - I dont even think that my shots are "groundbreaking" - I am also here to learn and consider myself just an ordinary amateur. Your work is very good and inspiring - I just expressed my honest criticism - please feel free to express your thoughts on any of my image - that will help me to improve and I will accept any criticism with PN-spirit. See you around.. (also, if you are satisfied with your composition in this image, that's great. I always struggle with composition and even after spending a lot of time in a location, I regret that stronger compositions would have been possible - probably always a good excuse to go back :-)

"I always struggle with composition and even after spending a lot of time in a location, I regret that stronger compositions would have been possible - probably always a good excuse to go back"

 

Yeah, me too. That's what I love about photography, there are always more possibilities and compositions ready to be explored.

 

Aaron - an awesome rendition of the badlands. the composition is fantastic. you've managed to achieve great balance through out the image, not an easy task when one is presented with the jumbled landscape of an area like Drumheller. the touch of warm light is subtle, but very real and appealing. most intriguing though are the lines. again, wonderful balance. the eye can simply flow throughout the image, exploring the intricacies of the land. the diagonal of the clouds only reinforce this. love your work!

Aaron, my immediate reaction to this shot was that it was refreshingly different than the standard traditional fare from this location. I agree completely with your comments regarding the composition. (Well, almost. I might, if the scene allowed, have put that dominant foreground swirl a little more off center.) I'm sure you worked this scene and this is likely the best angle. Thanks for a beautiful and refreshing "take" on a very photographed location.

Wonderful, the land of giants as imagined by Don Quixote!

Andrew, thanks for the comment. Jumble is right! The first time I went there, with camera in hand, I fully expected to come back with impressive landscapes. Well... that didn't really happen. It's easy to isolate the unique shapes, textures, and forms, but to present them in a wider context is a bit more difficult. When are you going to post something new???

 

Laurie, thanks! I tried the curve more centered, and that didn't work, but never really rotated much the other way. I'm heading back there with the 4x5 so I'll definitely see how it works more on the left.

 

Jack, he seems to be popping up more and more frequently!

Aaron, it's funny how difficult it is to get really good photos in places like this. I've spent far too much time getting rather mediocre photos of interesting rock formations! I like the colors and perspective here very much. I agree with Laurie about the composition: "if the scene allowed, have put that dominant foreground swirl a little more off center." You've included just the right amount sky to contrast with the rocks.

 

I wish you'd have shot this with the 4x5!

Hi Aaron, as a geologist I was immediately drawn to this image and I remember when a few months you pointed me towards a photographer who specialises in rock pics after pointing out that one of my microscope images was OK but missing something. I agree with you, that my micro-image could have been much better, and was happy that somebody was honest enough to give some proper criticism rather than the rather sickening mutual backslapping that one tends to see here. I was about to comment on this photo when I saw the exchange you had with Arnab above and was a little sad that you appear to take it so badly when somebody criticises your work in a similar way. So - I'm afraid I won't say where I think you could improve on this image!

Hugo, you should certainly say what you have to say. Aaron can take criticism but he certainly doesn't have to agree with it--Arnab's critique above doesn't really make much sense to me. I've spent quite a bit of time shooting rock formations and this isn't a bad shot. Some of Arnab's initial points of critique are just plain wrong and his suggestions for improvement aren't very convincing. And your comment is a very weak attack on Aaron's character, which isn't really fair. He's spent a lot of time on both mastering photography, as well as writing honest, probing critiques of photos.

 

If you have something to say about this photo, just say what you have to say about it. Serious photographers value specific, rational critiques of their work!

Hugo: Robert is right, say whatever you want to say. As Robert said, I was "plain wrong" - I wish that photography was that simple and there are clear right and wrong on views. Some people know everything, but you should not stop expressing yourself - by the way, Aaron is a great photographer and he gives me a lot of comments and ideas - we are good PN friends.

I have to say I'm a little surprised! Criticism is my life, but sometimes my remarks may come across as being overzealous. Arnab's comments are right in the sense that this probably would look quite amazing with the chutes "on fire," but this is, afterall, photography, and this is the best there was that day. Actually, it's a bit better, you should have seen the way it recorded on the film. Anyway, Hugo, speak your mind (on this or the B+W I'm about to upload). I quite appreciated your last comnment on the square flower.

 

cheers,

Aaron

Arnab, I probably should have phrased things differently above--too much red wine late at night in front of the computer! In the cold light of morning I'd be more likely to say something like I don't really agree with Arnab's critique and Aaron has the right explain the circumstances around and his rationale for taking the photo.

 

I agree with you that there are few absolutes in photography . . .