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Racetrack - Death Valley


tranhuy
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Greetings Huy; We see tons of 'Race Track' photos, and most are pretty well done; but this one is exceptional! I really like the way this is cropped to show the sky and the effects of the colors of the sunset and enlarge the perception of depth. Very well shot; it looks like a shot from another planet. Thank You for sharing.
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In the right seasons and conditions and with persistence and very good luck, one can encounter absolutely astounding views on the Racetrack Play. However, having been there, something seems off about this image.

  • If I'm not mistaken, this view shows the sun low in the sky... in more or less north or northeast?
  • There is sun light on the front of The Grandstand (the small distant rock formation on the playa), yet we see the sun setting (or rising?) on the other side of the rock... in the north?
  • The soft glow barely illuminating the foreground rock seems to be coming from some height over the photographer's left shoulder - perhaps diffused light from an evening sky after the sun has dropped behind the ridges to the west?
  • And those birds above the playa... what kind of large bird (and are they sea birds?!) flies in large flocks over the playa in Death Valley?

This image is constructed from some scenes of lovely light. I'm not necessarily against image manipulation - we all do it to some extent - but I have my doubts about that sky in particular. Perhaps it was photographed on another planet... :-)

Dan

(Who promises to post a generous apology if he is wrong about this, and who recommends a visit to this photographer's gallery, in particular for wonderful macro shots of insects. :-)

Update: And who has now fulfilled this promise - see below... Thank you, Huy, for being so gracious. :-)

I believe the following photo is looking pretty much the same direction - you can see the same perspective on the Grandstand and the same shapes on the ridge, though smaller here. It is looking north.

http://64.81.64.200:81/images/photoblog/RacetrackTwoRocksBW20060403.jpg
Racetrack Playa Early Morning. Death Valley National Park, California. April 4, 2006.

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Thank you all for spending time viewing, rating and leaving such nice and constructive comments on this photo.

@ Dan Mitchell,

First of all, I'd like to thank you for viewing and giving great comments on this photo.

This photo is, obviously, a digital alterations version as it is placed under. Not only the sky, but also colors, composition and details were being manipulated. As a learner in this digital age, I try to get whatever possible to make something out of my camera. And I think it is part of the learning process. I, however, do realize where the sun rise and set in Death Valley (and have some photos of them also). But in a digital alterations version, I'm not sure if it is necessary to stick exactly with how the reality is because if I do so, it is then no longer a digital alterations version. I do also realize there's not many birds in Death Valley, but after all, has anyone ever seen Death Valley in this overall color tones or the direction of the sun rise/set in real life? It is just simply a digital piece.

I do, on the other hand, greatly appreciate your comments and your will of sharing the knowledge of this great place. As I said above, it is part of the learning process, and your opinions are obviously playing an important role. For that, I thank you.

Best regards.

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As promised, my apology.

 

I have to admit that I completely missed the fact that you categorized this as a digital alteration - so my carefully constructed chain of evidence proving that it is indeed a digital alteration seems quite silly in retrospect. (I still prefer the real Racetrack Playa to the invented one... but I also modify my landscape images to some extent, so I can hardly fault you for that!)

 

I did visit your portfolio page and I am very impressed. As I wrote in my earlier message I especially enjoyed your stunning macro photos of insects!

 

Thank you for your gracious response to my silliness :-)

 

Dan

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There's no need to apologize. In fact, I'd have to thank you once again for sharing such great knowledge as well as the constructive opinions. It's always great to hear others' opinions whether it's positive or negative because I think it's a great way to learn.

Thanks, Dan.

...and here's another digital version looking West...just that I don't like this photo that much due to the fact that the track seems to be made by someone, not nature - And I think you do notice that many rocks there are now not leaving their moving marks; instead, some visitors have tried to make them look like they are.

4451350.jpg
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I've seen many photos of Death Valley, but none like this. The sky is perfect for the shot. It almost seems as if there was an explosion, and the rock was retreating so it would not be absorbed in the heat. Great capture, looking forward to seeing more from you.
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I have never seen Death Valley, but I do know a beautiful photograph when I see one and this one has to be among the very best that I have seen on PN - good job Huy - I wish I can produce even 1/3 the quality of work you produce

thanks and a HAPPY NEW YEAR

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How I wish I have your skills to create such a beautiful image digitally.It requires skills & imagination & creativity think more difficult than just capturing an actual nature shot right from the camera.

Hereby I wish you Good Health & Prosperity & all the best for 2007 & the years ahead & more experiments in photography to share with us :-)

star.gifstar%20rt.gif

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I'd prefer a bit longer focal lenth to increase the cohesiveness of this landscape between rock and sky. I'm torn between the two here, with lots of dead space in the middle. I think about 30-40mm would have retained that distant feeling in the foreground and the depth that makes this work while creating a more complete image visually. Also, the black tops of the distand mountains are a bit distracting but understandable given the range of exposure. I find this area to be way over-photographed, but this is one of the better compliments of light I've seen here - whether significantly altered or not. The birds don't add anything for me and look like dust spots in this tiny web view. I'm sure they would add more to a larger print.
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Thank you all very spending time viewing, rating, and leaving nice and constructive comments on this photo. Wishing all a very Happy New Year.
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This is really a great work. I wondered where was the digital alteration and supposed that it was only a changing of the sky, but reading the comment of Dan Mitchel and your reply was very interesting. I personnaly don't know the Death valley and nothing is shocking me excessively in your work. I like real landscapes but I like also altered landscapes (if we can say like this). The artist is king and the only thing that others can judge is the artistic value of his work. For me it is OK for this one.
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