Anasazi Ruin, Canyonlands National Park

Your thoughts or suggestions appreciated.

Wow! Spectacular! The lightning is a nice touch.

Amazing image.Very well done.

Amazing capture, Don. Congrats.

This is excellently framed and balanced. The heavy cloud fills the top space and the foreground leads through to the lightning highlight.

This is just plain terrific!

In daylight capture lightning, Respect!

Thanks for your kind comments. Although there was an incredible lighting storm that day and a fierce hail storm, I wasn't able to capture the lighting on this image. I really need one of those lighting triggers! I composited the lighting bolt from another image. But this alcove with the Anazi ruins was a perfect place to take shelter from the storm...

felicidades es una impresionante toma me encanta

Where to start? I think you have covered it, from creative, to a fortunate capture of the lighting, the contrast and the flow of the range of color, this is truly mesmerizing. Very, Very, Nicely done, best, VAlerie

Tell me, what contributes the magenta on the clouds and distant objects?

Glen: The warm cast to the underside of the storm clouds is, I believe, a reflection of the predominately red rock countryside. I've noticed the same reddish hue on the underside of clouds several times in S.E. Utah.

Great light and details...

We liked the drama in the image, but thought a little more dodging and burning would increase the drama. This is just a quick once over. What do you think?

Thanks for the interest in my photo! It's hard to judge, but your version looks too dark on my monitor. I usually lean toward showing detail in the shadows but that's just my personal taste now-a-days. I'd be interested in hearing other people's opinions. I sometimes miss those deep blacks I used to get with Velvia 50 slide film....

I prefer the fine detail in the original but it's good that people are inspired enought to try new effects (with the photographer's blessing). One technique to retain shadow detail is to use a contrast mask: Luminous-landscape, or as a PS Plugin to try and retain shadow detail while increasing contrast and drama.

Your picture is magical. Keeping the tones light and subdued leaves the sky makes its own real drama. Much more powerful than "in your face effect". It's like a stage set for a full blown drama. First you see the picture at small scale and you are attracted by the arch above left, the fire pit shape and the sweeping mountain to the right. Then you open the picture and you discover the sky. It's wow wow wow! My! And then you can enlarge and just bask in the whole scenery and imagine how majestic it must have felt to be in this kind of cover while a spectacular sky is ready to unfold lighting and thunder. Magical shot. 7/7 is weak for it in my opinion but I give it wholeheartedly. Just wish it could be a little larger, I would have kept it for a while as a screen saver.

This is an outstanding photo, but I think it's a little flat (low contrast). Here is a version I personally like better.

Momo,

 

Yes, I think a little more contrast is in order. Thank you for your helpful suggestion. Don

Hi Don......what a great photo. I think it has all the drama it needs w/ the lightning. I'm like you...I like to maintain as much detail in the shadows as I can. I have been following your Photo.net page for quite a while now and when I saw this photo as the second place winner of a contest in Parade Magazine I told my wife, "I know that guy". Congratulations for winning and for your success in the art of photography. Fred

You are a completely amazing and blessed soul Don.

Very well done image, great composition.

Beautiful shot, how funny I was just reading about this place because I am planning a trip there this coming weekend and plan on visiting these ruins. I love the stormy clouds with lighting strikes, great capture. I hope I am as lucky to get a great background sky like you, but I doubt it, maybe my next trip.

I love False Kiva. I have had some magical experiences there.

Don, a truly great shot.... how desolate is that place! Great colour, clarity, lighting and composition. Your composition leaves you feeling as though you are looking through a window.

Thanks for sharing

Regards