First off... what or where is Gates Pass. Adding location information is always helpful.
Now, I like your first one, nice work on that more intimate shot. As for #2, not totally sure on that. I really like the tight texture on the closest rock, but the back rock, at the shadow line, it's not quite a sharp, so it almost comes across like it's blurred or out of focus, rather then a DOF issue. So I think I longer DOF would have been better here. But still a very creative shot.
#2 is really interesting study in textures. I agree with JimFox about the sharpness of that second layer of rock: sharp focus there too would really help to emphasize the soft edge of the shadow.
I think maybe the light in the first one is just too flat. That brighter area at the bottom doesn't play well with the rest of the image. The center of the 'x' draws the most attention, but then there is that bright patch competing with it for attention.
Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate all the suggestions. About that back rock. I see what you mean, but I think it may be a factor of the reduction in size for the web. At full size the image is sharp front to back. I actually had to do some focus stacking to get it that way, but because of that I know that the dark area is equally sharp.
On the first one... also good suggestions. I'll try toning down that bright spot and see how it looks.
Thanks again,
Dave
P.S. Gates Pass is a pass to the west of Tucson, AZ. It provides a way through the Tucson mountains.
Phrasikleia wrote:
#2 is really interesting study in textures. I agree with JimFox about the sharpness of that second layer of rock: sharp focus there too would really help to emphasize the soft edge of the shadow.
I think maybe the light in the first one is just too flat. That brighter area at the bottom doesn't play well with the rest of the image. The center of the 'x' draws the most attention, but then there is that bright patch competing with it for attention.
