Finally pulled the trigger on this lens this morning. It's shots like this that have had my eye on it for well over a year, not sure why I've waited so long.
Wonderful shot, Mark!
The vertical loses the feeling of perfect balance with the sandstone extending far to the left and right, and so I do like it much more. However, this image is still excellent as a stand alone. I like your decision to extend the pool far into the foreground and really showcase those lines underwater. The colors are beautiful and look very natural. Really nice.
First of all, thank you everyone for the feedback and kind words. I really appreciate it.
Zeph wrote:
Congrats Mark, you do deserve the recognition...
I also had parents that subscribed to Arizona Highways, it helped develope my vision as well...
Awesome man. You never know how things like that have an effect on us...
Scott Kroeker wrote:
Very nice Mark. I prefer this to the wide version a lot. Congrats on the finals.
Thank you Scott. Well, the other is wide to (14mm) but the other orientation...
Jeffrey wrote:
I like this vertical better than the one in the contest!
And, since you forfeited all rights to your submitted contest image, you have full rights to this one which can perhaps serve you better.
Thank you Jeffery.
Dustin Garrett wrote:
Finally pulled the trigger on this lens this morning. It's shots like this that have had my eye on it for well over a year, not sure why I've waited so long.
Wonderful shot, Mark!
Oh nice!!! Have fun!
Danpbphoto wrote:
Ohhh! Just outstanding Mark!!! All the basics of composing an outstanding image.
Good luck..
Dan
Thank you Dan!
gdanmitchell wrote:
It is a lovely scene. An alternative compositional decision would be to crop about a 1/4 tree height above the tree.
Thank you Dan. I could see that. I have a tendency to resist cropping in my work. Not completely, but I just don't like to do it much. I think that I take great care in camera about my compositional choices and don't like weird aspect ratios much. But I do agree that would be a viable option or version.
Chuck Eklund wrote:
A wonderful image in every way I can think of . . . and your posts make an excellent tutorial. Thank you very much.
Chuck
Thank you Chuck. I enjoy sharing...
StarNut wrote:
I'm an old curmudgeon, not given to being wowed by images.
WOW!
WOW! Thank you for the great compliment!
Casterguy wrote:
Great work. Did you make it the "The Wave" as well?
Thank you very much. No, I was leading a workshop here and the attendees were not very interested in The Wave (although a very cool place). But next year we might. Everyone on this workshop has already signed up again for this next year and we are going to do a 10 day'er! "The Wave" very well might become part of that one.
Mark Metternich wrote:
I feel honored and have a genuine sense of gratitude that my horizontal version of this shot has made the Arizona Highways 2014-2015 Photo Contest Finals.
With all the truly amazing work there by fabulous photographers, I was actually quite surprised. Like a lot of other people here I am sure, I grew up with this magazine always in our home. It was a favorite of my entire family. In fact I am very sure it had a real effect on me choosing a career of leading photography tours with a strong emphasis on the great SW and Arizona. I had never really thought about it until I found out I was in the running.
As they describe on the site: "A placid pool reflects a lone tree and the landscape of White Pocket in the Vermilion Cliffs"
Sony A7R
Rokinon 14mm
f/5.6
200 ISO
14 shots, focus sacked for enhanced depth of field.
I should note that I used both Photoshop CC 2014, and Zerene Stacker for the Depth of Field Focus Blend and Photoshop did the better job, so I went with that, with the typical bits of clean up here and there...
That is a beautiful photograph Mark! I would give it a 1st place vote in a heartbeat. Definitely print that large and hang it on a wall. Preferably, my house. Great job!
