guidostow wrote:
Hi Al -- I really love the processing on the B&W version. Could you explain the strong blue foreground in the color version?
The ruin was built where two different types (different colors) of sandstone meet. The upper layer is Navajo Sandstone and the lower layer is Kayenta Sandstone. They were deposited at geologically different times and the difference in color is due to the mineral content (usually iron) that was in the sand when it was deposited.
The upper layer (Navajo) appears as white/cream/light yellow while the lower layer (Kayenta) often appears to be red/mauve/slightly purple.
At the time I took this picture the lower level was in the shade so appears even darker. The upper layer (Navajo) was being brightened by light reflecting off of the canyon wall. For photographers the window for best pictures is generally a couple of hours each morning when the reflected light brightens the upper wall. The 'flames' are created (visually) by the Navajo Sandstone flaking off of the upper wall. I have a large canvas print of the color image on my wall and the foreground appears red/purple in it. I see this one appears as blue. Don't know what to make of that?!
