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Willard Knob
Willard Knob
dsidwell


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Ansel Adams (Advanced Editing IV)
Collection: Landscapes
Camera: Sony DSC-F828
Location: Logan Canyon, Utah USA
Date: Mar 1, 2005
Aperture: f 8.0
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/125
Galleries: Landscape, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Mar 1, 2005

 I had to drive an hour for this one, since our alpine valley here is still under the influence of an inversion, and so all is foggy, smoggy, and misty. It was good to see sunshine again. I'm so busy right now, but it was sure worth taking an afternoon to be with my wife and my camera (in that order!)

I did all kinds of crazy things to this to bring out the texture in the rocks and to keep the Adams' Zone System in place. First, I cleaned things up just a bit by blurring the A and B channels working in Lab color. Back to RGB, I used the Watercolor filter (highest detail; no paper texture) to "fix" the texture in the rocks. I then faded this filter to about 15%. I did the same thing with the crosshatch filter (small brush, high sharpness, low strength), then faded this to about 15%. This really enhanced the rocks; digital cameras seem to really dislike this kind of texture.

I converted to b/w using the channel mixer (low blue, high red and green). Sharpened, cropped, and did just a little dodging and burning here and there.

I had a few good photos this week, but my wife liked this one best. Technically, I think it's darn good. I'm not sure it has a whole lot of WOW factor, though. Especially for Windows folks, who'll see this a bit darker.

Statistics
Place: 15 out of 292
Avg (all users): 6.5304
Avg (commenters): 7.8125
Avg (participants): 6.4397
Avg (non-participants): 6.6509
Views since voting: 2776
Votes: 247
Comments: 23
Favorites: 8 (view)

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AuthorThread
 03/19/2005 01:37:13 PM
Thanks for the comments, all who did so! This was a fun challenge, and I applaud the winners; I thought Steve's (stdavidson) photo of the saguaro landscape was magnificent--certainly one of my favorites of the challenge. I'm not surprised it won and I'm really happy that it did.

As for processing, the processing I did is almost invisible. Just a greater clarity of texture on the rocks, and some energy spent in getting details and many shades of gray.

Thanks again!
 03/15/2005 10:06:15 AM
I`ve just read your post processing details David and am in awe of your skills and knowledge on the subject.
How I wish I could spend a day in your company !!

Absolutely beautiful image.
Well done.

(Edited for typo)

Message edited by author 2005-03-15 18:30:52.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2005 12:34:59 AM
This was my favourite picture in the AA challenge. I think it should have received a ribbon. I gave it a 10. I had no idea how exceedingly it was processed. You are really great at working with Photoshop and aesthetics. Congratulation on this great entry!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2005 09:41:39 AM
I still feel that this shot belonged in top 5, wonderful effect with the clouds over peak and clarity of image. congratulations on one of top 20
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2005 01:56:55 AM
Wow David!
Never made it around to the voting on this one, but this sure would have taken a top 5 in my book. Added to my favorites too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2005 12:49:41 AM
Quite frankly, this is the best image of this challenge. The tones are wonderful, the focus razor sharp and the contrast is perfect Adams. The way the clouds highlight the mountain is sublime.

This is my personal choice for BEST in this challenge! It was from the instant I set eyes on it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/13/2005 06:46:43 PM
Love the recurring patterns around the 'knob' in this - which really makes your shot I think. Good detail and a well toned photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2005 10:15:46 AM
Fabulous!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2005 01:19:00 PM
I like the way that the cloud rings the dark mass of rock.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2005 05:12:54 AM
the way the clouds mirror the top of the mountain really give some dramatic separation, some good mountain shots in this challenge - wonder whuch will come out top - 10, good luck
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2005 07:12:46 PM
great contrast, very effective...just like looking at an Adams print...9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/10/2005 11:40:13 AM
Very nice! 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/10/2005 10:23:14 AM
the fact that the picture is square makes it less appealing. Perhaps include more on the right or left, or less sky.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2005 07:36:48 PM
This image should win the blue ribbon. Super shot! Great composition and capture of white cloud highlighting the mountain. By far, this is the best example of the Ansel Adams style. The tonal range is perfect and it's super clarity is in the best tradition of Ansel Adams. Ansel himself would praise it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2005 04:20:37 PM
Now this one I would love to have on my wall...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2005 12:00:55 PM
Awesome contrast. Nice balance between sky and mountain. I love how the clouds trace the mountain top. Nice photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2005 11:32:25 AM
Now that's an Ansel!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2005 05:33:23 PM
Enhanced contrast between dark peak (I can't bring myself to use that name!) and framing cloud feels a little forced but overall this is a class act which I've bumped up 2 points. The covering of snow is just enough for highlighting without dominating the tones (a problem with several entries). Great capture and processing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2005 09:15:06 AM
Dramatic sky, good composition and light ... one of my favorites for this challenge. In my opinion the only "but" about the picture is the border, it kind of distracts instead of help to enhance the picture.
Good luck!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2005 07:42:50 AM
Very good. Nice contrast.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/07/2005 04:55:46 PM
Very nice contrast and details, well done! 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/07/2005 01:35:26 PM
quite nice
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/07/2005 12:25:13 AM
awesome....this puts my shot to shame...very cool
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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