Somewhere in the desert

[GB1]

Wondering if anyone except me sees anything in this shot?

Thanks in advance for commenting.

GB

[Mr Yuck]

I see a gorgeous landscape that would make for a good background for something, but it seems to be missing something to focus on that would allow the image to stand alone.

Perhaps a human element or a buzzard. The foreground rocks do give the image some depth, I'd just like to see someone or something there in the foreground....a cow skull...I do believe that's what's missing...is a cow skull.

[Greg McCary]

I hate to keep preaching this, but I believe a graduate filter would have helped make this one great landscape. The composition is fine. If you could have lowered the lighting in the sky a couple of stops it would have made a big difference. I feel sure you could reshoot this and it would make for a beautiful landscape.

[Tyson L. Sparks]

I like the little red Catis on the bottom left. I am still thinking on it..............................When I look at it my eyes drop to the bottom, I don't know if that helps you in any way.

[readingr]

Sorry about this but the angle is taken from to high a stand point. You need to bring the angle down to add depth to the photo and bring out the features and textures in the foreground objects.

As Greg said, an ND would be needed to improve this. Looks like you took this looking into the sun so a polarising filter wouldn't help much.

I think I would have moved to the left of your position to get a better angle between the cactus and flower in the foreground and the cacti in the distance to add to the feeling of depth.

I think you need to go back and retake and possibly in the late evening or sunrise to get the most from this area.

Roger

[GB1]

Roger - It all depends on what's in the area in the near foreground. I did experiment with tilting the angle down more (with less sky) but there was nothing of interest in that space. I seem to deal with that issue a lot out there - lack of a subject in the foreground (as Mr Yuck noted). I totally agree about the graduated ND filter: I have one too, but didn't use it on this particular shot. I think it was pretty close to sunset, say 2 hrs before. It's out near Tucson AZ, ~ 7 hrs from me.. maybe I'll get out there again sometime soon.

Tyson, I think it might be normal for color to attract one's eye, esp red and when the rest of the shot is so very unsaturated like this. Maybe I should have gotten in closer to the cactus and made it more of an obvious subject? Next time.

Greg, I seem to be bad about using my graduated ND filter. Hopefully I will get it eventually.

MY - Excelland idea about the cow skull. Actually, I think I will find/buy one and take it with me next time as a prop :idea: Why not, eh? You can never find what you need out there, so gotta bring it.

GB

[EOSThree]

Roger - It all depends on what's in the area in the near foreground. I did experiment with tilting the angle down more (with less sky) but there was nothing of interest in that space. I seem to deal with that issue a lot out there - lack of a subject in the foreground (as Mr Yuck noted). I totally agree about the graduated ND filter: I have one too, but didn't use it on this particular shot. I think it was pretty close to sunset, say 2 hrs before. It's out near Tucson AZ, ~ 7 hrs from me.. maybe I'll get out there again sometime soon.
GB

I agree with what Roger said in whole. He's not suggesting tilt the camera down but get yourself down on the ground. The horizon looks tilted to the right a little to me too, looking at the distant mountains. 7 hours? just a short stretch of the legs in Wyoming. or Alaska.

[readingr]

I agree with what Roger said in whole. He's not suggesting tilt the camera down but get yourself down on the ground. The horizon looks tilted to the right a little to me too, looking at the distant mountains. 7 hours? just a short stretch of the legs in Wyoming. or Alaska.

Exactly what I meant. In the UK I carry black bin liners to put on the ground (normally wet here) as protection for me and the camera.

Roger

[GB1]

Ok.. guess I misunderstood when I read it. Getting low may indeed add a lot of perspective and a stronger vanishing point. Just needed a nicer subject -- where are those rattlesnakes when you need one!?

GB

[readingr]

Ok.. guess I misunderstood when I read it. Getting low may indeed add a lot of perspective and a stronger vanishing point. Just needed a nicer subject -- where are those rattlesnakes when you need one!?

GB

Quote from Captain Mannering "Stupid Boy, don't you know those things are dangerous" :lol:

I think if you get low you already have the foreground which would be of interest, the cacti and the bush right in front. No need for lethal items,:thumbsup:

Roger

[jixline]

i am not a pro but for me the red cactus is distracting, maybe coz it is a different color

[GB1]

but snakes make nice photo subjects. just don't get bit. do you know that I've only seen two rattlers in almost 10 yrs out here? Maybe they're camera shy.

jixline, it does grab the attention... Not sure if in a good way or a bad way. But if the red cactus wasn't there, I suspect that the center foreground bush with its lit branches would also become a distraction. I guess the scene is really about the background. But a good subject never hurts.

GB