Tall Tales - Long Shadows Photo

Photographer’s Note

Tall Tales, Long Shadows.

Bisti Badlands, BLM Wilderness Area, Farmington, New Mexico.

Another shot from these colourful badlands.

Apparently this whole area was once a sea - which can seem like rather a tall tale for those us without a few million years of memory to call upon, basking in the hot evening sun of New Mexico in June, the sea is perhaps the last thing which springs to mind.

This little arch is maybe 10 feet tall, and about the same across. It's one of many extremely delicate formations to be found in this area. Perhaps this photo is not taken from the optimal angle, but to obtain a better view would have required clambering over other equally delicate formations so, if you are ever in this area, please tread with care, and leave the place in tact for those who will come after you.

Also, as the sun dipped ever lower, it became quite difficult to take photographs without including my own shadow - somewhat limiting the available angles onto any scene.

Another Bisti photo: Small Wonders.

avene, dospordostres, berseph, jwmunro, baba_flies has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

avene (10894) 2007-07-25 7:30

normally I'd say I don't like the totally black shadows, particularly this big, but in this shot they somehow seem really appropriate. I guess it's because they emphasise the contrasts in the photo, as well as the thirds (shadows, the rocks, the sky), but also that the total blackness brings out how fragile these formations are. beautiful colours and textures too.
best,
Kristine

Cormac (26449) 2007-07-25 20:29

Wow, very interesting shot! The way you have the shadow of the rock formations on one side of the frame, and the actual rocks on the other is great, and works very well from a compositional point of view as the shadows obviously mirror the actual rocks. I like that high contrast too, which makes this look really sharp. Well done!

chicken (1781) 2007-07-26 1:12

Hmm, can't help myself to be immediatly reminded of the city-scapes in The Jetsons. :-)
I like how you used the shadows here, without the shot would be quite boring (where are the storm-clouds when you need them??).

diafani (668) 2007-07-26 10:33

Very striking shot. Love the shadows, it's almost as if a whole other landscape is waiting to step into the frame.

vincz (19039) 2007-07-26 12:26

Very interesting landscape and light. The play with shadows is great. A very good composition.

dospordostres (1127) 2007-07-27 22:53

Colin,
This photo is great; those formations are almost surreal, and the way you capture colors and shapes is just perfect. When I first saw the thumbnail of this photo I wasn't expecting something as nice as what it's seen here. I can only imagine what the large format file might look like. Thanks for sharing these shots.
daniel

berseph (1758) 2007-08-01 15:30

This is an interesting image Colin.
The shadows I find quite interesting, especially since you managed to get the arch in the view.
I really like the details in the rocks that you pulled out.

jwmunro (6561) 2007-08-05 7:10

Hello Craig -

I am really surprised at how under rated this image is. At first glance I don't like the big black shadow but realizing where you are at and the time of day I can really understand the shadow. It seems to balance the sky - may just a bit more sky and less shadow would do it. Otherwise, the image is spot on the money in all regards. This is one of those places I have go to visit and it is so close to where I live. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

baba_flies (7941) 2009-01-14 4:31

Hello Colin! How nice to leave a comment, I thought you left us :))) but I am thrilled that you have not. I bought the book by the way "Over the Rivers" by Michael Collier (the other one was sold out, I also emailed the University of Utah but they told me the same) and it had arrived, just in time to give it away as a gift. I went through your portfolio again, and you have one of the best and most exciting collections of this area. You HAVE to return! But I understand, no pc available, what happened, where are you? I hope everything is fine! This is a great picture (I have the same opinion as John, totally underrated) and I really love how the shadows play, they have their own important role in your picture. Just so great, I can only learn :))) and return! Warm regards, happy new year (never too late to say that ...), Barbara.