spotlight Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

The darkness of the sky is not from overpolarization. It's as stormy as the sky you might have seen in my Arizona post from about a week ago. Meanwhile, the light on the mountain comes from the sun peeking through an opening in the clouds right behind me. I love those moments and could stand and watch for hours. Unfortunately, such light lasts just for a fleeing moment.

The capture was done on Kolob road, a small mountain top car route leading from Cedar City to Virgin in Utah. Most of the way, the dirt sections of the road hover at around the altitude of 10,000 feet. Hence when the weather does not cooperate, the road becomes impassable for most vehicles includiing SUVs. Despite that, I highly recommend it. The most beautiful section of the road is the one that crosses a remote (for tourist crowds), but stunningly beautiful section of Zion National Park.

Hellas, pauloog, disturbia73, PixelTerror, jlbrthnn, belido, dareco, avene, kokoro-zukai has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

smarcell (14715) 2009-06-11 1:14

You exploited perfectly the marvellous light conditions, with the dark sky and the light on the mountain, which made a perfect contrast.
Regards Stefano

Hellas (5127) 2009-06-11 1:37

Your photography, your passion!
Yes! Stand and watch for hours, as you said!
Vivid light and color on peak contrasting the dark sky! The multiple plans option helps the perspective.

Thanks friend for sharing your happy moments,
Athanasios.

pauloog (7101) 2009-06-11 1:47

Hello Kristaps,
You captured an amazing contrast between the lead dark sky and the sunlit bright hill. Light well managed in this eye-catching view.
Regards,
Paul

disturbia73 (373) 2009-06-11 2:11

Great contrast between the mountain and the backdrop.
Wonderful lighting and very nice stone colours. Great moment.

TFS,

Regards,

Thomas

PixelTerror (87195) 2009-06-11 2:20

Hi Kristaps
I think there are many good reasons to steal this image with the right click "instant piratry" button, or as an equally questionable alternative purchase it from IB... but using it to refresh my US gallery on any site wouldn't work at all because nobody would believe even a second I have ever shot with a Nikon ;-))) Despite this nic eimage with vibrant contrast
Have a nice day (c) 2009 PixelTerror
JY

Bruno40 (6442) 2009-06-11 6:40

Hi Kristaps
really nice one, great contrast of colors and light. The dark sky helps a lot. I love it
well done
Jorge

jlbrthnn (39501) 2009-06-11 7:31

Hello Kristaps,
It is a dazzling image and contrast. I appreciate his simplicity and his effectiveness. What a spectacle! Congratulations.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

Waylim (11339) 2009-06-11 10:53

Hi Kristaps,
Aptly name image. Love the spotlight. Perfectly contrast by the dark stormy sky, Bad weather can a curse, but with a little help of the sunlight on the oposite side. it can creat a stunning and dramatic show of nature. As in this case it is. Perfect timing you got here. Technical quality is all there. Well done my friend. Thanks.
Way

gunbud (28295) 2009-06-11 17:34

Hi Kristaps,
The blue in this sky is similar to what you get when a heavy fog is lifting.
Love the brilliant light on the golden mountains top and the richly textured foreground.
Regards, Tom

Greg1949 (8545) 2009-06-12 7:35

Kristaps, missed this one somehow, suppose I am falling down on looking at my daily favorites mail or something. I really like the dark blue sky and the dark fg, it makes a great shot of a sureal place. Great work.

Greg

belido (17185) 2009-06-12 7:54

Hi Kristaps,

I like a lot your shot, the illuminated mountain pops up in the frame. The stormy sky works well for this. It would not have the same impact if it was a clean day. I just thought that the dinamic range of your camera is good enough to hide some details of that part. Right clicling on your image (yes, this is possible in here) I realized that I was right :) Take a look at the ws. Good to have such a good compo to work with :)
Abraço,
Carlos

[2] [workshop] [compare] +

Wandering_Dan (3329) 2009-06-12 10:17

Hi, Kristaps -

Lovely use of shadows and light, well captured. The balance of spaces is also well done.

Best,
Dan

dareco (17104) 2009-06-12 15:47

Very impressive picture!! Superb lighting, colors and detail. Incredible landscape! TFS

avene (11242) 2009-06-16 21:25

very theatrical indeed, the steel gray sky looks like a stage backdrop for some drama, "Tempest" may be. the light is magic, good timing in capturing it.

behave while I'm gone.

K.

sevy (14114) 2009-06-17 7:53

Hello Kristaps,

The light on the mountain, against the dark storm sky provided a strong and pleasant contrast drawing an attractive photo.
I like the graduation of colors from the bottom to the top of this small mountain.

Yves.

cdmonson (2783) 2009-06-20 22:09

Hi Kristaps:

Fantastic work. That's really all I have to say. You captured perfectly a really fantastic moment, and a fairly rare one in this area of the country. Great job, I'm very impressed.

Clark

kokoro-zukai (6) 2009-06-23 22:27

Hello Kristaps,

What are the chances one can capture such a rare sighting moment. Nature's way to spot on the mountain and a lucky damn trekkie! All worth the wait - excellent reward!

Keiji

maglex (1638) 2009-11-27 8:00

Hi Kristaps. I love that precious light illuminating the peak and its slopes and separating it from the sky and foreground elements. Great color contrast, too! Thanks for sharing...Alex