John Ford Point Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is the famous view from John Ford Point in Monument Valley. I know that the fisheye perspective may not be to everyone's taste but I think in this case it helps to convey the vastness of the landscape and maybe offer a slightly different view of a very famous scene.
I hadn't originally intended to include the human figure, but I was setting up my camera and carrying out test shots while waiting for the spur of rock to be free and in the end I liked the way the figure provides a sense of scale.

This will be my last post for a while as I'm leaving tomorrow for 2 weeks in Namibia with my new 5D mkII...

Thanks for looking!

BlueRaven, sevy, IgorDeleze, mortijo, avene, Floydian, crhieatt, Fiddlee, Dyerco, luisafonso has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

BlueRaven (35) 2009-04-30 1:45

Hi John,

First of all, thanks a lot for your nice words on my "Kiva" shot.
Wow, this one jumped right at me from the thumbnails. I'm usually not crazy about fisheye shots but it doesn't bother me much here. As you said, it helps capture the immensity of the scenery which is usually very hard to catch in a photograph. Also, I absolutely agree with you on the human figure as it does give a sense of scale. I always try to shoot people-free pictures but sometimes it does add something to the shot.
Superb colours, too, no need to mention that (oops, but I just did). Those clouds are just awesome - great timing!
Thanks for sharing and bringing back memories from my last few trips! Hope you have a great trip to Namibia, and looking forward to your shots from there.

Best wishes
Claudia

KevRyan (22338) 2009-04-30 1:54

For my taste the colours seem a little too vibrant but then in the greyness of a UK spring day it may just be the contrast with my reality!! ;-)

The sense of scale as you say is astounding and the figure does highlight this - a landscape fro dreaming in!

All power to your new camera in Namibia!

bw Kev

sevy (13182) 2009-04-30 2:01

Hello John,

I agree with you about the use of the fisheye. On this shot, The use was justified and translates well the vatness of this place. Moreover, it is drawing lines and curves in the clouds pattern thanks to the huge distortion.
As you can imagine, I appreciate the human presence in the frame: subtle but important to understand the size of this place.
Time to time, I used a fisheye I borrow to a friend, and I notice it is really not an easy lens to use to avoid caricature.
Have a nice travel in Namibia, you will see incredible landscapes there. I will wait for your posts at your comeback.

Yves.

IgorDeleze (9247) 2009-04-30 2:05

Hello John,
The fisheye effect is fantastic.
Great picture!
Greetings.
Igor

dta (4750) 2009-04-30 2:19

Hello John ,*
An outstanding composition, no doubt ! Fantastic POV and colors . I like a lot how the little people gives the scale .
Congratulations

mortijo (12078) 2009-04-30 2:26

This fisheye shot is really nice to look at, although my preference goes to panorama. But in this format the fisheye effect is absolutely minimal. Beautiful landscape with great colors. You were right to include the person on the rock ledge.
Regards
John

Klaracolor (201) 2009-04-30 2:31

Hello John,
I like the fisheye perspective in this picture. Also the colors I like very much. Beautiful!
Greetings,
Klara

dkeus31 (26104) 2009-04-30 2:56

Hi John
original shot made with the fisheye lens!
gorgeous colors
didier

HimalAnda (1046) 2009-04-30 3:22

Hello John,

The colors are very beautiful and the composition too. I like this big rock on which the man stand.
But I don't like the fisheye effect ; I think the picture would have been better with a classical lens. Nevermind, this is a good picture !

Stephane

brano14 (1858) 2009-04-30 3:31

Hello John,
It looks great, that close shot to those green bushes was a good idea, to break a monotony of same color. Also I agree about that figure.
Thanks!
Brano

federico (384) 2009-04-30 3:52

hi john, amazing POV amazing colours, and of course great landscape, the person on the rock gives the measures of this huge place
well done
regards fred

avene (10928) 2009-04-30 7:27

hello John,
if everything goes well, in less than a month I'll be standing somewhere near the spot where you were when taking this shot, cannot wait to see this with my own eyes :) love the shot, the fisheye distortion adds just the right twist to this much-photographed scene, and as far as I'm concerned the presence of person in the frame is essential to help the viewer appreciate the frame. great shot, my compliments.

best,
Kristine

Floydian (30970) 2009-04-30 8:11

Hi John,

A famous point and normally we see it from the other side, but still it looks impressive. Seems you had good weather, but i also see a very strong pp work in boosting up the colours and sky. Not bad, i like that, but i'm not sure about the fisheye, i personal would prefer a stitch image to show the whole landscape, but creative and something else it is for sure.
Have a safe trip to Namibia...

Regards,

Henk

crhieatt (5143) 2009-04-30 14:42

John,

Another winner from the fisheye - extraordinary and extremely worthwhile perspectives in my view. But, then again, it won't fit on the 5DII!!!!! Maybe you could just pop it in the post to me on your way out the door! ;)

Hve a wild trip.
Cheers
Colin

Fiddlee (176) 2009-04-30 16:58

I do love this fisheye shot, and you're absolutely right about the person giving the photo some scale. Great colour and clouds!

Waylim (10717) 2009-04-30 19:49

Hey John,
My favorite location, Monument Valley, Okay not just mine but many other people too, I like this POV, very different from most people, the person do add a little perspective to this place, but I wouldn't miss it without. At least his shirt match the sky color. Great sharpness and clarity, good use of the fish eye lens, to really show the vastness of the landscape scape. The only minor minor thing for me is the saturation is just a little bit over the top. I love intense colors and rich tone, but I think this one is a little bit too much. Anyway, that is really a matter of preference, I have this conversation with Henk and many others, we all draw our line of what is realistic and natural and when is it pushing it too far. And this one looks like you have multiple exposures the distant rock has a bit more red and darker tone than the front, which is brighter and has more yellow tone. Your "American Icon" post to me is just right. Regardless, a wonderful top notch photo. Thanks. It's a great pleasure being among your fav list, I'm in good companies.
Way

yaya13baut (2265) 2009-05-01 6:02

hi John,
an amazing landscape where men feel small, like the person on your picture.
impressive colors.
Yannis

Dyerco (8980) 2009-05-01 7:45

Hi John
Well done. I think the person was really needed here as it does as you say add scale. I am planning to be in this area in Sept with my wide angle as well.

So switching from Nikon to Canon eh? The 5D mkII is a nice camera and I have my eye on it too.
Enjoy your trip to Namibia.
Phil

mirarer (4294) 2009-05-01 9:18

Hola John,
Además del espléndido paisaje el punto de vista le otorga grandiosidad, así como la presencia de esa persona que nos ayuda a hacernos una idea de sus verdaderas dimensiones.
Soberbia imagen.
Saludos,
Mirari

SteveH (3879) 2009-05-02 23:34

Hi John, for me the fisheye was a good choice, making the image very striking. As others have said the inclusion of the person was a master stroke and that he was central in the image with the fisheye effect going on around him, focuses attention on him and helps to imagine being there. Cheers, Steve

chawax (5849) 2009-05-03 13:04

Hi John,
Wow ! Incredible picture ! A fantastic view, with this man
that looks so little and gives an idea how huge this landscape is ! The depth of field is incredible and the colours are outstanding ! Sky is great too. Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Olivier

Philippe (11745) 2009-05-04 2:58

Hi, John. The ornage tones of the desert are really beautiful and I like the green plants in the foreground that add a nice contrast. The person on the rocks scales the picture very well. The landscape stands nicely out against the sky.
Have a nice trip in Namibia,
Philippe

luisafonso (858) 2009-05-04 9:44

Wonderful colors. Looks like a Velvia... The composition is amazing with that giant balcony in the foreground. That tiny blue ant in the edge of it is priceless. A great one! Going to Namibia with a Mark II? I wish...

cherryripe (18869) 2009-05-04 12:23

Hi John
Pixelterror unfortunately transferred the sad news to me via Face Book. Yes it's a sad day when someone leaves Nikon for Canon ;-) Why didn't you go for the D700. My husbands' got it and is really happy.
Anyway back to your stunning Nikon photo. I just love the colours and contrast between the sand/rock and sky. The placement of the man sure adds scale. What makes me really happy is to see that it's possible to have a great light at that time of year as I'll be there at approximately the same time this year.
Regards
Nikki