I am not satisfied with the results of yesterday’s morning shoot, in the cloud muted, dispersed sunrise light. So this morning, Daniel and I return to the plateau area, where Daniel found me yesterday.
Sunrise light is much better this morning.
Golden Hour Sunrise on a north Bisti Plateau. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 48mm, f/16, 0.4s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules.Golden Hour on a North Bisti Plateau. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 50mm, f/16, 1/5s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules. Helicon focus stack of 4 images.Golden Hour Light on a North Bisti Plateau. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 70mm, f/16, 1/5s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules. Helicon focus stack of 6 images.
After the initial sunrise shots, we wander around the local area shooting a few other features.
Hoodoo Wash. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 35mm, f/16, 1/8s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules.A double layer Hoodoo. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 70mm, f/16, 1/6s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules.Bisti Wash. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 32mm (before crop), f/16, 1/5s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules.
During post processing, I’m experimenting with selective colorization of a monochrome image. The original image after cropping is above. The final product is below.
Bisti monochrome with Selective Colorization. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 32mm (before crop), f/16, 1/5s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules.
This is not a great image for such experimentation, but the original image was dull, so I think a little creative editing may yield something of interest. In my opinion, the monochrome version with the selective colorization is more interesting than the original, but still not a great photo. I am open to other opportunities to explore this editing technique.
Daniel wants to revisit a few of the large wing like hoodoos that I had taken him to yesterday, so we continue across a deep wash to the opposite side, stopping by The Seal and other large neighboring hoodoos.
By now the warm morning light is gone. I shoot a number of images of The Seal and its neighbors from various view points. These images are good references for another visit, during a golden hour.
The Seal. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 48mm, f/16, 1/50s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules.Alligator or Lizard Hoodoo (my names). Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 58mm, f/16, 1/40s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules.The Seal. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 70mm, f/16, 1/40s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules. Helicon focus stack of 3 images.The Seal and Neighbors. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 30mm, f/16, 1/40s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules. Helicon focus stack of 9 images.
The slope to climb up to get near these features is steep and composed of dry, crumbly clay soil, which is difficult to walk on without slipping and sliding. At least it is dry and not muddy.
Hoodoo near The Seal. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 40mm, f/16, 1/30s-1/40s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules. Helicon focus stack of 3 images.The Seal and Others. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 48mm, f/16, 1/30s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules. Helicon focus stack of 6 images.
It is evident that these rock features look entirely different from various view points.
The Seal and Others. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 50mm (before crop), f/16, 1/25-1/30s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules. Helicon focus stack of 6 images.
We hike on through the wash below The Seal, going past the Conversing Hoodoos and the area around those very distinctive features.
Stair Step Hoodoos. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 42mm, f/16, 1/30s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules.North Bisti Hoodoos. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 42mm, f/16, 1/60s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules. Helicon focus stack of 6 images.North Bisti Hoodoos. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 32mm, f/16, 1/25s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules. Helicon focus stack of 7 images.Conversing Hoodoos. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm at 24mm, f/16, 1/60s, ISO 64. Edited in Adobe Lightroom and DxO Nik modules. Helicon focus stack of 7 images.
By the time we get to this area, the sun is fairly high and the colors in the rock layers are mostly washed out. Having seen these features in golden hour light, I can at least claim to be trying to emulate that light, in this heavily processed image.
We return to the north parking area for coffee and breakfast. Afterwards, Daniel drives away to continue his tour of the US southwest, heading for The Grand Canyon’s north rim. I hope Daniel enjoys the rest of his visit to the US, makes many photographs and acquires good memories of his visit.
