Temple of Virgins and a View from Scout Lookout, Zion NP

The Temple of Virgins, Zion NP. The clouds were moving quickly and the lighting was changing rapidly while I was taking pictures from the museum observation spot. It was very pleasant to just watch the changing colors on the sandstone, not as dramatic as a sunrise/sunset but still worthwhile.

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I really like the one from the Lookout. I stop at the Museum alot and it is tough to get the lighting right for the "Temple", the clouds really make the picture.

Thanks,
Win

The first shot is instantly stunning, but then as I looked more I feel like it could use a little hlp in PS. Maybe just a bit more contrast, but I think some light Shadow & Highlights followed by contrast. Beautiful shot, just the same.

Thanks for the comments. The first is a composite of two different exposures blended in PS, the clouds/sky were much brighter that the canyon walls. Beside the blending using a mask, it was PP'd with shadow/highlight (+contrast), curves, and hue/saturation. Because of the flat lighting, the original contrast wasn't very high. I'm still not sure about how much S/H to use, bring out the the shadows tends to flatten the rest and contrast does always bring it back.

I will try some additional PPing. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Thanks,
Jeff

Sick pictures man! I really like them.

-Jalal

Very nice colours in the FG of the #1 but the mountain need a little boost in PP. Second shot is even better but again, needs a boost.

What and where is NP? Never heard of it. Looks very impressive!

montreal wrote in post #2202801
What and where is NP? Never heard of it. Looks very impressive!

Sorry, NP is National Park. I'm a typical American that thinks everyone would know that . Zion National Park is located southern Utah. The town of Springdale is next to the park.

Jeff

I would increase the contrast in #1, especially in the mountains in the back. Otherwise I like it a lot, good composition. The second one could benefit from a tad more contrast, but it looks really harsh and isnt as niec as the first shot.

A little bit of tweaks....

Shadow & Highlights
- Shadows 10/30/30
- Highlights 10/30/30
- Color Correct +100
- Midtone Contrast +10 (The "secret" to not losing contrast with S&H - but it doesn't always work)

Then a smidgeon of sharpening...

Smart Sharpen
- Amount 50%
- Radius 0.2
- Shadows
--- Fade 0%
- Highlights
--- Fade 100%
--- Tonal Width 100
--- Radius 1

Thanks for the comments, I need to be pushed a bit. I tend to like the color to be a be muted and sometimes don't go far enough. C&C on thiese is encouraged.

jdkeck wrote in post #2202928
Sorry, NP is National Park. I'm a typical American that thinks everyone would know that .

Oops I should have thought of that I thought Zion was a city and NP a state, but I couldn't remember of a state that had those initials

Great pics. And I like the edit on the first one.

jdkeck wrote in post #2203140
I tend to like the color to be a be muted and sometimes don't go far enough. ... I may have gone a bit too far the other way.

It's all very subjective, and a matter of taste. And you are the photographer!

More great shots, Jeff, in all the variations.

Scottes wrote in post #2203206
It's all very subjective, and a matter of taste. And you are the photographer!

Yes, but constructive comments can expand boundaries. Sometimes I will try something new or different because of suggestions and I have always learned from the suggestion. I may not care for the change, but I have learned new PS PP skills. I have learned a lot from posting photos on POTN.

Thanks for your advice.

Jeff