Tone-mapped AZ image

[Couchrocket]

I posted a version of this image earlier when we were sharing our AZ flower trip photos. I wasn't happy with anything that I had done with this image, so decided to see what a tone-mapped (incorrectly called HDR) image might look like. I liked the result a lot. This image was shot using a 400 mm lens, ergo the perspective was very compressed. Tone-mapping seemed to open it up a bit and even "put back" a little bit of reality / three-dimensionality in an essentially non-literal image treatment. Photomatix was the software used to manipulate the RAW file.

 

I keep coming back to this image because of the tear-shaped cave that almost appears to be weeping. I'm not a good guesser on heights, but this scene was several hundred feet "straight up" the cliff side in Organ Pipe National Monument I'm sure it must have a formal name of some sort.

 

[Twisties]

That's really good Scott. If you really want to see how good, I could post mine. Suffice it to say that the detail and sharpness in your image, capturing even the texture of the rock, is markedly better than what I got with a 300 mm hand held.

 

You also have much better expression of the tonality than I can achieve.

 

The only thing I would do different is process the cave just a bit darker.

[Couchrocket]

is process the cave just a bit darker

 

I've been thinking the same thing. Your comment validates!!! Thanks.

 

I think I shot this at 400mm, also hand-held. The in-body IS on the A900 really seems effective.

 

S.