The Zabriskie Files

[Jeffrey]

I'm referring to the slew of images from Zabriskie Point in Death Valley NP that have recently appeared on this forum. I enjoy seeing such different interpretations of the same scene by different photographers. Ben was discussing saturation levels. I generally try to be photo-realistic with my saturation. Sometimes I use it to pop an object up a bit. In this one, i carefully extracted all the subtle and not even originally seen color and bumped it up more than I would normally do. This is definitely an interpretation, but it made for a fun image. It is also made from a different location than most, after I hiked the narrow faint trail that starts a bit to the right of the usual walk to the point. That allowed me to get Manly Beacon, the valley floor, and 11,049' Telescope Peak all in the frame. Don't hold your comments back.

 

[Zeph]

Great view, I've been on that trail along the north, it's a bit iffy in some places. Love the view you have here, what a place, what a photo...

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Love your interpretation. I went a similar route with my processing of a similar view. I wouldnt hesitate to hang it somewhere nice.

 

[Jim Sanderson]

I like it also. I think it would make a nice print.

 

[AlanLichty]

Very nice Jeffrey - not the usual view everyone takes (self included) and a refreshing change. Hope this one is on one of your walls.

 

[Darcy Grizzle]

Jeffrey this is gorgeous! I agree with everyone, I hope you have it hanging on your wall

 

[Ben Egbert]

Just great Jeffrey. Like some others I have seen, you are a lot closer to the point than I got. It was my first and so far only time there and I had not pre scouted so I did not venture far into the scene.

I love you colors and processing as well as the composition here.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Beautiful, Jeffrey.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Jeffrey,

Yeah, it's been great seeing all of these Zabriskie shots everyone has been posting. And I really like that there is no sense of One-Up-Manship in any of these Zabriskie postings, simply people sharing as a community photos from a location we all have enjoyed. That speaks very well of the members here at FocalWorld!

I like this one of yours quite a bit, the saturation looks fine, you have some nice soft light. Perhaps a bit more space on the right of Manly Beacon would be my only suggestion.

 

[Guy Schmickle]

This is close to where I shot this scene during my one visit there. I couldn't deal with the crowds on the main overlook. Beautiful!

 

[Ryan10]

It is a glorious picture, and for my trip there in March, I too plan on taking that trail hike. I've read it seems a bit treacherous in places. Any comments on the trail?

 

[beavens]

Beautiful, Jeffrey and well within reason in terms of processing!

I am curious as to how the scene would look if you reduced contrast slight and maybe brought up the shadows a *tiny* bit.

I am beginning to sound like a broken record when I say that you Westerners are beyond lucky to have such an array of insanely gorgeous landscape options at your disposal. If I lived out there I would undoubtedly be a landscaper myself!

Jeff

 

[BarryHamilton]

Very nice, Jeffrey! Yes, I wouldn't have gone as far with the saturation, but I still like this a lot. Very cool different point of view!
And the light and contrasts are beautifully rendered!
Title is perfect! We need a new board!!!